Who We Are
The Teacher Development Support Organization, formerly know as The Angkor Tree Project, is the result of long term cooperation between enthusiastic Cambodian teachers and various western supporters. The project has its roots in Cambodia and is run by the people in Cambodia. The western partners give their support and help where they can.
It all started as a small initiative, providing free English classes to neighbourhood kids. Under a thatched roof, protected from the scorching heat of the tropical sun and sheltered from the sometimes heavy rain showers, kids discovered the richness and joy of acquiring English as a second language.
As demand grew, we transformed the living room into a second classroom. A second teacher joined the team. And when we had to add another classroom, not more than a few weeks later, we experienced that the real challenge was finding well-trained teachers.
We decided to provide training to our own staff, and why not, to make these training sessions also available for teachers in other NGOs. The Teacher Training Centre was born!
A professional teacher-trainer joined the young team, and suddenly things went at warp speed; the number of teachers requesting to join the training sessions increased rapidly. At the same time, we decided to add Language training for teachers to our portfolio.
The pandemic has catapulted education into the 21st century! Computers, the internet, distance learning, blended learning …it all became a necessity. IT literacy has become an absolute necessity for all those involved in education, especially teachers. Hence our IT-training programs.
Our Vision
At The Teacher Development Support Organisation, we firmly believe that every child has the fundamental right to a trained teacher. We understand that no child should be forced to beg or work, and they should be entitled to enjoy their childhood – to learn, play, make friends, and grow in a safe and happy environment.
With this core belief at the heart of our mission, we are dedicated to ensuring that all children, regardless of their circumstances or location, have access to well-trained and qualified teachers. We believe that a trained teacher can make an immense difference in a child’s life, providing them with the guidance, knowledge, and support they need to thrive academically and emotionally.
Aligned with the United Nations’ sustainable development goals, we are committed to primarily contributing to the goal of quality education. Our mission is to ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all children. By focusing on the importance of a trained teaching workforce, we aim to empower teachers with the necessary skills and expertise to create nurturing and impactful learning environments.
Furthermore, we recognize the significance of multilingual education as a crucial lever in providing learners with access to high-quality educational opportunities. By embracing multilingual education, we equip teachers with the tools to cater to diverse learners and foster cross-cultural understanding and communication.
Through our dedication to nurturing well-trained teachers and advocating for quality education, we envision a world where every child’s right to a trained teacher is realized, and they are provided with the education and support they deserve to reach their full potential. Together, we can transform the lives of children, shaping a brighter and more promising future for generations to come.
Our Mission
At our teacher training and learning centre in Siem Reap, Cambodia, we are dedicated to empowering educators and fostering the holistic development of children and adolescents. Our mission operates on two fronts: teacher training and a student learning centre.
Our teacher training programs focus on equipping educators with the skills and knowledge they need to excel. We provide high-quality professional development, training in innovative teaching methods and effective classroom management, as well as workshops and mentoring to foster continuous learning. Our goal is to create skilled, compassionate educators who deeply understand child development and are committed to lifelong learning themselves, inspiring a culture of continuous improvement in the education sector.
Our learning centre provides a nurturing environment for children and adolescents. We offer language classes and create a safe, inclusive space for exploration and growth. We emphasise opportunities for critical thinking and creativity, always tailoring our approach to meet individual learning needs. This centre also serves as a practical training ground, allowing new and early-career teachers to observe and practice their skills.
Throughout all our work, we prioritise a learner-centred approach to education. We believe in collaborating closely with parents and the community to create a supportive ecosystem for learning. Our focus is on holistic development, nurturing not just the intellectual growth of our students but also their social, emotional, and physical well-being.
Our goal is to create a future where all educators can provide transformative learning experiences and every child has access to a well-trained teacher, enabling them to reach their full potential. This aspiration drives everything we do at our teacher training and learning centres in Siem Reap. At the core of our mission is the fundamental belief that every child has the right to a trained teacher. Through our dedicated efforts in teacher training and student education, we strive to make this belief a reality, not just in Siem Reap, but as a model that can inspire change across Cambodia and beyond.
Our Values
Fairness and transparency: we commit to using the resources entrusted to us solely for the organisation’s objectives and to communicate regularly, timely and entirely on our activities and progress.
Service to the community: we commit to letting the interest of the local and global communities take precedence over our personal interest, even over the organisation’s interest.
