The goals of our Teacher Training seminars include:

• Motivating teachers to become resourceful by exposing them to enthusiastic master trainers and a wide variety of new teaching aids locally available.

Daniel with teachers from Ali Model School in Rawalpindi.

Sonia Tariq demonstrates how to use the number frames.

• Instilling the vision of innovative and interesting ways to teach.

Early math prep activities include sensory materials to heighten all senses’ discrimination skills.

Introducing basic math via a variety of approaches keeps a child’s interest alive.

• Demonstrating game-like approaches and various activities as springboards to learning.

Video as a medium to facilitate review of material covered

Beginning multiplication, division and fractions using real objects provides a foundation to build on.

• Constructing effective, low cost math teaching aids.

Hands-on Workshop creating these teaching aids

Teachers, proudly displaying the teaching aids they've made.

Daniel flanked by teachers exhibiting the units’ and tens’ board they have finished.

Graduating class of teachers, proudly showing off their course certificates.

Creating Low-Cost Teacher Training Aids

Teachers, acting as pupils, learning to utilize a spelling game.	Teachers in workshop learning how to make flash cards.
Participants constructing low cost math and teaching aids for grades 1-5.	Teacher giving presentation of what she's learned.

FESF’s main thrust is to fulfill the need of the hour: Training!

An ancient Chinese proverb goes something like this:

If you think one year ahead--sow a seed.
If you think ten years ahead--plant a tree.
If you think a hundred years ahead--educate the people.

Since 1996 we have conducted dozens of teacher training courses for thousands of teachers from hundreds of schools in the urban and rural areas. As part of our program we have also distributed over 40,000 pages of activity-based resource materials and 2,000 educational video programs, in addition to publishing our “Family Educator” newsletters.

In this country, we have found an immense reservoir of personnel with unlimited talents just waiting to be developed. If given proper training and exposure to resourceful and energetic "master trainers", this force can forever change this country and build a brighter future for the next generations.

Most teachers and parents manifest enthusiasm and eager anticipation to the training, and sessions brim with active participation. The resultant appreciation is overwhelming, as you see by some of the teachers’ reactions following.

“It was dark before the workshop, now I have some light. We are responsible for the future of our country and we need to put the children on the right path. By implementing this workshop I can make these children into better citizens. I am so thankful you came; you have given me a lot of self-confidence. “

‘It taught me to be responsible, to take my job seriously and to be a committed teacher.”

“The workshop was lively, interesting and eye opening. We had lots of interaction with a chance to also contribute."

“It taught me to fight this ‘Can not do attitude’ and to take the first step rather then to think it is impossible or it's the school’s fault if things don’t go so well.”

"What I liked best was the style of teaching you showed; with songs,actions, games and with lots of love, and not with fear of punishment."

“I am very impressed with both the presenters’ personalities. We live in a Muslim country, and many do not have a good impression of foreigners. But both of you have set a wonderful example of good, devoted Christian teachers. It made a very good impression on the Muslim participants also. Personally I have learned a lot and have revised and changed as a teacher at least 50%. Thank you very much.”

“I always disliked ‘Ghoras’ (white man) but after today I like them. I pray to God to help these persons and their association. I think they will manage another workshop and will remember us as their regular students.” (end of reactions)

Such reactions have encouraged us to keep going when tired and weary, that yes we are having an impact and making a difference in the lives of these teachers. And not only theirs but the hundreds of thousands of children they will teach for years to come.