Highlights of the Access Teachers Training

July 17 - July 21, 2023

1. Access Teachers Training Opening Ceremony

It was the first day of our training, on July 17th, unexpectedly a little warmer, at Whispering Pines
Resorts. Everyone gathered in the Garden Area where the opening ceremony was held. Luckily, the table
we had was set in front of the stage. To our surprise, the trainers, Dr. Eleni Pappamihiel and Dr. Umar
Azeem chose to sit with us or perhaps they were escorted to our table. The host welcomed us and gave
some introduction about the program, RELO Team and Vision-Building Future. She called Mr. Shuja
Abbasi, the Program Manager, to the stage, to extend a warm welcome to all of us. He was happy to share
that our stay at Whispering Pines Resorts would be comfortable and the venue was carefully chosen,
keeping in mind the serene and conducive environment it offered, surrounded by the beauty of nature, this
place would provide the perfect setting for us to delve into our learning journey together.

We had an ice-breaking activity conducted by Azhar Abbas, the assistant trainer, to get familiar with one
another. This fun activity brought us, the teachers, closer together. We had to find people who had
traveled to multiple countries, could sing and play an instrument, were married, and hailed from
mountainous areas. It was a delightful experience that sparked laughter and joy as we learned more about
each other.

Dennis Yang, Regional English Language Officer, a very humble man, joined us at the ceremony. He
spoke briefly about the crucial role Access English Micro-scholarship Program plays in bridging
educational gaps, promoting inclusivity, and empowering youth with the tools they need to become
successful and active participants in the global community. He thanked all the teachers to be a part of the
training. After the ceremony, he mingled with the teachers and interacted with them.

As the opening ceremony came to an end, a delightful tea awaited the participants, a perfect opportunity
for teachers to mingle and connect in a more relaxed atmosphere. During the ceremony and at the end
photos were taken and videos were made.

2. Access Teachers Training Culture Night

On July 20th, at Whispering Pines Resorts, Access Teachers and Administrators, the trainers, RELO Team
and its partners celebrated Cultural Night. The cultural night was an enchanting celebration that
showcased the rich tapestry of Pakistan's diverse culture. Vibrant colors of traditional dresses and
rhythmic beats of traditional music came together to create unforgettable experiences for the participants.
The event featured stalls from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Sindh, Punjab and Azad Kashmir exhibiting their
artworks and artifacts.
There were videos shown through a projector highlighting the delicious cuisines, traditional dances,
artifacts, handicrafts, landmarks, monuments, customs, festivals and places to visit of each province of
Pakistan. Souvenirs were presented to the trainers, RELO Team and the organisers.

The cultural night was not only a mesmerizing display of the cultural depth of Pakistan but also a unifying
platform that fosters a sense of pride and unity among the teachers of Access English.

3. Access Teachers Training Networking Dinner at La Montana

July 19th was the third day of our training. The networking dinner of Access teachers had been arranged
at La Montana. The rooftop of La Montana seemed to be enveloped by the cloudy fog or foggy clouds,
one couldn't tell whether it was a dinner in the clouds or on the roof of La Montana but there were
moments when the twin cities would emerge from the fog with all their formidable aura. It was an
evening filled with shared passion and discussions of English teachers from diverse backgrounds and
teaching experiences. They came together to connect and exchange ideas.

We were introduced to Mr. Dennis Yang, Regional English Language Officer, by Mr. Mudassir Ali Shah,
English Programs Manager, KPK. We briefly talked about our previous project experiences and how
successful it was and expressed our excitement for the Access English program. We interacted with many
teachers of different cities of Sindh, Punjab, Azad Kashmir and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

As the aroma of toothsome dishes wafted through the air we craved for it. All the KPK teams had dinner
together filled with laughter and jokes. New connections were formed, and existing ones were
strengthened. This networking dinner proved to be an inspiring and heartwarming event that will
undoubtedly have a positive ripple effect on English teachers in the days to come.

4. Access Teachers Training Lunch with PAO Monica Davis

On July 21st, at Whispering Pines Resorts, all the Access teachers of KPK and English Program Manager,
KPK, Mr. Mudassir Ali shah had a lunch-cum-meeting with PAO, Monica Davis. We discussed how
crucial this Access program is for the economically disadvantaged students and for the people of Pakistan
and the US to come closer and to brush off any misconceptions about the US. The inculcation of
American Values in the program was also discussed. One of the KPK teachers, Wasi, had the opportunity
to express his gratitude about the program as he was one of the alumni of Access English as a student and
now he was part of the Access English cadre. He was a success-story to inspire others. A teacher, recently
returned from the US in an exchange program, expressed her views on how life-changing this program
could be for everyone.