Excellence and continuous improvement: we commit to permanently striving to improve the quality of our services and programs.
Our values are translated in a number of clear codes and policies.
Child-Protection-Policy-V2-12-05-2020.pdf
Code-of-Conduct-V2-01-11-2022.pdf
Ethical-Code-V2-01-11-2022.pdf
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Child-Protection-Policy-V2-12-05-2020.pdf
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Code-of-Conduct-V2-01-11-2022.pdf
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Ethical-Code-V2-01-11-2022.pdf
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Our Ambition
Our ambition is to transform second language teaching across Cambodia’s entire education system. Through strategic partnerships with government institutions, we aim to strengthen the professional capacity of over 130,000 teachers, ultimately benefiting nearly 4 million students nationwide.
Building upon our established success in Siem Reap, we are developing our campus into a nationally recognised Centre of Excellence that will serve as the foundation for systematic change. Our approach focuses on working within existing structures rather than creating parallel systems, ensuring sustainable impact through progressive knowledge transfer to public sector partners.
By 2030, we will establish English Teacher Hubs in partnership with all 18 provincial Centres of Continuous Professional Development, ensuring that quality professional development reaches educators in every corner of the country. Our comprehensive approach addresses the urgent needs of Cambodia’s 13,000 contract teachers through fast-track certification programmes whilst extending our expertise to technical and vocational institutions.
Our commitment extends beyond immediate training outcomes. We are building the foundation for a self-sustaining system where Cambodian institutions will assume full ownership and operational responsibility for these programmes. Through this approach, we aim to establish enduring methodologies and standards that will continue to elevate English language instruction long after our direct involvement concludes.
This systematic transformation will position Cambodia’s education system to meet the evolving demands of economic development whilst ensuring equitable access to quality English instruction across urban and rural communities alike.
Management Team
Soriya Un
Director of Operations
Sokly Sour
Head of Teacher Training
Tola Tem
Director of Quality
Sokhit Kan
IT Coordinator
Sokseksa Eam
English Teacher
Chamrong Youn
Instructional Coach
Saroeun Nhem
Teacher Trainer
Korb Kem
CLIL and STEM Project Team Lead
Vandy Khan
English Teacher
Samphors Heng
Instructional Coach
Sroem Khen
Talent Factory Manager
Lihuong Kim
Housekeeper
Vitou Tes
M&E Officer
Bunsrak Pan
Trainer Coach
Liminh Heang
Instructional Coach
Angkea Pisith Thach
Teacher Trainer
Ang Bun
Project Coordinator
Thy Soeut
IT Support Officer
Channy Ann
Project Coordinator – BETC-PPST Project
Phary Kath
Gardener
Ratana Yet
Administrative Assistant
Tola Phorn
Instructional Coach
Savean Yoan
HR/Finance Assistant
Meylinh Voeurng
English Teacher
Ankearith Ngeav
Project Manager
Ly Horn Moeun
Program Manager
Nen Neou
Teacher Trainer
Sea Bou
Project Manager - BETC-PPST Project
Vannsy Tip
English Teacher
Meycheu Mut
English Teacher
Sokun Son
Housekeeper
Rai Moeun
Teacher Assistant
Chav Chinh
IT Teacher
Pet Be
Security Guard
Polikdanich Thou
Teacher Assistant - Librarian
Sony Noeun
English Teacher - Teacher Training Assistant
Vandy Kul
Project Coordinator – BETC-PPST Project
International Advisory Board
Peter Schuppli
Switzerland
Annie Bainbridge
United Kingdom
David Cami
Australia
Sylvia Vanlint
Belgium
Beate Eckhardt
Switzerland
Special Advisors
Prof. Michael Goethals
Special Advisor TESOL
Reports
Fairness and transparency are at the core of our organisation. That’s why we share all operational and financial information.
Do not hesitate to contact us if you have any further inquiries.
Legal
Teacher Development Support Organisation.
Boeng Doun Pa Village – Slorkram Commune 17251
Siem Reap – Kingdom of Cambodia
NGO registration nr 10968
Contact: [email protected]
TDSO (Teacher Development Support Organisation) vzw
Donkstraat 61 – 3150 Haacht-Wespelaar
Belgium
Ond nr BE 0642 700 026
Contact: [email protected]