Research on the Historical Evolution and Contemporary Inheritance of the Spirit of Modern and Contemporary Chinese Educators
Ding Hang

Nanjing University, Nanjing Jiangsu Province, 210000；

Abstract：The educators´ spirit is the spiritual pillar of education development and value guide for teachers´ professional growth. Current academic research focuses on contemporary practical paths but lacks systematic tracing of its historical evolution, resulting in insufficient historical depth. By integrating historical, literature and comparative research methods, this paper divides its modern development into four stages: Enlightenment and Exploration (1840-1919), System Formation (1919-1949), Transformation and Adjustment (1949-1978), and Innovative Development (1978-present). It reveals four core elements via analyzing each stage´s social background, policies, representative figures and core ideas: patriotism and national sentiment, professional pursuit, humanistic care, and innovative spirit, with connotations enriched with the times. The study identifies five driving mechanisms: social transformation, educational practice, cultural inheritance, personal characteristics, and policies and institutions. It proposes contemporary inheritance paths based on historical experiences, providing historical and theoretical support for building a high-quality teaching team and a strong education country.

Keywords: Spirit of Educators; Historical Evolution; Modern and Contemporary Education; Teachers´ Professional Development; Educational Inheritance

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