MY STORY

WEEK 1

In the first week of the SEA Teacher program at Mariano Marcos State University (MMSU), I started my journey on October 7 by leaving Indonesia for the Philippines and arrived in Laoag City on the morning of October 8. Upon arrival, I immediately participated in various activities. I visited MMSU's main campus in Batac City for a campus tour and had the honor of meeting the President of MMSU. This visit gave me a deep impression and motivation to go through this program with enthusiasm. There, I also got to know some of the MMSU LAB School teachers and met my resource teacher, Sir Tristan Deo Paranas, who will guide me throughout the program. 

In addition, I had the opportunity to witness the excitement of Intramurals Day, a sporting event that involves many students. During the event, I interacted with students majoring in education, which gave me a new insight into the dynamics of their social life. Next, I participated in a math class orientation for grade 11 STEM A. This experience gave me a valuable insight into the teaching methods used in the Philippines, which will help me prepare for future teaching practices. We also enjoyed shopping and dinner together there. One of the most interesting experiences was our first ride on a tricycle vehicle, which provided a unique experience and added to the excitement of our trip.

On the weekend, my fellow Indonesian students and I participated in recreational activities with Prof. Jannete and Ma'am Ibalio. We visited several famous tourist destinations by using a jeepney vehicle in Ilocos Norte, such as the majestic Fort Ilocandia, the historic San Agustin Church in Paoay which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the beautiful Currimao Beach, and Robinsons Mall, where we were able to relax and enjoy the atmosphere. This first week was memorable, providing rich experiences and deepening my understanding of Philippine education and culture.

The following are photo documentation of the series of activities in the first week

WEEK 2

In the second week of the SEA Teacher program in the Philippines, I started my activities on Monday, 14 October 2024, by attending the flag ceremony at MMSU Ilocos Norte. This ceremony was special because I was able to experience first-hand how the culture of respect for the country is implemented in the Philippine school environment. Next, I attended the 35th National Statistics Month competition at Robinson Mall with my student buddy, Darwin, the resource teacher, and the competition participants, Jyrhyn Xyry Ablog, Rhea Alaba, and Lor Reine Vega. In the vibrant atmosphere of the competition, I witnessed their struggle and hard work that finally paid off. They managed to obtain high scores and win this stage, allowing them to proceed to the next stage. This moment brought happiness and gratitude to all of us, as well as a valuable experience for me to support students' talents in statistics.

On Tuesday, my fellow Indonesian students and I attended the Laoag City Athletic Association Meet 2024. The event provided an insight into the students' enthusiasm for sports and the important role that sports play in school activities in the Philippines. Seeing the students passionately compete in the games was inspiring to encourage their interest in various fields, including non-academics.

On Wednesday, I had a discussion with the resource teacher about lesson plans. We discussed how to develop and adapt lesson plans to suit the needs of students in the classroom, especially in preparing math materials that are interesting and easy to understand. On Thursday, my friend Agastya and I went to Pandayan Bookshop to buy materials to create learning media aimed at visualizing circles and ellipses in mathematics. After shopping, we had the opportunity to explore some historical places around Laoag. We passed by the Sinking Bell Tower, known as the bell tower that keeps “sinking” due to its foundation structure. We also visited Aurora Park, where the Abolition of Tobacco Monopoly Monument honors the important colonial history of the Spanish abolition of the tobacco monopoly. Around the area, we saw the MacArthur Highway End Point, as well as visited the fountains at Aurora Park, the Ilocos Norte Provincial Capitol, and the Marcos Hall of Justice, each of which had its own architectural and historical nuances that enriched our insight into the city of Laoag.

Over the weekend, students from Indonesia and India and I traveled to some interesting places around Ilocos Norte. We traveled to Vigan City, Ilocos Sur Province. The city is famous for its historic district that still retains its distinctive Spanish colonial architecture, making it feel like stepping back in time. We visited RG Jar Factory, a famous pottery production site that preserves the traditional Ilocos art and produces various clay products. Our next destination was Hidden Garden, a beautiful garden hidden behind tropical trees, providing a tranquil setting with a variety of local plants and artistic decorations. Aside from enjoying the beauty of the ancient buildings, we also had the opportunity to shop for unique and interesting souvenirs. We also stopped by the National Museum of the Philippines Ilocos Regional Complex, located in Laoag. The museum has a diverse collection of Philippine history and culture, particularly around Ilocos Norte, giving a deeper understanding of the cultural development of the area. Lastly, we visited Museo nina Juan and Antonio Luna, a museum that immortalizes the lives of two famous Filipino national figures, Juan Luna as an artist and Antonio Luna as a military hero. The museum provides a look into their lives and their important roles in Philippine history.

