From math tutor to mom

In late October, Zhang Limei's 10 years as a math tutor and teaching researcher at TAL Education Group ended abruptly. She is now a stay-at-home mother, looking after her two children. The youngest, a boy, is 2, while the older child, a girl, attends a primary school.

"I considered quitting my job to look after my two children, who were cared for by their grandparents, but I just loved my work too much to end it," Zhang said. She added that she even stayed at her post until just a few days before she gave birth to her second child.

The company started laying off employees in late August, and a second batch of colleagues left a month later. "It was very hard for me to say goodbye as I have so many beautiful memories at the company," Zhang said.

On Sept 10, Teacher's Day in China, Zhang's colleagues got together to celebrate their last such event as a team. Many of her peers cried because they knew that it would be difficult for them to meet again, Zhang said.

Since she left the company, she has focused most of her attention on her home, looking after the toddler and taking her daughter to interest groups.

"I still miss my job very much, especially the close relationships with my colleagues, being able to interact with people constantly and the sense of achievement from completing difficult tasks," she said.