Kampong Cham Town: On 26-28 September 2025, the Happy Cambodian Children (HCC) project, in collaboration with the Children’s Learning, Access to Support, and Sustainability (CLASS) project, hosted a transformative training program on Mentoring at the meeting hall of Thun Thean Obrum (TTO). This initiative aimed to empower project staff with the skills and knowledge needed to elevate the quality of education in targeted schools, fostering sustainable change within local communities.

The training was meticulously designed to equip participants with practical tools and insights to enhance their professional capabilities. Its key objectives were:

1. Deepening Understanding of Teacher Mentoring: To provide staff with a comprehensive grasp of the teacher mentoring cycle and effective teaching methodologies, enabling them to support educators more effectively.
2. Strengthening Mentoring Competencies: To build expertise in delivering coaching aligned with HCC’s framework, focusing on the professional development of teachers.
3. Crafting Clear Learning Objectives (LOs): To train participants in formulating precise and impactful learning objectives using the SMART criteria (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, Time-bound). This included applying the Audience, Behavior, Condition, and Degree framework, as well as integrating Knowledge, Skills, and Attitudes to create holistic lesson plans.
4. Advancing ICT in Education: To enhance proficiency in leveraging technology tools such as Microsoft Teams, Capcut, Canva, Kahoot, Quizziz, and Google Forms to design engaging and interactive educational activities.

The training program offered a rich curriculum, equipping participants with actionable skills to transform teaching practices. Key focus areas included:

• Understanding the Teacher Mentoring Cycle: Participants explored the essential components of the mentoring cycle, including pre-observation discussions, classroom observations, data collection, data analysis, post-observation discussions, and reflective practices. Each phase was thoroughly explained to highlight its role in teacher development.
• Effective Classroom Observation Techniques: Staff learned systematic observation methods to assess teaching strategies, student engagement, and classroom management.
• Data Analysis and Constructive Feedback: The program provided guidance on analyzing collected data to identify teaching strengths, areas for improvement, and opportunities for growth. Participants were trained to deliver balanced, constructive feedback to foster professional growth.
• Reflection and Action Planning: The training encouraged teachers to reflect on their practices and develop actionable plans for continuous improvement.
• Technology Integration: Participants gained hands-on experience with digital tools to enhance teaching and learning, creating interactive and innovative classroom activities.
• Applying Bloom’s Taxonomy: Staff explored Bloom’s Taxonomy to design questions that promote critical thinking and deeper student engagement.

Mr. Ngin Nguon, a mentor, shared his enthusiasm for the program by saying that “I am truly delighted with this training. It has deepened my understanding of teaching methodologies, educational technology, and effective mentoring strategies. These skills will empower me to work more effectively with teachers, contributing to improved educational quality in our target schools and creating a positive impact in our communities.”

The knowledge and experiences gained from this training will enable participants to continue their professional development, positioning them as key agents of change in their target schools. By applying these skills, HCC and CLASS are driving meaningful progress in delivering high-quality education, ensuring sustainable outcomes for Cambodian communities.

This training is not just a milestone in professional development but a testament to HCC and CLASS’s commitment to building a brighter future for Cambodian children through education. By empowering educators, this initiative paves the way for lasting, positive change in schools and beyond, inspiring donors and international partners to support this impactful mission.