The Road Not Taken: The Story of a SEA-TEACHER

My day started with positivity with a thought of having another day of learning with Indonesians. I’ve got the chance to observed different class aside from Ma’am Diah. My observation started at 7: 45am in grade IX-H with Mr. Sunardi. The lesson was about Reproduction System of Animals and Plants, the teacher started the class by saying good morning and he checked the attendance of the class and then started the class by asking the students about their previous lesson. After that he introduced the new topic, he explained first the mechanics of the activity and after that he group his students into four group. After that he let his students to go outside in the garden to observe different plants, when I was in the garden I noticed that there were also soursop (sirsak in Indonesia) and I was really amazed to saw that kind of fruits in the other country.

A picture showing grade 9-H students actively listening to the discussion with Mr. Sunardi.

 

I also observed that they were using internet/portal to conduct only for objective test because it so hard for the teacher to give a hard task in the portal because they can’t monitor what students doing. Just like in the Philippines, we also using the portal or the social media to conduct test, to give activity or assignment. Really technology is evident in the school and we need to make the most of it for us to give quality education to our students.

After I observed, we went to the canteen together with my two buddies (Syifa and) and we bought mango shake and after that we went to the teachers room to stay there and wait for my next observation.

The next class that I observed was grade 7-F with Sir. Eddy Faridal, during my observation I noticed that the students were very active giving different example about the Metric System. I like how he taught the students, always wearing his smile to his/her students and that was the reason why the students were not afraid answering his questions and sharing more ideas to the class. Overall, I like his method of teaching maybe the only problem was that the students were very noisy sometimes, if he will try to become strict sometimes, students will learned how to respect the teacher when they were talking.

A picture showing my buddy (left), I (wearing red shirt), Sir Eddy Faridal and also one of my buddy (right)

Groupie with some of the students of grade 7-F, they are very happy to see me.

A picture together with grade 7-F

 

After my observation, we went back to the teacher’s room together with my buddies. I witnessed the family bond of the teachers, some were sharing foods, helping each other, offering me to taste some other foods I didn’t eat before. By those gestures, I felt their sincerity and gratitude that I am with them, I am grateful as well. I thank that destiny made a chance for me to meet these kind of people, they are treating like I belong in this place.

I observed the grade 9-I with Sir Sunardi again, he was the kind of teacher that you will not be bored because he’s funny and amazing. He used a plastic cup as a substitute because the materials was lacking, he used the available resources around him and he’s so creative. As a teacher, being creative is very important knowing that you were going to face different situation that will measure your ability, creativeness and flexibility as a teacher. As a future one, I wanted to be like him, a creative one, flexible and a funny one at the same time because I want my student feel comfortable at me.

The student answering the problem given by the teacher

The teacher are giving instruction and direction to the students about the  activity they are going to perform.

The students are actively doing their activities with cooperation to each other.

A picture together with the grade 9- I students and their teacher, Mr, Sunardi.

 

A picture of SEA-TEACHER participant together with Mr. Sunardi, my cooperating teacher.

Time so fast, it’s time to say goodbye again!!!

 

Monday morning greeted me as sun’s rays struck me, it was my first day to meet the lovely students and kindful teachers of SMP Negeri 1 Banjarmasin. This day is so special for me for it is the start of my observation week here in Indonesia.

The van took me in the school together with other co-student teachers from different school in the Philippines. I attended the school’s flag ceremony. I observed the way they do their flag ceremonies, they were serious and solemn while they salute in their flags. It’s very different from the Philippines since the way we respect our flag was putting our hands in our chest while them, they salute to it. Seeing other cultures makes me appreciate their cultures and beliefs too. Also it was the day when I and my co-student teacher introduced us in front of the students and teachers. I was really happy seeing all of them smiling with us proving that they were really excited to become part of their family.

           A picture showing their flag ceremony

After the flag ceremony, I went to the Teachers room. We met the three Vice Principal there, we talked about their school, also my school which is MinSCAT and after that we arranged my schedule. I was very happy to hear some information about their culture and how great their school was, even though the school was not big, they were the top school in Banjarmasin and I was amazed and at the same time felt nervous because it was a challenge for me but I need to show them that MinSCAT can also provide quality education that produce globally competitive individuals in their own fields.

I was excited when Syifa, Feyzar (my buddies) and I went to the class of Grade IX-C. I was given a chance to introduce myself, my school and also the Philippines and they were really happy to saw like me talking with them. They actually used google translator to communicate with me using tagalog and I was amazed seeing them talking Filipino language.

the students are actively participating in the lesson

The topic that I observed was about The Cell Cycle, it’s about the mitosis and meiosis wherein the students are the receiver of information while the teacher are the sources of information but there are a little interaction between the students and the teacher because the teacher also asked related questions to his or her students.

 

A picture of grade 9 students

 

Finally, At Seokarno Hatta International Airport together with two SEA-TEACHER participant from the ISAT-U and Pangasinan State University

Finally, we arrived 2:00 am here in Seokarno Hatta International Airport. And we need to wait at 7:20 am for our domestic flight, so we need to wait for almost 5 hours. While we are waiting for our flights, we go to the food stop to eat something and this is what happened:

Me and my comrades: How much is this food

The crew: Yes

Me and my comrades: How much….the money (we used already the hand gestures)

The crew: Yes

A picture of soto ayam which is the first food I eat in Indonesia with a cost of 50,000 rupiah equivalent to 200 pesos in the Philippines.

We really had a hard time to communicate with the crew because they can’t understand English, we tried to use different hand gesture but still not effective, that’s why I’m so thankful when we saw the menu and by that he already understand us.

Another flight from Seokarno Hatta International Airport (Jakarta) to Syamsudin Noor Airport (South Kalimantan Banjarmasin)

When we arrive at syamsudin airport, Sir Edward was already there but we still need to wait Jordan Copa (Pangasinan State University) because we had a different flight. While we are waiting, he treat us bread and it was my first time to taste Indonesian Bread and it was really delicious. After a few minutes, Jordan has arrived and after some rest we went to the school at University of Lambung Mangkurat. After 1 hour trip, we arrived at the school and I saw other SEA-TEACHER participant also from the Philippines and it’s nice because we’re have the same races bringing Philippines name, showing what we can offer or give to the other country.

After we arrived at our dorm, we went to the grocery to buy some items for our one month stay in Indonesia.

 

I woke up early in the morning, prepared my baggage and thought all the things I must bring during my 1 month stay in Indonesia, and I was wondering how will be my life knowing that I will be independent, too far away from my love ones, different environment, culture, new people and food that I’m going to encounter for my one month stay in other country. But I’m sure in myself that I am ready to face and accept that challenges.

After preparing all my things, I finally left my house and went to NAIA. I boarded a ship from Mindoro to Batangas, after that I rode a bus to go to NAIA for almost 4 hours. So exciting when I finally reached the airport, but as I entered the airport, I felt nervous because I don’t know what to do, where should I start and what will be the process inside the airport. It was my first time, and I was really scared because I’m all alone and I have no comrades to ask about something that’s why I told to myself that you can do it, Jerson! I’m very thankful with the personnel of the airport because whenever I asked question, they answer me and telling the right way and things that I need to do.

 

                                  My Ticket flight to Indonesia. Ready to flight!

Waiting for my flight schedule together with one of the SEA-TEACHER participant from ISAT-U. Her name is Mia Quitalig.

Finally, inside the airplane of Cebu Pacific

“Chicken Sisig”