The following are photo documentation of the series of activities in the second week

WEEK 3

In the third week of the SEA Teacher program, I started my activities by observing the 11th grade STEM A and STEM B classes. On that day, the topics covered by the teacher included General Equation of Conic Sections, Ellipse, Equation of an Ellipse, and how to draw an ellipse graph. This observation was very useful, giving me insight into how to deliver good material to prepare my teaching plan. After the observation, I continued making lesson plans, which became the main focus of my activities this week. I adjusted the learning materials to suit the students' needs and also paid attention to how the methods I used would help them more easily understand the concept of an ellipse.

Over the weekend, my fellow students and I went traveling. We first visited Bannuar iti Amianan, a famous park in the Ilocos region that offers incredible natural scenery. Bannuar iti Amianan is a memorial park in Ilocos Norte, Philippines, dedicated to war heroes and important figures in Philippine history, especially those from the northern region of the country. The name “Bannuar iti Amianan” itself means “Hero of the North” in the Ilokano language, reflecting the respect for national and regional heroes who have fought for Philippine independence and freedom. The park not only offers beautiful scenery and tranquil green areas to visit, but also has monuments, statues, and plaques that tell the history of the struggle of the Filipino people, particularly from Ilocos Norte. It is often used for recreation as well as historical education, allowing visitors to get up close to the important contributions made by local heroes and community leaders. 

Afterwards, we traveled to Pagudpud Beach, where we enjoyed a relaxing time by the beautiful beach with its white sand and clear blue water. While visiting Pagudpud Beach during a sightseeing trip, I really enjoyed the stunning beauty of the beach. I didn't miss the opportunity to capture this moment by taking lots of pictures, capturing the beauty of nature and the happy impression felt in every corner of the beach. This experience was very memorable, becoming one of the moments of relaxation and unforgettable memories while in the Philippines. We also made a stop in Bangui to see the Bagui Windmills, a row of huge windmills that have become an icon of renewable energy in the Philippines. In the late afternoon, we took a break at a cafe called Eighteen Degrees North. There, I felt very happy and enjoyed the soothing twilight atmosphere, accompanied by an ice choco hazelnut drink. It was a memorable moment of relaxation after a week full of academic preparation and social interaction.

The following are photo documentation of the series of activities in the third week

WEEK 4

In the last week of the SEA Teacher program, I focused on mentorship and preparation for teaching practice. Together with my resource teacher, Sir Tristan Deo Paranas, I reviewed the lesson plan that I had made. I continued the preparation of teaching materials by making PPTs and practicing teaching practice to make sure everything went smoothly. On October 29, 2024, I did my actual teaching in class 11 STEM A with the topic of Word Problems in Conic Sections which included the circle and ellipse. I used the Lectures and Discussions method and the Problem-Based Learning model, which received a positive response from the students. Students actively participated in the discussion and showed interest in the material I presented, which made the classroom atmosphere more interactive. As part of the learning process, I also asked students to fill in reflections through a Google form. Before actual teaching, I was a teaching assistant for math exams in STEM A and STEM B grade 11. This experience gave me additional insight into the supervision and management of the class during the exam.

On October 30, 2024, I along with other SEA Teacher participants attended the Celebration of Culture at Balay ti Alumni, Mariano Marcos State University, at 8:30 am. In this event, Widya, a fellow SEA Teacher from Indonesia, and I performed the Wonderful Indonesia dance which was well received. Several other participants also performed Indonesian dances and folk songs, introducing our culture with pride. During the message session, Prof. Jeanette G. Dials, Head of International Student and Faculty Mobilization, delivered a memorable quote: “This batch of 10 SEA teachers is the batch of student teachers we have received since we joined the program, especially Salwa whose resource teacher, Tristan Deo Pariñas said has a very good teaching plan.” Hearing that, I was touched, surprised, and grateful for this recognition.

After the program, I continued with a reflection session with my resource teacher regarding the actual teaching that I had done. She provided valuable advice and suggestions for me to develop my teaching skills in the future. For future improvement, one of the main suggestions in classroom management at the high school level is the importance of recognizing the characteristics of each student in providing feedback during the learning process. Each student has different learning styles, interests and needs, so an individualized approach to feedback can greatly affect their motivation and engagement.

On November 4, 2024, I returned to Indonesia. I am very grateful for the valuable experience I gained during this program, which has become a provision for me to improve my skills in education and teaching that I will apply in Indonesia later. I would like to thank God Almighty, my resource teachers who have guided me with dedication, as well as the lecturers of Pekalongan University who supported me in the SEA Teacher batch 10 program at Mariano Marcos State University. I would also like to express my deepest gratitude to my parents and family for their constant support and encouragement, to my proud 11th grade STEM A and STEM B students, and my batch mates at MMSU. This experience will be a precious memory and inspiration for my journey ahead.

The following are photo documentation of the series of activities in the fourth week