Ms. Mea Somavatey dreamt of becoming a teacher since she was young. Her dream came true in 2013 when she became a math teacher at Phny Meas High School in Preikabbas district, Takeo province, Cambodia. Since then, she has been working very hard to provide knowledge and share her experiences with her students. She believes that education gives her students opportunities to live a better life and become good citizens.

Ms. Mea Somavatey regularly finds new teaching methods and innovative ways to help her students learn mathematics, including digital tools such as Photomath, Wolfram Alpha, CalcES, OR Simplex, and numerous others to enhance mathematics instruction. She utilizes engaging materials to capture students’ interest and facilitate learning. She emphasizes a student-centred approach, helping her students to overcome their challenges, particularly slow learners, frequently absent students, and those from disadvantaged backgrounds, including the poor, orphaned, and vulnerable.

Beyond the classroom, she has established Telegram groups for students and their guardians to provide essential information and maintain good relationships with the parents through consistent communication. She strongly believes that good teachers must make students, the community and their guardians feel confident in them. The effectiveness of her methods is evident in her students’ numerous achievements.

Teacher Mea Somavatey has a master’s degree in mathematics from Prince of Songkla University in Thailand and a bachelor’s degree in mathematics from Angkor Khemara University in Cambodia. In recognition of her exceptional teaching, she recently received the prestigious Samdach Techo Sen Award for Best Teacher, 1st rank, in 2024.