On December 11, 2025, Tecumseh Elementary honoured Vivian Jung. In 1950, Jung became the first Chinese person hired by VSB. She taught at Tecumseh Elementary for 35 years. The school unveiled a mural, designed by artists Janet Wang and Stella Zheng, celebrating her legacy. Tecumseh students helped with the project. 

Tecumseh’s Vivian Jung Celebration included a poetry reading, a tribute from Lance Carey (a former colleague of Jung’s), a word from the artists, a tribute from Cynthia Kent (Jung’s daughter) and a choir performance of “The Wind Beneath My Wings.” Videos were also screened during the event, including one that featured the full mural and several detailed scenes within the intricate design.

The mural

The mural features isometric perspective (visual representations of three-dimensional objects in two dimensions) and incorporates monoprints from one classroom in every grade. “It’s similar to the Sims where nothing really gets smaller as things are farther away, so you get an even look at everything in the mural,” says Zheng. “There was so much to try and capture, and this was a nice way to do that,” adds Wang.

Artists Stella Zheng and Janet Wang

Wang says that the patterns featured in the mural (seen on clothing, trees and in various objects within the piece) were inspired by those worn by Jung and her contemporaries during the 70s and 80s. The mural is vast, spanning roughly 10 feet and features scenes of Jung and students:  from Jung’s younger years as a student teacher, to the infamous incident due to the segregation policy at Crystal Pool, to her teaching Tai Chi during retirement. In the mural, all the Vivians are wearing red. Red symbolizes luck in Chinese culture and according to Wang, is a colour that stands out clearly from the overall composition. Through this exercise, students worked collaboratively to research about what life was like in Vancouver during the 1950s-1980s and studied patterns that were popular during those decades.

Student projects and artwork featuring Vivian Jung

“The mural’s theme centres around the life of the spaces that connect our school across time, from Vivian Jung’s era to ours. Students examined the prints on the clothing from photos of Tecumseh staff and students from Vivian Jung’s days and made patterned prints of their own that are used in the mural,” says Tilia Prior, Tecumseh teacher and Vivian Jung celebration committee member.

Jung’s lasting impact

Born in Merritt, British Columbia during the early 1920s, Jung chose a career in teaching despite not knowing if she would be hired as a teacher. She began her teaching career at tail end of the Chinese exclusion act, when all those of Chinese descent were barred from entry to Canada. Exclusionary hiring practices were still in place for certain professions.

“Some of her family and friends said, ‘Vivian, why do you want to train to become a teacher? You’re not going to get a job,’” recalls Kent (Jung’s daughter). “But she was young, what did she have to lose?”

Kent is grateful for the Tecumseh school community and how they’ve chosen to honour her mother. Upon seeing the mural for the first time, Kent says she was a bit overwhelmed. She instantly recognized her mother’s “physical presence.” Jung was known to be athletic, teaching physical education classes during her time at Tecumseh and then teaching Tai Chi during her retirement.

Jung's family pictured. Cynthia Kent is second from right. 

Kent notes her mother never spoke about her experiences with discrimination or the fact that she was the first Chinese teacher hired by VSB. In fact, the Crystal Pool story only surfaced during an interview Jung almost declined.

When asked what her mother’s legacy is, Kent believes her mother would like to be remembered as someone who valued education for everyone. “She loved being a teacher, it gave her honour and satisfaction,” Kent reflects.  

Although it has been two decades since Jung walked the halls of Tecumseh, students are still affected by her impact. “The mural means a lot to me because someone really honourable in this city taught at our school,” says grade 7 student, Franz.

Jung’s life also had an impact on many teachers throughout Vancouver, including Prior who also serves as anti-racism co-lead at Tecumseh. “As a Chinese Canadian and a teacher, myself, there’s personal meaning to her story.”

Thanks to the work of artists Wang and Zheng as well as Tecumseh’s students and staff, Jung’s legacy will continue to reverberate through the very hallways she once occupied.

 Vivian Jung mural postcard

A limited number of postcards (pictured above) featuring the Vivian Jung mural are still available for purchase. Your purchase will support the Vivian Jung Project and future anti-racism initiatives at Tecumseh. Please provide payment through the following School Cash Online link, and the school will contact you regarding pickup.