叶连平：烛光成炬照亮乡村教育

Core Viewpoint - The article highlights the inspiring story of Ye Lianping, a 98-year-old rural teacher who continues to teach and mentor students, emphasizing the importance of education in bridging the urban-rural divide in China [1][5]. Group 1: Ye Lianping's Teaching Journey - Ye Lianping celebrated his 98th birthday and delivered a lesson to new volunteer teachers, addressing common mistakes in language usage that reflect broader educational challenges in rural areas [1]. - After retiring in 1991, Ye continued to teach as a substitute and has dedicated 25 years to tutoring over 2,000 left-behind children in his community [2]. - He established the "Ye Lianping Scholarship Fund" with over 20,000 yuan of his savings, distributing more than 500,000 yuan to reward over 460 students [3]. Group 2: Community Impact and Initiatives - Ye Lianping's dedication has inspired many others to join the teaching and support efforts for rural children, leading to the establishment of various volunteer initiatives [4]. - The "Ye Lianping Workstation" was set up to promote educational values and support young teachers, with seven schools participating in the initial phase [5]. - The community is encouraged to embody Ye Lianping's spirit of dedication and service, fostering a culture of educational commitment among teachers [6].