Teacher Training - Phnom Penh, Cambodia

This was my second day in Phnom Penh, Cambodia and we had a very productive day indeed!

People woke up bright and early in Cambodia, so did I this morning! I had a great night of sleep and I was awoken in bed by the gentle morning sun which came shortly after 5a.m. Already, I heard chanting coming from the building next to ours. "Wow, people are religious here," I thought to myself. I was barely up at such early hours yet those who were chanting clearly were awake before dawn.

Carol and I were able to get out of the house by 6:30am. What an achievement for me! I couldn't remember the last time I got up so early. Carol, my host in Cambodia, drove us to the riverside and joined many others already there. This was a busy place: people were playing badminton, basketball,  exercising on the machines provided free of charge at the water front park, walking their dogs, reading newspaper, chatting with their friends, riding their bikes or like us, just walking and enjoying the morning breezes before the late morning sun. Motor bikes were everywhere carrying passengers to and from their destinations.

We walked past many beautiful traditional buildings: the palace with the King's pictures hanging all over the place, a beautiful gold colour and elaborate decorated Buddhist temple, fancy Parian style hotels dotting along the water front, government buildings etc. Unfortunately, I did not bring my camera; will definitely get to it next time.

Some of the staff members at the school

It was easy walking for 45 minutes when we had so many things to look at. By the time we finished breakfast after the morning walk, it was 8:30am only!

Ice Breaker Activity

I had more than an hour to set up my ppt, and computer equipment before my first staff meeting at ten a.m.with the teachers at the school. I found that the staff were young, humble, and eager to learn with a positive attitude. That positive attitude would carry them far in life.

Cambodian Teachers Working Together in a Small Group

 I did an icebreaker activity with the staff giving them plenty of time to go around getting to know each other and building positive rapport with me. That worked well and got everyone in a receptive and relaxed mood. I demonstrated a few teaching techniques such as Brainstorming, Cooperative Learning and PLC strategies for the teachers and asked them to work in small groups and apply these techniques to their problem scenario.






They seemed to enjoy the activities and were immersed in their tasks. Teachers from each of the three groups took turn to present their solutions to the challenge questions posted to them.  I must say that I was impressed by the many creative solutions in their answers.

Public speaking in front of one's peers is never an easy task, even when I am doing workshops in Canada to Canadian teachers; many of whom are reluctant to speak.

The Cambodia teachers were eager to share their ideas

 But the Cambodian teachers rose to their challenge and at the end of today's meeting, they came up with a good action plan to address the challenges at their school. I encouraged them to continue refining their action plan over the weekend and we would reconvene next Monday and prepare to implement the plan!

A great productive day, better than I have anticipated! Praise God!







R.T. Phnom Penh, Cambodia
Nov. 9, 2012

Hello Cambodia!

One of the Finest Dining Areas at Airports - Hong Kong Airport

After a fifteen hour flight across the Pacific, a wait of two hours at the Hong Kong International Airport for a 2 hour transfer flight on the Dragonair, I arrived at Phnom Penh, Cambodia safely!

Ikea Coffee Tables with Artistic Touches - HK Airport

This was the first time I traveled solo for an overseas trip. I have been fortunate that I have always have travel companions, either my wonderful husband or friends from various organizations. I have a special job to do on this trip - providing teacher training and support to a school in Cambodia.

Arrived Safely at the Phnom Penh International Airport

Carol, Mark, her husband and another fellow came and picked me up at the airport. After having lunch at a local restaurant and feasting on fresh seafood, I was introduced to the school staff and given a very warm reception. Carol told me that the staff had been expecting me for sometime and they looked forward to the professional development and training they would receive.

I started an informal assessment in the late afternoon and was able to have a one on one conversation with  a number of teachers at the school, which gave me a rough idea of what kind of training programs would best meet the needs of the staff.

A great night of sleep!

R.T. November 8, 3012
Phnom Penh, Cambodia

Preparing for a Job Interview

Last evening, I was invited to conduct a workshop on How to Prepare for a Job Interview to a group of university students. I promised that I would put my power point notes on my blog for the participants. Here they are:

A successful  career involves a number of ingredients such as hard working, working smart, setting goals  for 1 yr, 2 yr, 5 to ten years  so that one can track the progress whether you are achieving your goals or not.  Setting achievable short term goals helps one to move along and eventually enable one to reach  his /her long term goals. One also needs a plan of actions to achieve ones’ goals.

