Day: September 10, 2023

Our Fellowship Program has a simple but important goal: to make sure our alumni continue making positive changes in the Thai education system. Our alumni bring valuable skills and experiences to their various careers. Many of them go on to learn more, work in corporates, and more than half are actively involved in education, especially in areas like education policy, educational innovation, and school leadership. This ongoing involvement has led to significant improvements in the broader education system.

The importance of working together to bring about big changes is nicely explained by White-Suwimon Watanapa, a current graduate student at King’s College London. She points out that while different teaching methods can work well in classrooms, having the right rules and policies in place is essential increating a good learning environment.

“Sometimes, we come up with creative solutions, but having the right rules and policies is necessary to make them work well. Working on these policies can have a big impact, especially when we all work together. It can achieve even better results than working alone.”

“Khru Friend, have made a real impact on students’ confidence when they approach teachers and understand their challenges. This led to more resources for Wang Nuea Wittaya School,” shared Tewin Yenjai, the Director of the school in Lampang Province. He praised Chaiyawin Sutthiboon, an 8th-cohort fellow, for teaching science and offering psychological counseling, providing extra support to students.

“Teach For Thailand teachers are skilled and modern, focusing on skills, participation, and sparking ideas in children,” he added. “After students spoke with school administrators, we saw improvements – they were more open to talking to teachers, and a platform was created for personal and various issue questions.”

Collaborating with schools and communities is a core part of our mission to broaden our impact. For Teach For Thailand, leadership means taking the right actions to drive progress for themselves and others. Fellows use leadership to develop themselves, their students, and the community.

“Khru Ving often says ‘You Can Do It,’ and that was when I thought I couldn’t help my friends on the team with anything. But then I began thinking about what I could do,” echoed Job, one of a fellow’s students. He studied with Ving – Panisara Suksraem, a 3rd cohort fellow. This statement reflects her unique teaching style.

“Without Khru Ving, I might have stayed closed-minded, fearing new things, sticking to what I’m good at, and staying in my comfort zone.”

From her first week at the school, Ving had important tasks. For instance, a group of students asked for advice on making a short film because they knew she had filming experience.