Meet a DSI Changemaker: Chanpheak

Ms. CHHORN Chanpheak is one of DSI’s Cambodian Master Trainers and currently serves as the technical teacher at Rabbit School Organization, one of DSI’s partner organizations. Her passion, leadership, and care for teachers and children with disabilities are even further magnified by her personal experience as a person living with disabilities herself.

We asked Chanpheak a few questions to learn more about her journey and dedication to this mission work:

Why do you do this important disability work?

In Cambodia, we don’t have enough special education teachers, and most teachers don’t know how to work with children with disabilities.

As a teacher, I am happy to learn relevant skills to improve our teaching strategies when we work with children with disabilities. I am committed to sharing what I have learned to support other teachers so they can improve their educational techniques in ways that will benefit children with disabilities.

What is improving or changing for the better already?

As a Master Trainer, I have improved my understanding of how to manage the behavior of students with disabilities by using the ABC [antecedent, behavior, and consequences] strategies, and how to prevent and intervene if the behavior is a problem.

Chanpeak (in the light green shirt) pauses for a photo while working with teacher trainees.

After I got the training from DSI, it helped me have more clarity on each point, and I feel more confident to coach and share this knowledge with teachers and parents so they can support their children.

I worked with teachers on finding the solution to manage students who have challenging behavior. With two other master trainers, I conducted training to teach parents about ABC, and now they are more aware and have some ideas for handling their children’s behavior as well.

What is one continuing need now for teachers and children with disabilities in your community?

The teachers need to continue to have and review the training materials. We need to monitor and coach them on how to work with parents to ensure sustainability at home and how to work with students with disabilities to ensure that they are making progress and still attend school.

Chanpeak (seated in the middle) talking with a DSI trainer and other Cambodian Master Trainers.

What do you hope for the future of all children with disabilities in Cambodia? 

In the future, my dream is to see that all children with disabilities have equal rights like other citizens. I hope that they can go to school and have a good education and be able to get a job when they become adults. I want no discrimination toward children with disabilities.

Is there anything else you want people to know about teacher training and inclusive education in Cambodia?

It would be good if we are able to collaborate with government agencies to conduct teacher training and inclusive education sessions for government teachers or school principals at some target schools. This would improve inclusive education and engage more children with disabilities in inclusive classes.

Chanpeak (standing in the front row in the middle with brown pants) stands with other teachers and DSI's Cambodian Program Coordinator Thy (standing in the back row, on the right with a white shirt and glasses

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