By Jennifer Markides, Grade 3-2 Teacher
Ms. Fester and I had the great privilege of travelling to Cambodia for a professional learning opportunity this month. It was an opportunity to learn alongside a professional role model, Marilyn King, in a unique school experience. The classrooms were barebones, yet the teaching was rich. The students were engaged, challenged and supported throughout the lessons. The teachers worked in dynamic teaching teams with an English-speaking teacher and Khmer teacher both responsible for planning and implementing lessons in partnership.
Grace House is an NGO run school just minutes outside Siem Reap. The school provides education in English for the most needy families from the three closest villages. They have grown from one classroom in 2008 to having six classrooms, a library, an on-site staffed social work office and a well-received electrician vocational program at present. The school founders continue to look for needs within the community and strive for ways to support the citizens from the local communities.
The contrasts between TIS and Grace House are many. However, similarities do exist. Students are often learning a second language, English, for the opportunities it affords. In Cambodia, students learn English to procure jobs in the tourism industry; in Macau, students attending TIS pursue post secondary education at some of the most prestigious universities around the world. Education continues to play an important role in improving and sustaining one’s quality of life.
We cannot help but feel inspired by the resourcefulness, joyfulness and resiliency of the students at Grace House. Students get themselves to school – on foot or by bike; they play games in the schoolyard and brush their teeth during recess. We were surprised to learn that many students have not traveled to the neighbouring villages, let alone the tourist-filled cities or world famous temples.
Other learning took place outside school hours, such as watching an eight-year old student preparing the fish sold by her family at the market just 15 minutes after finishing school for the day. She waved goodbye to us, while flicking the scales off of her sweater. In conversations with staff, we also learned that health class includes teaching the students about landmine safety. The realities of poverty and war are evident in Cambodian culture, even in the lives of the children.
In addition to our days at Grace House, we also visited historical sites, saw traditional Apsara dancing and participated in a Buddhist water blessing. Thank you to all of the people who made this opportunity possible; the experience has truly changed our lives, personally and professionally.