Nowadays, some of the important qualities companies are looking for in their potential employees are:

•          Communication skills  -Very important!

•          Good command of written/ oral skills

•          Speak with confidence

Equally as important, when  fresh graduates are looking for their first professional job upon graduation, they will also need:

•          Mentors and support network

•          Relevant experiences

•          References

•          Understanding of work cultures and values

In my career as a school administrator and recently as a Human Resources Manager, I have discovered that many young people do not have much work experience upon graduation. Many have spent their university summer months either traveling back to their home country or studying summer school; few actually got summer employment relevant to their field of studies.

Experience is important!!

•          Accumulate relevant job experience by:

•          Volunteering

•          Government programs

•          Personal Network

•          Part time

•          Co-op program

Steps for Finding a Job

•          Learn what kinds of jobs you want

•          Research your companies

•          Be Prepared with the following:

•          Covering Letter

•          Resume

•          Interview

Interview Blunders -  3 biggest mistakes

•          Dress  inappropriately

•          Talk badly about previous job or boss

•          Appears disinterested

After you sent out numerous application letters and resume, finally you got an interview! Congratulations, if you've got an interview,  some experts says:

You have  50% chance of getting the job!

Therefore do everything in your power to prepare yourself for the interview as if you are preparing for your most important final exam.

Learn about the company

•          Research the company

•          Know the products

•          Know the organization structure

•          Knowledge is power

Dress appropriately

•          Jeans are not for all occasions!

•          Dress according to position applied

•          At least 2 Days before the interview date:

•          Pick out your interview outfit

•          Shoes, socks – ready

•          Grooming – hair / nail

•          Check out location of interview and make a test run

Job  Interview – Creating a Positive Impression

•          Don’t be late1!!!

•          Arrive 15 -20 minutes earlier

•          Check  hair, teeth, finger nails – cut  & clean

•          Deodorant,  Moisturizer/ lip palm

•          Avoid bad breath; use mouth wash or breath mints

Interview – Manners

•          Good manners = consideration

•          Remember to shake hands

•          Smile!!

•          Say good morning, afternoon, thank you, please etc.

•          Sit  only when asked

Maintain Eye contact During the interview

•          Listen to questions carefully

•          Not afraid to ask for clarification

•          Positive attitude

•          Demonstrate confidence

Job Interview – Some Frequently Asked Questions

•          Tell me about yourself.

•          Tell me about your experience and qualifications.

•          Why are you applying for this job?

•          Why are you the best person for this job?

•          What are your strengths?

•          Describe your weakness.

•          What are the things that motivate you?

•          What do you do in your spare time?

•          What are your hobbies?

•          What do you like the most/ least in your school?

•          What were some of the most difficult problems you have had in your school or volunteer work?

•          How did you solve them?

Interview - Situational Questions

•          You are helping a customer who is getting verbally abusive with you. What would you do?

•          You are working on a team and you are having a problem with another worker? What would you do to solve this problem?

 

Where to find jobs?

•          School / University

•          Guidance offices, bulletins around campus

•          Community / local newspapers

•          Local supermarkets, McDonald’s, Tim Horton’s, YMCA

•          Parks and Recreation 

•          Canada Services Centre – local offices and websites

•          Student Summer Employment Program

Networking is important when you are looking for jobs. You could expand your contacts by

                 volunteering in your:

•          School / Church/  Workplace / Community

•          Talk to everyone you meet

•          Make connections

•          Small talk with your supervisors/  teachers/ professors

•          Make friends with your colleagues/ secretary

•          Attend workshops / Job fairs

•          Be careful of internet advertisement and interview location

After the interview

•          Make notes of the interview and especially the questions you did not answer well.  Have a notebook to write them down so that you could learn from your mistakes to improve your future interviews.