Mr. Mudassir Ali Shah graciously enlightened us on the profound significance, inherent value, and
unwavering worth of every hard-earned US taxpayer's dollar so that we, as a team, make sure it is wisely
and honestly spent in the right places. Mr. Qaiser, Chairman of English Department at the University of
Malakand, expressed his views and requested for more assistance in the upcoming Acces English
Program at the university.
 5. Access Teachers Training Closing Ceremony

On July 21st, the closing ceremony was held at the end of the training program in the Garden Area of
Whispering Pines Resorts. The ceremony began with a welcome address from a representative of the
organizers. She expressed gratitude to the participating teachers for their dedication to continuous
learning and growth. It was all to acknowledge and celebrate the achievements of the participating
teachers. The ceremony featured speeches from program organizers and the trainers. Dr. Eleni
Pappamihiel, Dr. Umar Azeem and Mr. Azhar Abbas expressed their appreciation for the teachers'
dedication and commitment to professional development. Teachers were all ears, grateful and determined
to incorporate the knowledge and skills gained during the training into their teaching practices.
Certificates and awards were presented to the trainers, RELO Team and the teachers to recognize their
successful completion of the training. The closing ceremony was concluded with a lot of group photos,
video making and a social gathering, allowing us to network and exchange experiences with
refreshments.

Throughout the event, our sense of accomplishment was palpable, fostering a strong sense of community
and commitment to continuous improvement in the field of English teaching.

Overall, the teacher training closing ceremony served as a memorable and uplifting occasion for us. It
inspired us to further our growth as lifelong learners.

6. Access Teachers Training Outdoor Activities

Following are some of the outdoor activities which I have already described in the preceding paragraphs:

It was comparatively a warm day of July 17th and everyone gathered in the Garden Area Whispering
Pines Resorts for the opening ceremony. The trainers, Dr. Eleni Pappamihiel and Dr. Umar Azeem, joined
us at our table, adding to the excitement. Mr. Shuja Abbasi, the Program Manager, welcomed us and
emphasized the serene environment of the venue for our learning journey. We had an ice-breaking activity
conducted by the assistant trainer, Azhar Abbas. This was a wonderful activity. Through this activity we,
teachers, had a chance to get familiar with eachother. We had to find a person who had visited more than
two countries, could sing and play a musical instrument, was married and from a mountainous area etc.
We really enjoyed it.

At Whispering Pines Resorts on July 20th, Cultural Night was another outdoor activity. We celebrated
Cultural Night, immersing ourselves in Pakistan's diverse culture. Vibrant colors, traditional music, and
artworks from different provinces delighted us. The event fostered a sense of pride and unity among the
Access English teachers.
On the evening of July 19th, we had a dinner that took place on the rooftop of La Montana, enveloped in
cloudy fog, adding a surreal touch to the environment. Teachers from different cities mingled, exchanged
ideas, and enjoyed the delicious dishes, creating connections leading to professional growth.

On July 21st, the closing ceremony in the Garden Area was a delightful event. We received certificates
and awards for our successful completion of the training. The event left us feeling accomplished and
committed to continuous growth in our teaching journey.

Access Teachers Training Meeting with KP Program Manager

The Access Charsadda team convened for a meeting, presided by Mr. Mudassir Ali Shah, KP Program
Manager, during lunch to discuss essential aspects of the program's development and implementation. The
meeting focused on setting a 6-month plan, creating a training module for teachers, ensuring timely
reporting, and organizing activities during the program. The primary focus was on ensuring the program's
success by setting clear objectives and fostering a supportive learning environment for the young learners.

The team pledged to collectively brainstorm and craft a comprehensive 6-month plan, outlining the
program's timeline, activities, and milestones. It was also emphasized that we have a well-designed
training module. The training will equip the teachers, who didn't attend the training sessions, with
innovative teaching methodologies and strategies, brought by those who attended the training sessions, to
engage and inspire their students effectively. The importance of weekly and monthly reports was also
highlighted to ensure continuous evaluation and improvement. Each teacher will be required to submit
weekly and monthly progress reports. These reports will help monitor the program's success and identify
challenges. Program hierarchy was discussed for smooth communication. Adherence to deadlines was
stressed to accomplish set goals promptly. Celebration of international days was deemed important for
incorporating cultural diversity and inclusivity. The team also planned to invite guest speakers as an
inspiration for the students.

The meeting concluded with a strong commitment from all team members to work collaboratively and
ensure the program's success.