First SMAN-10 Experience

Today is the day where we visit our practicum schools. Enthel went to SMAN-2 while I went to SMAN-10. I rode Pa Atin (my supervising teacher in Physics) motorcycle and went to my assigned school. My first expection is that SMAN-10 is an ordinary school similar to SMAN-2 that we saw when we arrived from Balikpapan.

The place where school events held

The route is a bit extreme as we went by a hill. Pa Atin pointed at a school in the hill's peka and told that it was once the main building of SMAN-10 but instead transfer to another location that is bigger and better. When we entered the main high way I saw a big dome and a signed named, "Education Center." Pa Atin said that we have arrived and this is the current facility for SMAN-10. I was blown away as it exceeds my expectation by 10 fold. The facility is huge! With a different buildings dedicated to different grade levels. For perspective, the area of the school is similar to 1/4 of UST. Pa Atin told me that the dome in the center is use when there are events being held in school, such as graduation and religious events. Once we pass the dome, there is a huge football field and behind it is the main office. We went inside on a sort of office to discuss about my program in SMAN-10. I couldn't understand what they are discussing about as they speak in Bahasa, but I feel like they talk about my schedule and the duration of my stay in SMAN-10 and in Indonesia.

Talking with the head of curriculum management in SMAN-10

Grade 10 Building

I also met my SMAN-10 buddy Regina and her colleagues during the meeting. I remember their name being Deda, Ito and Ivan. After the meeting, Pa Atin told me to visit the different facilities for me to be familiarize about the school. The first building that we went to is the Gr. 10 building where I will teach next week. It has a similar design to the public schools in my country, but the only big difference is that is is cleaner and more alive. The canteen is located in the main entrance, and that it was their 1st break during the time I'm visiting the facility. I saw the students going pass by. One of Regina's colleagues told me that the students always greet their student when passing by a teacher, so I should greet them back. I was actually very nervous and excited meeting my future students. It felt like my passion for teaching is getting fueled again!

After visiting the Grade 10 building, we went to the physics laboratory located in the Gr. 12 building. Once we entered, the first thing that I saw is a telescope near the window. Pa Fahrul (my supervising teacher in SMAN-10) told me that the telescope is currently not used as their is a piece missing in the instrument. The laboratory is huge and contains 4 pairs of long table adjacent to each other. At the back of the laboratory is a doorwhere the laboratory technician stays. Inside, I saw a box filled with cars, and Pa Fahrul told me that the cars are used to demonstrate speed and acceleration. "OMG! That's amazing!" I thought to myself. I was thinking of replicating it once I return to the Philippines to use it as a teaching activity for my students.

Outside of the laboratory there is another room that leads to the inventory that contains various laboratory tools and equipment that a teacher can use for their practicum! When I saw these, I got a little bit jealous that my students back in the EHS will never get to experience these. They have a lot of tools to demonstrate Ohm's law, a solar panel and other electrical equipment!

After visiting the laboratory, Deda (If I remember correctly) told me that someone is excited to see me in person. I got embarrassed when hearing that, because they know that I will be arriving in their school before and that they wanted to meet me. We went back to the office and entered a room filled with their colleagues!! I can't believe that I will meet a lot of people, especially another pre-service teacher! The room is filled with PST that specializes in various subjects such as Math, Chemsitry, Physics, Biology, Bahasa Indonesia and English, Computer, PE and even in Counceling. It is a lively room filled with excited students. I'm also excited in meeting them, but also nervous. It felt like my heart is about to explode hearing them talking each other.

Deda, introduces her colleagues to me: Dinda, Dinde (Her name is Adinda, but since there are another Dinda in the room, her nickname became Dinde), Itto, Ivan, Regina, Yiska, Wahyu, Mega, Oji, Rina, Ika, Nisa, Odim, Bonita, Dafa, Shell and many more. They are 17 students in the room during that time, and Deda also added that there is another person missing and that he is absent. I can't fully describe how happy I am meeting them, and I hope I can share unforgettable memories with them while I'm staying here in Indonesia.

While sitting frozen in my chair, someone told me to visit Pa Fahrul's office on the other room. I was given my own desk and chair in which I can stay during my practicum in SMAN-10. I'm grateful for them providing me a desk, but it felt like having a desk in a regular teacher's faculty is a bit too much and prefer staying with my buddy and her colleagues back their. Nevertheless, I'm still thankful for providing me a desk to prepare with my lesson plan. A few minutes later, Pa Atin called me as we will return back to UNMUL. I say my goodbyes and return back to my supervising teacher.

Once I return back to my dormitory, they suddenly created a group chat with the name "Welcome Rene" Of course, that made me laugh out loud. They started talking in Indonesia, so I couldn't understand what they are saying, but Regina sent a picture of them in a park near UNMUL and that they wanted me to go their to meet them again. I gladly accept and started walking from the dormitory to the park. I first saw Regina drinking coffee, and that she is with someone whom I forgot. I asked about the others and she told me that they will be here soon. They asked if I have eat anything and what food I prefer, but I said that I prefer coffee instead since it is been days since I drank one. We went to this stall that sells ice coffee and I ordered "Avocado Coffee" because it is weird and might taste funny.

The PST that I met earlier arrived and we decided to sit on a long bench. We talk various topics such as if I know any Indonesian words or about my first experience in Indonesia. The conversation is quite funny and cute in my opinion as they use google translate to translate Indonesian to English since they have having difficult time in speaking in English, but I appreciate their effort. It is almost night and they told me that they need to leave early as they need to pray.

First group photo with my colleagues

Meeting them outside the school for the first time is quite a surprise to be honest. They are welcoming and friendly, even if I don't understand what they are saying 80% of the time. Nevertheless, I wish to form new memories with my colleagues here in Indonesia!