•          Follow up with:

•          Phone call, Email or  thank you note

Be faithful to God

•          Ask God to help you

•          pray  and ask God to give you wisdom to show you the way and open doors

•          Be faithful in your service

•          Put God first and Don’t forget to Tithe

Government Programs that help young people to find their first jopbs:

•          Mitacs-Enterprise Internship

•          Canada Summer Job

•          Employment Agencies

R.T.
Director - TECA
Toronto Education &
Communications Associates
Toronto, Ontario
 Nov. 3, 2012

 

Preparing for the mission trip to Cambodia

Since June, 2012, I have been meeting with a group of people who are committed to lending a hand to the people of Cambodia. I will be going as a member of a church short term mission team that goes to Cambodia on a regular basis to support their work there.

Our mission team has been meeting since the beginning of September for our training sessions before leaving for Cambodia in November. At each training session, Pastor Teresa leads us in planning the programs and activities; we also learn about the history, culture, hardship and the challenges faced by Cambodians in their country.

My proud little balloon doggies!

At each training meeting, a member of the mission team presents and  teach the rest of us something that we would be able to use during our visit there. These topics could be a short session on leading songs, learning to playing children's games and sports or a culture lesson about the people. One of the sessions was how to make cute little animals out of balloons.







I have always wanted to make balloon animals for a long time and this evening it gave me a great opportunity to learn and practise this fun skill.
Matthew came prepared with the long balloons and an air pump. He kept blowing up the balloons and the rest of us just followed |Rebecca's instructions in twisting and turning the long strips of balloons.

A balloon flower for my sweetheart?

Most of us were unsure what to do and did not like the slippery feeling and the funny sound of the balloons when we twisted and tried to bend the long strips into cute little dogs.  Our fear was that the balloons would burst and pop on us. The most satisfying of our balloon twisting that evening was learning the main trick of the trade and overcoming our fear of busted balloons. Important trick- The balloons would not burst as long as we leave a little tail at the very end where there was a space for air inside to escape.

Bingo! As soon as we learned the secret to balloon twisting, we were emboldened and kept shaping our balloon animals without fear nor reservation.  It was a lot of laughter and fun playing with balloons again with twelve other adults from our mission team. We were like children, just having fun. Great activity indeed!

I have been running different errands trying to get ready for my Cambodian trip. I cannot believe the amount of medication I am bringing with me. I went to the Travel Clinic for needles and medications; that alone cost almost $200.00. I went to dentist today to have my teeth checked out making sure I would not have any serious problems while I am overseas. Again, my dentist gave me a prescriptions of more antibiotics, oral rinse and other. Wow! I am now armed with more medicines than I have even seen or taken in my life. I hope I won't have to use them!

I will be leaving in a few days. Not sure what to expect but I depend on God who is mighty, powerful and gracious to keep me safe!

R.T. Oct., 2012
Short Term Mission Training Meeting, Toronto

The Burpee - A not so easy Cardio Circuit

I went to my regular fitness training session today. But I did not feel my best therefore found today's exercises difficult and could not complete the circuit my trainer designed for me. I was so mad at myself!  But sometimes, you just can't control your own body.

Joyce, my personal trainer, had me started off with the Burpee exercise, which was a combination of jumping jack and push up. I did that 12x and three rounds of it, with 30-45 seconds of rest in between each round. That was not easy as this was not an exercise that I liked. After that, I was supposed to do 50 skips, but my feet felt so heavy that I could not even do 3 skips without being caught in the skipping rope.

Lunging with weight

Beside the regular workout which I did, Joyce plans a few different circuits for me to make workout interesting and move me along to a higher level. She planned this circuit for me today:

Running on treadmill machine - 0.2 mile
Lunging with wt above head - 10x\
Burpee - 10x

Repeat the circuit - 4x consecutively

It was tough for me to do the Burpee exercise this morning. Some exercises look easy but when I go to try them, they are not easy at all. The Burpee was of those today for me as it was a combination of a few motions. I hang my head low and feeling defeated as I could not complete this circuit 4 x as Joyce planned.

The Burpee Exercise - An Excellent Cardio Exercise

Sometimes I go into the gym feeling great, being in fine shape and could perform all the exercises that Joyce plans for me. At times, I feel weak and wobbly on my feet unable to lift the weight or sustain the exercises to the end. Today was one of those days.

But I will persist as I have seen how weak and helpless some people can become as people age. I have read and heard it numerous times - Exercise is not an option, but should be a part of our life. I will keep going to the gym and work as hard as I can.  

R.T. Goodlife Fitness Gym
Toronto