Hello everyone! We are back with the second story in our “Learning, Sharing, Growing” series.Today, we take a step closer to the heart of the STEM CPD (Continuous Professional Development) program. We had the privilege of sitting down for an interview with Dr. Seng Monyrattanak, a leading STEM education expert who has been a pivotal facilitator and observer in this journey. He shared with us the “quiet revolution” he is witnessing in Cambodian classrooms.
💡 Q: Dr. Monyrattanak, you’ve been deeply involved in this STEM CPD journey. What is the core philosophy you share with the teachers?
Dr. Monyrattanak: “I always tell our educators: ‘When the way we teach changes, the future of our children changes.’ We focus on pillars like curriculum literacy, Backward Design, and digital tools like H5P and Google Classroom. These aren’t just technical skills; they are the essential foundations every modern teacher must master. Seeing our training process evolve and our trainers work in such harmony brings me immense pride.”
🌱 Q: As an observer on the front lines, what are the most significant changes you’ve noticed in the participating STEM teachers?
Dr. Monyrattanak: “The transformation has been truly heartwarming. I’ve observed three major shifts:
- From ‘Followers’ to ‘Designers’: In the past, many teachers strictly followed MoEYS guidelines or used others’ materials without question. Now, they are gaining the confidence to design their own detailed curricula, tailored specifically to their school’s actual context.
- Outcome-Focused Planning: By embracing Backward Design, teachers now start with ‘Learning Outcomes’ rather than just ‘Content.’ This allows formative assessments to naturally weave into the lesson, making it possible to monitor student growth in real-time.
- Digital Integration: Tools like H5P and Google Classroom are no longer intimidating. Teachers are actively using them to create more dynamic and interactive learning environments.”
🚀 Q: Change is a journey, not a destination. What do you see as the next “mountain to climb”?
Dr. Monyrattanak: “While we celebrate these milestones, we must keep moving forward. The next step is deepening the understanding of ‘Action Research’ where teachers systematically study and improve their own practice, and helping them navigate their ‘Teacher Career Pathways.’ Understanding these professional structures is vital for long-term excellence.”
✨ Closing Thoughts from the Interview
As the interview concluded, Dr. Monyrattanak added one final note with a smile:
“Every moment spent sharing knowledge with these teachers is a joy for me. My hope is that the passion we see here in this workshop spreads to every corner of Cambodia, reaching every single student.”
The future of STEM education is blooming where expert insight meets the raw passion of local teachers. What inspiring stories will we discover next? Stay tuned for our next Teacher Story!