As part of the 9th batch of the SEA-Teacher Exchange Student Program, I was able to visit a country and meet amazing and beautiful people whom I enjoyed trying different dishes and adventures with and most importantly I’ve experienced being a teacher. For a month, I observed, learned, and had fun!

Vision

Based on the analysis of the context of SD Labschool UNESA for the 2022-2023 academic year, the following vision was formulated: "To create a generation of faith, civility, knowledge and achievement."

"Faithful, Civilized, Knowledgeable, Achiever"

Mission

Based on the vision, the mission of SD Labschool Unesa is as follows:

1. SD Labschool Unesa has a mission to create a school culture that has morals, fosters local wisdom, is honest, creative, innovative, and dedicated to the achievement of Growing With Character,
   
2. SD Labschool Unesa produces graduates who are of high quality in their intellectual development and have the character of piety, honesty, creativity, are able to be role models, work hard, are tolerant and capable of leading, and have a global outlook, and can play a role in the development of science and technology based on IMTAQ.
   

I had my class observations and teaching at SD Labschool UNESA 2. This school is located at Lidah Wetan, Lakarsantri, Surabaya, East Java, Indonesia. They have a four-story building for Grades 1 to 6, two sections each grade level, A and B, except for Grade 1 that has three sections. Classes will start as early as 7:30 AM and end at 2:00 PM.

In terms of academic support system, this includes different resources inside each classroom such as the the tables and chairs for each students, white board, projector, and speaker. Furthermore, other facilities like comfort room, band room, laboratory, media room, prayer room, and other rooms that are utilized to support the development of each learners. Furthermore, a handicap ramp connects all the floors; an evidence of an inclusive school. Extra classes are also given to the students depending on their needs. I had an opportunity to teach one of those extra classes and I learned that it was a mixed class; I handled grades 3 to 5 in one class. My goal for that session was to let my students use the English language when they speak.

Similar to the Philippines, teachers in SD Labschool do similar routines before the start of the meeting: prayer, checking of attendance, motivation activity, and recapitulation of the lesson. Lesson Plans are written in semi-detailed and in contextual approach. They used realia to connect the lesson in a real life situation, used games, reporting and presentation, and peer tutoring.

Furthermore, teachers in SD Labschool make sure that students are learning in a fun and exciting way using technology integration. Quizzes and other activities are designed to immerse learners in the 21st century skills. Hence, they utilize computers and chromebooks for different activities since they believe that technology should be part of learning. They also use PowerPoint Presentations and videos from YouTube as supplemental teaching aids. Moreover, assessments are authentic and is composed of performance and written test. Moreover, the academic calendar is in 12 months. Overall, in SD Labschool learners are are taught in a student centric approach!

In terms of curriculum, they use International Curriculum and Indonesian Curriculum. Because of that, Science and Math subjects are divided into two: Mathematics, Math English, Science, and Natural Science plus other subjects for different languages, livelihood, P.E, religion, civic, and etc. Aside from that, books for Class A and B are written in different languages.

Class A used books that are written in English and Class B used books that are written in Bahasa. That is why when I handled section B classes it was challenging because of the language barrier. I have to speak more slowly and ask my buddy or my cooperating teacher to translate for me when needed. I also learned that in Class A there were students that were native in different languages and for that they used English language. In class B there are students with special needs and therefore require support from other teachers, they call them “shadow teachers”. Thus, in SD Labschool every class that has students with special needs are supported by a shadow teacher. Furthermore, they provide a room for learners who need extra care and support.

As for the classroom management, teachers in SD Labschool used codes to get the attention of the students like for instance in 2nd grade, when Ms. Vira says “boom-clap-boom-boom-clap” the learners will use it as a code to stamp the table with their hands like a drum and clap to get the same sound. The learners enjoyed it a lot and after that they are ready to listen again.

Now, let's talk about Religion. SD Labschool is inclusive and diverse. I was surprised to know that each religion (Islam, Hinduism, Catholic, and Christian) has its own rooms where students can pray and learn about their faith. And despite having different religions, I saw that every student in SD Labschool respects everyone and has a good relationship with each other. They value respect for their elders, teachers, and their classmates above all. Indeed, SD Labschool is a “School of Character”.

A month of being in this program taught me how to apply my knowledge in an actual classroom as well as learn new approaches from our mentors hence, refining my skills in the teaching profession. SEA-Teacher Program also exposed me to diverse learners (i.e. nationality, culture, religion, etc.) making me more sensitive to their needs as well as boosted my cultural competence. Moreover, my professionalism and interpersonal skills were developed as I engage in conversations with new people I met although sometimes it was difficult due language barrier. Overall, my experiences are evidences of a successful implementation of these program as it provided me with the opportunity to observed different classes for a week and two weeks of teaching demonstration. I just hope that next time the agreed upon schedules would be strictly followed.

Dearest Educ students,

I have realized a lot of things in this program. I met new friends, that I intend to keep, and gain new experiences that equipped me in this profession, so if you are given the same opportunity, grab it and seize the moment!

Love,

Ms. Em