Inspiring the Classroom with a Sense of Possibility
After completing the two-year Teach For Thailand (TFT) Fellowship Program, many TFT Alumni continue to drive positive change in Thai education. One such group currently works at the Faculty of Learning Sciences and Education (LSEd) at Thammasat University. They are Som, Ann, and Sun, all from the first TFT cohort.
“If we don’t play our parts, the education system loses the possibility of something new,” Som shared.
“In every society, there are resources and potential. If access [to these resources] becomes available to more people, then a better education system can be achieved.”
Som started working at LSEd in 2016. With her first student cohort having just graduated, she is now recruiting LSEd’s 8th batch. Som works both as a teacher, responsible for welfare education, learning design, and classroom management for Secondary education (Mathayom 1 – 6), and as a manager overseeing students’ physical and mental well-being.
Striving to mobilize change wasn’t an easy task.
“Systematic change is already tough for Thai education. When it comes to the operational level, we need to carefully choose which areas to improve.”
“And we need a team: friends and leaders who join us. Without them, it’s even more difficult.”
Sun also shared his experiences and impact.
“I see myself as a change agent at the classroom and school levels. I can design and maximize classroom potential, build on my knowledge towards educational innovation, or assist with school affairs and teacher development.”
He views himself as a small part of the Thai educational landscape.
“From working and attending workshops with other teachers, both from our school and from other schools, there are so many of them who are determined to use their skills to mobilize Thai education. They love teaching and their students. I’m only a small part: I can amplify their message and do my best at what I can.”
Change, according to Sun, should happen at both the operational and systematic levels.
“On the operational level, we need to maintain our standards, as in any school, there will be challenges. That’s how we create change in our classrooms.”
“On a systematic level, we need an exemplary school to lead the change.”
For Ann, she envisions herself, in the next 5-10 years, fully realizing her potential.
“I love working, and equality is a passion of mine. I also want to change the misperceptions about teachers – having been one, now I truly understand them.”
“I chose this career path because I love learning, and I aspire to achieve the impossible.”
The three TFT alumni nurture a sense of possibility in one another, inspiring them to push forward for change in the education system. Starting with their classrooms, Som, Ann, and Sun believe that equality is possible in Thai education.
“Seeing the change in our school, we’re inspired to continue forward. We value what we’re doing for others which has fulfilled us,” concluded Ann.
