At REACH, we believe that empowering our teachers is the key to unlocking the full potential of our students. Our approach to professional development and capacity building of our teachers emphasises peer-to-peer learning and collaborative growth; both within our local team, but also through partnerships with external organisations and support from dedicated international volunteers and interns.
We actively seek opportunities for our teachers to engage in external training. Partnerships with organisations like the Teachers Development Support Organisation (TDSO) and Online Courses Australia (OCA) provide our teachers with access to specialised training and topics. These external trainings broaden our teachers’ perspectives and equip them with the latest knowledge and skills to excel in their roles.
Additionally, through our Placements Program, we’re very fortunate to have volunteers with diverse backgrounds visit us and offer their support by sharing their skills and experience with our team. Veronica, a recent volunteer and Ride to REACH participant, recently joined our team to create and conduct a Teacher Training session about Classroom Management in collaboration with our Head Teacher, Sokun.
Veronica’s Experience
Back in Australia, Veronica works as Head of Mission & Community at Merici College Braddon. Her experience within the field of education has equipped her with enough knowledge and resources to jump straight into the training preparation as soon as she arrived in Cambodia. During the first session, she experienced firsthand the power of teachers training teachers: “There’s something deeply humbling about stepping into a room of teachers from a different culture, all eager to share, learn, and grow together,” she shares. “My recent time at REACH in Siem Reap brought this into sharp focus where I have had the privilege of working alongside Cambodian teachers shaping young people’s lives in their community. The idea of teachers training teachers isn’t new, but its power lies in the shared experiences and mutual learnings that emerge. Despite coming from different countries and education systems, I quickly understood that many of the challenges and joys we face as educators are universal. From classroom management to fostering engagement, the core of what we do – empowering our students to achieve their full potential – connects us all.”
Veronica further explains, “What struck me most during my time at REACH was how much I gained from the experience. While I came prepared to offer tools and strategies, I also left with new perspectives and ideas that could only come from listening to one’s peers. The sharing of ideas didn’t stop at structured training sessions or, indeed, lesson observations; but spilled into informal conversations and reflections, sparking discussions that flowed naturally into classroom practices. This kind of peer-to-peer learning is incredibly powerful. Teachers bring their unique experiences, cultural lenses, and creativity into the space, creating an environment where knowledge isn’t just transmitted but built together. In this context, everyone has something valuable to contribute. As educators, we understand the importance of lifelong learning. Working with the teachers at REACH reminded me that the best professional growth often happens in moments of connection – when we open ourselves up to learning from others. Teaching is a universal language, and when we speak it together, the impact is profound. I will undoubtedly be back, drawn by the impactful work REACH continues to do in lifting families out of poverty and empowering students to pursue hope-filled and promising futures. Their efforts are a testament to the transformative power of education, offering opportunities and building brighter pathways for young people and their families in Cambodia. It is truly a privilege to be able to play a small part in this journey, and I look forward to deepening this partnership in the future.”
Veronica’s experience exemplifies the mutual benefit of this approach. Our teachers not only gain valuable insights from international volunteers but also contribute their own expertise and local knowledge, enriching the learning experience for all.
Resource & Knowledge Sharing
Besides Veronica, our community of long-term international volunteers also consists of dedicated curriculum developers. Our ongoing curriculum development projects have been significantly enriched by the invaluable contributions of various long-term volunteers; one of them being Rhonda. Her consistent support has been incredibly helpful in shaping our educational offerings.
Rhonda has dedicated herself to supporting our English Let’s Go Curriculum project, designed for daytime students. Her weekly visits to REACH have made it possible for our internal curriculum development team to reach their goals and deadlines faster, as well as helping our teachers to prepare all resources in time for the new semester.
She has provided invaluable guidance in aligning our curriculum with best practices, while including new and fun games and activities in our lesson plans. She has meticulously reviewed existing materials, observed classes, and had insightful discussion with the team.
The impact of our long-term volunteers and their contributions extends far beyond their onsite visits to REACH. The valuable resources they are creating will be incredibly valuable for our teachers and students for many years to come.
This collaborative effort therefore ensures that our students receive a high-quality education that is both relevant, engaging, and tailored to their unique learning styles.
The Placements Program in 2025
In 2025, we are introducing a new approach within our Placements Program, offering 4 distinct placement options that support 4 ongoing projects, with a preference for long-term commitment (at least 1 month). These are:
- Curriculum Development & Review: Focus on reviewing English grammar, developing lesson plans, resources, and/or teacher training for our teachers in collaboration with our Education Team.
- Community Workshops/ First Aid /Medical: Focus on developing educational workshops for the community in collaboration with our Outreach Team, and/or supporting our First Aid Officer in the First Aid Room.
- Marketing & Social Media Support: Focus on fundraising, communications, and marketing support, as well as the development of social media content.
- Extra-Curricular & Operational Support: Focus on supporting day-to-day operational activities such as extra-curricular classes (sports, art, mindfulness), vegetable harvesting, cooking in the kitchen, sorting donations, etc.
Our Placements Program aims to raise awareness of the ways in which volunteers and interns can create a positive impact without being disruptive to the community and, importantly, without violating our strict child protection policies.
In line with our locally driven approach, and focus on long-term sustainability, it is important to our organisation that every program is delivered to our students and families by our team. For this reason, the Placements Program has been set up in a way that complements our existing efforts by enabling volunteers and interns to share their skills and passion in the same way that Veronica & Rhonda have done.
Click here to learn more about our Placements Program.
