High School teacher wants to make permanent difference to Cambodia

Gilmore · Post by **Gilmore** » Fri Jul 28, 2017 7:57 pm

Dr. Hang is the most impressive politician I have met here, though there isn't much competition. He is a very humble, down to earth man, which is highly unusual in this environment. I saw him on TV on Sunday, presenting prizes at a kickboxing competition. I've never sensed any arrogance or elitism on his part.

RobW · Post by **RobW** » Fri Jul 28, 2017 8:04 pm

scobienz wrote:Any chance - any chance at all - we can pursue this thread without unnecessary insults and related bollocks?

Absurd proposition.
Can't be bothered to read the noisy link. How's this teacher going to make a difference? By not fucking the kids?

ផោមក្លិនស្អុយ · Post by **ផោមក្លិនស្អុយ** » Fri Jul 28, 2017 8:10 pm

Gilmore wrote:Are you sane? Been watching too much CNN, I think. If you're so impressed, go fund him.
I think the evil men in black are now called RCAF. There is some truth to that, as part of the peace deal with the KR was a transfer of their soldiers into the ranks of the Cambodian military. It is a common occupation among the survivors in Anlong Veng.
Of course, being such an expert on rural deprivation, you would already know that.

Last medical check up marked me as sane. But it was a close run thing.
Yes, I do know a bit about the rural situation in Cambodia. And I know a bit about the situation of schools and the competence of teachers.
If this punter was coming to teach ABC's for a fortnight to kids in an orphanage then fair play - give him both barrels. But coming to teach teachers, of whom many are stuck in the dark ages (with regards teaching skills and resources) seems like a decent initiative.
It sticks in my craw a bit for you in your school of privilege - which you rejoice in telling us about at each and every opportunity - to slate this guy who could potentially leave a small legacy. I'm sure you are working for a not insignificant salary, he will be unpaid working most likely without interactive whiteboards, maybe without electricity and with limited resources.
He is a professional coming to help in his professional sphere. What really is your issue?

Yes, the wording of the article could have been better. He didn't write it and once he has been here probably wouldn't choose the same words again. Quit being so self righteous looking down from your little ivory tower. Not everyone can possibly be as knowledgable as you about Cambodia - maybe you just need to accept that.

And the men in the black Pyjamas - I don't know what relevance they have to this situation - other than to tell everyone how knowledgeable and clever you are...so I'll ignore that not insignificant part of your exposition.

Gilmore · Post by **Gilmore** » Fri Jul 28, 2017 8:47 pm

Fair enough, translation unknown. I guess his motives are genuine. It was the tone of the article that annoyed me. References to the men in black were a joke-sorry you didn't get it.
By the way, we don't use interactive whiteboards. People who know me would find the accusation of being an ivory tower academic absurd-they are among my pet hates. I don't agree with trendy new educational theories, but I have always been opposed to traditional chalk and talk methods. I'd be quite happy to debate these issues in the section of the forum where they belong-The Staff Room. Cheers.

ផោមក្លិនស្អុយ · Post by **ផោមក្លិនស្អុយ** » Fri Jul 28, 2017 8:54 pm

Gilmore wrote:Fair enough, translation unknown. I guess his motives are genuine. It was the tone of the article that annoyed me. References to the men in black were a joke-sorry you didn't get it.
By the way, we don't use interactive whiteboards. People who know me would find the accusation of being an ivory tower academic absurd-they are among my pet hates. I don't agree with trendy new educational theories, but I have always been opposed to traditional chalk and talk methods. I'd be quite happy to debate these issues in the section of the forum where they belong-The Staff Room. Cheers.

Oh, c'mere and give me a hug.
Let's hug it out big fella.

LexusSchmexus · Post by **LexusSchmexus** » Fri Jul 28, 2017 9:06 pm

As usual, his heart is in the right place, but he isn't well-informed. Teacher trainers are constantly improving here. There are multiple scholarships for Cambodian teachers and teacher-trainers to go abroad to study (Masers, training camps etc). Quite often teams of foreign teachers also come over to do some training camps here. Both of these are generally way more useful than having some lone guy show up.

ផោមក្លិនស្អុយ · Post by **ផោមក្លិនស្អុយ** » Fri Jul 28, 2017 9:24 pm

LexusSchmexus wrote:As usual, his heart is in the right place, but he isn't well-informed. Teacher trainers are constantly improving here. There are multiple scholarships for Cambodian teachers and teacher-trainers to go abroad to study (Masers, training camps etc). Quite often teams of foreign teachers also come over to do some training camps here. Both of these are generally way more useful than having some lone guy show up.

I presumed he was coming with an organisation and would be part of a group of teachers. You think he is coming on his Jack Jones? If it is a Billy no Mates initiative then I may reevaluate my opinion.

Gilmore · Post by **Gilmore** » Fri Jul 28, 2017 9:43 pm

Glad we sorted that one out, Khmer text. Don't know about the hugs, though. I copped a lot of that from US expats in the Philippines-not really my style.

Prahok · Post by **Prahok** » Sat Jul 29, 2017 10:04 am

Gilmore wrote:Don't know about the hugs, though. I copped a lot of that from US expats in the Philippines-not really my style.

If you didn't wear those tight shorts and plunging necklines in Angelese bars it would be less of a problem.

Gilmore · Post by **Gilmore** » Sat Jul 29, 2017 10:22 am

Thanks for the advice. I'll also leave the fishnet stockings at home, if I ever return there.

lordofmisrule · Post by **lordofmisrule** » Mon Jul 31, 2017 2:31 pm

He is well intentioned, but so are the gap year students building orphanages, it does not make what they do any more effective but hey I guess its the starfish syndrome, it may make a difference to some and that may be enough.

ផោមក្លិនស្អុយ · Post by **ផោមក្លិនស្អុយ** » Mon Jul 31, 2017 4:24 pm

lordofmisrule wrote:He is well intentioned, but so are the gap year students building orphanages, it does not make what they do any more effective but hey I guess its the starfish syndrome, it may make a difference to some and that may be enough.

The difference is that he is a professional and is volunteering within his professional sphere.
Not sure many gap year students are qualified or experienced builders.

Kachang · Post by **Kachang** » Mon Jul 31, 2017 4:54 pm

ផោមក្លិនស្អុយ wrote:
lordofmisrule wrote:He is well intentioned, but so are the gap year students building orphanages, it does not make what they do any more effective but hey I guess its the starfish syndrome, it may make a difference to some and that may be enough.
The difference is that he is a professional and is volunteering within his professional sphere.
Not sure many gap year students are qualified or experienced builders.

Well.... Everyone has the right to have his/ her dreams and ideals, but the chance this teacher is going to make a change in Cambodia while being here is nearly zero.

I came to Cambodia as a professional in education, I tried as hard as I could for 25 months to make a change for the good in local education, but Cambodia changed me more than I changed Cambodia.

LexusSchmexus · Post by **LexusSchmexus** » Mon Jul 31, 2017 5:39 pm

So you're now a broke method addicted whoremonger?