EduQuest Indonesia: A Student Teacher’s Journey

  Hello and welcome to my blog! My name is Nomer Jr Santiago Narciso, and I am a fourth-year education student at Capiz State University, Burias Campus. This blog is all about my journey as a SEA Teacher. Through this program, I have a chance to teach, learn, and grow in a new country. It’s an exciting experience where I get to meet amazing students, work with inspiring teachers, and explore a different way of teaching. My host university is Universitas Muhammadiyah Surakarta (UMS), and my cooperating school is SMP Muhammadiyah 5 Surakarta (Muliska). I am excited to share my experiences, challenges, and lessons as I step out of my comfort zone and embrace this wonderful opportunity. This experience will not always be easy. There will be challenges, moments of doubt, and lessons I will learn the hard way. But I believe that every struggle is part of the journey, and every challenge will make me stronger. Join me as I take on this adventure, and I hope my journey inspires you too!

  Halo semuanya! My name is Nomer Jr Santiago Narciso from the Philippines. I am a 4th-year Science Education student at Capiz State University, Burias Campus .  I have always been passionate about learning, leading, and growing. As a journalist for the Burias Student Publication and an active student leader, I have worked hard to make the most of every opportunity. But the most life-changing experience I have ever had was being part of the 10th Batch of the SEA Teacher Student Exchange Program in Southeast Asia. This program was more than just a journey. It was a dream come true. I used to be just a boy with a simple dream to visit another country, step out of my comfort zone, and see the world in a new way. For so long, it felt impossible, like a wish that would never come true. But deep in my heart, I believed that one day the right time would come. I held on to the words from the Bible: "When the time is right, I, the Lord, will make it h...

  A. School: General Information and Academic Administration 1.2 School Profile SMP Muhammadiyah 5 Surakarta, also known as Muliska, is a junior high school under the Muhammadiyah Regional Leadership of Surakarta City. Originally founded in 1947 as the Aisyiah Girls' Intelligence School, it was renamed on July 1, 1977. Located on Jalan Slamet Riyadi No. 443, the school provides a comfortable learning environment with easy access for its academic community. Accredited by BAN-SM, Muliska is committed to producing a generation of champions grounded in faith, science, technology, and morals. With professional teachers, dedicated staff, and complete facilities, the school offers a well-rounded education through its various programs. Muliska provides four superior programs to accommodate different student needs. The  Boarding School Program   offers structured learning with dedicated caregivers to help students focus on academics and Qur'anic memorization. The  Tahfidz Spe...

   1.1 Teaching Methods At  Sekolah Menengah Pertama (SMP) Muhammadiyah 5 Surakarta , teachers use different teaching approaches and strategies to help students learn effectively. During my first observation, I was in the class of  Pak Adi , an English teacher who also served as our guide throughout our stay at the school. I noticed that he used interactive activities to keep students engaged and active in class. Since he teaches English, he spoke in English most of the time, and I was amazed that the students could understand him well. Even though the lesson was simple, he still applied effective teaching strategies to ensure that students stayed interested. I also admired his personality and the way he delivered his lessons. This experience made me realize that teaching is not just about explaining lessons but also about how teachers interact with their students. Pak Adi’s use of interactive and engaging  PowerPoint presentations  further enhanced the les...

  Curriculum SMP Muhammadiyah 5 Surakarta follows an independent curriculum where everyone is free to learn. Teachers have the flexibility to choose materials and strategies based on students' abilities and capacity to learn. As far as I know, Indonesian teachers have many responsibilities to the Ministry of Education, requiring them to prepare 11 documents before starting teaching each semester. Teaching Plan Related to My Major The teaching plan used in relation to my major, which is science, is usually based on textbooks and other learning resources. Teachers employ a variety of methods and strategies when creating lesson plans. They primarily use student-centered learning approaches, designing their lesson plans, teaching strategies, and materials according to their students' abilities. In preparing lessons and materials, teachers typically follow the curriculum to ensure organization. From my observations, they use PowerPoint presentations, projectors, and whiteboards as l...

   1.1  Procedures of Teaching This is the most exciting part for me, as I finally get to teach the students, something I am truly passionate about. Since I am teaching science, my topic is  Classification of Living Things . The textbook was in Indonesian, so I translated it into English before creating my lesson plan. The school recommended that we use our own lesson plan format, as the Indonesian format can be quite complex. To ensure an engaging lesson, I designed clear objectives that would encourage student participation. I also incorporated teaching techniques and strategies that I used in the Philippines, such as setting classroom rules, starting with a prayer, reviewing the previous lesson, and using a motivation activity before introducing the new topic. I applied my creativity by making learning materials and visual aids using manila paper and colored paper to enhance my discussion and make it more interesting. During the lesson, I was thrilled to see my st...

    1.1  Purpose of Practicum Stepping into another country, learning about its cultures, traditions, and teaching experiences will always be one of the happiest moments of my life. This project aims to provide an opportunity for pre-service student teachers from universities in Southeast Asia to gain teaching experience (practicum) in schools in other Southeast Asian countries. When I arrived in Indonesia, I knew exactly what my purpose was. I was there to develop my teaching skills and pedagogy, practice my English, gain a broader regional and global perspective, and be exposed to diverse teaching and learning situations while embracing the value of flexibility. I was truly happy to witness with my own eyes the cultures and traditions different from those in the Philippines. I saw how welcoming and friendly the Indonesian people are, especially the students. I met different people who were all warm and friendly, greeting me with genuine smiles. Speaking English was a ch...