Leadership That Thrives in Any Workplace
Cultivated by the Fellowship program, leadership skills, and other soft skills that are embodied in the alumni can be career boosters anywhere. Many alumni of Teach For Thailand have applied these skills to various jobs. In this article, we will get to know Tipper and Pha-earn, who work in private companies and have utilized their experiences from their two-year Fellowship to develop their careers.
Tipper, 1st-cohort alumni of Teach For Thailand, currently works as a Project Officer and Case Management at Oasis Belgium. She is responsible for the field of international migration, specifically assisting women who have migrated to escape from domestic violence and helping them regain their independence.
“As a Thai, I have been able to help many Thai and Asian women. Most of the Asians who have migrated here get married and face challenges such as language barriers, unfamiliarity with the climate, limitations in finding suitable occupations, and lack of knowledge about their rights in a foreign land. Therefore, they seek assistance from our organization.”
Tipper graduated from the Faculty of Political Science, Thammasat University. Prior to joining Teach For Thailand, she had experience teaching in construction worker camps. She observed the educational inequality in Thailand and the difficulties faced by students from neighboring countries in accessing education. This may be one of the reasons why she continues to work for displaced individuals until this day.
She attributed her teaching skills to a natural inclination and enjoyment. She even went so far as to establish her own language school. However, one thing she discovered through her experience with Teach For Thailand and teaching in other places is that:
“Being a teacher is not just about teaching skills, it involves assisting students in various aspects. The teaching profession is about management and more.”
When asked to define one word that best represents Teach For Thailand, Tipper chose “Growth Mindset.” It emphasizes the idea of continuous growth, not only for herself but also for the people she is involved with. She aims to empower others to take the knowledge she imparts and further develop themselves.
“The work I am currently doing involves interacting and managing with people, each with their own set of problems. I may not have all the solutions for them, but I must listen to them because they need help. Therefore, the skill of empathy and being ready to provide appropriate and timely assistance is another skill I have learned through my work.”
“Working in Teach For Thailand has encouraged me in being true to myself, transforming me into a confident and decisive individual, known as a leader. Furthermore, the experience of being a teacher has strengthen my management skills, resilience, comprehensive listening, open-mindedness, and empathy towards others.”
“Being a fellow is not just about teaching, it allows me to see the larger picture of education issues and the extent of education inequity when people lack knowledge or face education challenges. Education is a developmental endeavor that requires careful filtering and attention to every step of the thought process.”
When asked about her future goals, Tipper mentioned that she intends to “be the voice for the voiceless.” She wants to have a genuine understanding of the work she does and aspires to be a lecturer on international migration. Her dream extends further, as she desires to establish an organization in Thailand to assist and provide knowledge to individuals who need to relocate, equipping them with skills and readiness to adapt to a new and unfamiliar country.
“Regardless of the organization we are in, we must strive to do our best for the maximum benefit of those involved. We need to develop skills and personal growth that will accompany us throughout our lives. This includes leadership skills and the ability to be a changemaker. Teach For Thailand has inspired me to develop students and our country. However, the most important aspect of development is self-improvement. How we develop depends on each individual’s aspirations and abilities. The key is that we have become a source of inspiration for students, encouraging them to go out and learn independently.
For Pha-earn, other alumni of Teach For Thailand from the 4th cohort, the sentence that best describes her experience in Teach For Thailand is “Challenge Yourself, Change Lives.”
“I happened to hear this sentence even before applying to Teach For Thailand, and indeed, my life has always been filled with challenges.”
Pha-earn decided to join Teach For Thailand because she witnessed education inequality from a young age. Many of her intelligent classmates dropped out of the education system simply because they faced financial difficulties and their parents couldn’t afford to support their education. As she progressed in her studies, she realized that “access to quality education and good schools is not something every child can have.”
When it came to choosing which university to attend, Pha-earn could only afford to apply to one university due to the expenses involved, including application fees and travel costs. This made her think about changing the education system in Thailand from what she had experienced as a child.
“When I started teaching in Khlong Toei, I faced challenges every day. I gained a real understanding of the community and realized that teachers have a heavy burden and need to have the energy and passion to teach, despite various policies not being supportive. I also witnessed many limitations that couldn’t be addressed within the classroom. However, I tried my best to adapt my teaching methods, focusing on both academics and life skills, in order to provide children with skills that would benefit them in their future, regardless of the path they choose.”
When asked what being a fellow has given her, Pha-earn replied, “It has made me a better person, helped me grow, and given me a good life with good friends.”
When asked about her definition of a “good life,” she answered,
“For me, a good life means having a good network of connections. TFT provides me with a community of like-minded individuals with similar goals. It gives me hope that Thailand still has the potential for change. My friends and the community in TFT continue to support each other and work together in various areas.
Furthermore, having a profile from here has also helped me secure good job opportunities. Every time I was invited as a speaker somewhere or talked to someone who knows I am a TFT alumnus, they value my outstanding profile. Moreover, the leadership and management skills I have acquired enable me to create an impact on myself and my students. Actually, it is the students who empower me.”
Currently, Pha-earn is working as a Senior Corporate Image and Sustainable Development Officer in the Public Relations department at AIS, a private company. Her role involves promoting sustainability within the organization. She has utilized the skills gained from TFT, which have been particularly outstanding in three areas known as the 3Cs: Communication, Collaboration, and Community building.
“When I became a teacher, I had to understand how to deliver a story before delivering academic lessons to ensure effective communication and understanding. In addition to that, I had to foster collaboration with individuals from various groups, starting from school administrators to students and the community. I also had to build teamwork and engage in community management. These skills have been highly valuable in my current role because I need to manage relationships with over 150 partners and establish collaborative networks for effective work.”
Her future goal is to become a “Changemaker” who drives sustainability and encourages people/organizations to actively engage in sustainable business practices. This includes fostering a society that promotes business development while prioritizing education and environmental concerns.
“For those who are considering applying to TFT’s program, I want to tell you that this is not an easy opportunity to come by. It’s a chance to manage the lives of hundreds of people, to experience trial and error in our own project. Don’t just think that by coming here, we will improve education because we ourselves will also improve. This program will change us first and help us discover and set our own directions. Additionally, it enhances our skills and equips us with powerful tools. There are so many kids out there waiting for amazing people like you to show up and create incredible opportunities for them. Let’s join us in making change happen in the classrooms.
