Author name: Tola Tem

TDSO is pleased to welcome two new team members, Sayuon Hien as an English Teacher and Chendara Keo as a Data Manager. They bring their skills and experience to support TDSO’s work in teacher development and educational programmes. We look forward to having them contribute to our team and collaborate with colleagues towards our shared goals. Their arrival marks another step in the continued development of TDSO’s team as we strengthen our work in education and support for teachers.

TDSO participated in the 1st International Forum on 21st Century Teacher Education (IFTEC 2026), hosted by Battambang Teacher Education College (BTEC) on 18–19 October 2026. As a co-sponsor, conference participant and Book Fair exhibitor, TDSO joined education professionals to exchange perspectives on teacher professional development, foundational learning and STEM innovation. The forum provided an opportunity to strengthen professional connections and explore how collaboration can support relevant teacher preparation and sustained professional development in Cambodia.

Applications are now open for TDSO’s Interactive Teacher Training Programme 2026–2027. Designed for early-career and pre-service English teachers, as well as teachers from informal schools and NGOs, the programme focuses on practical teaching strategies and classroom techniques. The 20-week programme will run every Saturday from 08:00 to 11:00 at the TDSO campus in Siem Reap, starting 7 November 2026. Participation is free, with only 25 places available. Applicants will take a placement test before the programme begins.

On Teacher’s Day, TDSO reflects on why teacher development matters beyond the teacher. More than 500 students attend TDSO Practice School every day, giving us a direct view of how teachers’ knowledge, decisions and daily practice influence students’ learning. As TDSO works towards training 2,000 public school teachers each year, the potential reach extends to more than 80,000 students. Behind these numbers are classrooms, teachers and students, reminding us why continuous learning, reflection and improvement matter.

TDSO’s team spent three days reviewing the term’s work, examining evidence, raising concerns and developing practical solutions for the term ahead. The reflection identified a key priority: spending more time with trainees in the classroom. By selecting more teachers from fewer schools and strengthening coordination with school principals, TDSO aims to improve follow-up while reducing travel time. As our programmes expand, systematic reflection, evidence and continuous improvement remain central to maintaining quality as we scale.

In early September, the LaoCYDA management team visited TDSO Cambodia to experience our teacher development approach first-hand. Beyond the training room, they visited classrooms to see how TDSO-trained teachers apply their learning in practice. The visit provided an opportunity to exchange experiences, explore approaches to teacher development, and reflect on how lessons from Cambodia could inform future work in Laos. Hear directly from the LaoCYDA team about what they discovered during their visit.

Sokunthea Neang, a Grade 11 student at 10 January 1979 High School and a TDSO Practice School student since 2017, has won First Prize in the University of Southeast Asia English Public Speaking Competition 2026. Competing against 68 students from 15 public and private high schools, Sokunthea demonstrated the English skills and confidence she has developed through years of learning with TDSO. Her achievement is a proud moment for Sokunthea, her school and the TDSO team who have supported her journey.

TDSO is hiring a Data Manager to support the accurate and effective management of programme data across our teacher development programmes. The role will maintain reliable datasets, conduct data cleaning and validation, produce reports and data extracts, and support evidence-based programme monitoring and decision-making. We are looking for a detail-oriented professional with strong data management, spreadsheet and analytical skills, and experience working with databases or related systems. The position is based in Siem Reap and is offered full-time.

TDSO welcomes Mr. Vilasai Thammavong, Director of LAOCYDA, his assistant, and two Lao trainers to Siem Reap for an intensive four-week Training of Trainers programme. Through classroom observations, practical training and engagement with TDSO trainers, the Lao trainers will experience TDSO’s approach to teacher development in practice. The programme provides an opportunity to learn, reflect and explore how these approaches can be adapted to the Lao context, supporting the development of effective teacher training in Laos.

TDSO is delighted to welcome Mr Kimchhy Sour to the team as our new English Language Trainer. We are pleased to have him join our growing team and look forward to the experience, ideas and skills he will bring to our work. His contribution will support our commitment to strengthening English language teaching and professional development. We wish Kimchhy every success in his new role and look forward to working together to create meaningful learning opportunities for teachers and communities across Cambodia.