At ISF, we value and reward our teachers who work hard every day to give disadvantaged children the gift of education and the opportunity of a brighter future.

This month we took International Teacher’s Day as an additional opportunity to thank our wonderful teaching staff who always inspire and encourage students to thrive and develop their full potential. We organized a big ceremony at our Education Centre in Stung Meanchey and 280 students, teachers and staff took part in it. It was a very inspiring and emotional event. Students expressed their gratitude, love and respect to their teachers and gave them hand-made paper flowers, food and thank-you cards as gifts.

A high school student, Phearoth* gave a speech during the ceremony “Thank you teachers! I love you because you always support me without asking anything in return. You’re helping me build a bright future that I could only dream of”.

Another student from primary school, Soknoeun* said that “I’m so excited to be here on this special day. I really appreciate your hard work. You always know the right thing to say to encourage, motive and inspire us!”

The event was loaded with warmth, affection and fun. Sopha, English teacher and English Programme Coordinator said: “The event was well organized and thoughtful. I am honored to be a teacher at ISF.  Other support staff planned everything well, starting from students making a speech and singing songs. The pizza treat and soda was especially good and the service was excellent.  I feel special and pampered.  Some students offered to take away empty plates and pizza boxes which show how much they respect and care for their teachers. Some students made flowers and wrote wonderful notes showing how much they appreciate the teachers for working so hard.  I am always reminded to do my best because as the quote says “A good teacher is the backbone of a quality education” translated from a Khmer quote that I received from a student.”

We couldn’t agree more as teachers play an extremely important role in shaping people and changing lives. Thank you ISF teachers for all the good work you do every day for our students!

*Name of students under 18 years old are changed.