Yu Linya, principal of Hangzhou Yanglingzi School. [Photo/hangzhou.com.cn]

Yu Linya, principal of Hangzhou Yanglingzi School, was recently featured on local media because of her commitment to the education of mentally handicapped students for 25 years.

Her school, which has a garden-style campus with barrier-free facilities, has been honored as a special education model at the national level. The school's operations have also been highlighted by State-owned China Central Television several times.

Yu (first from left) poses with her student. [Photo/hangzhou.com.cn]

Yu is also the founder of "Wisdom Tree," China's first vocational training agency for mentally handicapped people. To date, the agency has helped over 50 students find jobs and live independently.

For her outstanding achievements, Yu has been awarded by the Zhejiang provincial government with titles including "provincial senior teacher" and "leader of Hangzhou's special education."