Journey of a Sea Teacher

Welcome to My SEA Teacher Blog!

 

Hello! I’m Ramona Angela R. Genodifa, a 4th-year Early Childhood Education student at Philippine Normal University. 

I was deployed at Cipta Kreatif Bangsa Pre-school, a partnership school of Sriwijaya University in Palembang.

Join me as I share my journey, challenges, and experiences.

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SEPTEMBER 18, 2024

Arrival and Welcome Party

The day we arrived in Palembang and were warmly greeted by the Vice Dean, lecturers, and fellow SEA Teacher participants with traditional headdresses. After settling in, we attended a welcoming ceremony at Universitas Sriwijaya. And the day ended with full of learning, adaptability, and cultural exchange.

SEPTEMBER 19, 2024

Orientation at Cipta Kreatif Bangsa

On orientation day at CKB, the School Head introduced the school's vision and mission, emphasizing its student-centered approach. We also received the school handbook, which outlined policies and values focused on nurturing students holistically.

SEPTEMBER 20, 2024

First day

On our first day at Cipta Kreatif Bangsa, we followed a temporary schedule with tasks like greeting students, joining routines, and assisting in the main hall. We also conducted a first day observation to understand how the education system works at CKB.

SEPTEMBER 21, 2024

Visited Sultan Mahmud Badaruddin II Museum and Ampera Bridge

On our 4th day, we had the opportunity to visit the museum, exploring the city's history and cultural heritage with our buddies from the ECE program at Sriwijaya University. We gained insights into its significance and admired the stunning Ampera Bridge, a beautiful landmark offering a picturesque view of the Musi River and serving as an important symbol of Palembang.

SEPTEMBER 23-25, 2024

 

Observation of K1 and K2 classes

During these three days, we rotated between K1 and K2 classes, observing different teaching methods. The child-centered approach, combining play-based learning and structured activities, kept students engaged. Playing with the K2 students was my favorite part and I also helped with planning and materials. The rotation provided a comprehensive view of the classrooms, but communication was challenging due to the language barrier, as most students spoke Bahasa.

SEPTEMBER 28, 2024

Visiting Gramedia and tried the LRT

We had an exciting day visiting Gramedia World, the largest bookstore in Palembang, and experiencing the LRT for the first time. We were accompanied by our three buddies from the ECE program at Universitas Sriwijaya (Unsri), which made exploring the city even more enjoyable.

OCTOBER 1, 2024

Campus visit at Indralaya Campus

We visited the Indralaya Campus, the main campus of Universitas Sriwijaya (Unsri), for the first time. Our main purpose was to complete our student registration, but we also had a little campus tour and enjoyed lunch at their cafeteria.

OCTOBER 2-4, 2024

Observation

The following days were spent observing classes to prepare for our micro-teaching week. We rotated through different classes, reviewed our notes, got familiar with routines, and interacted with students and teachers.

OCTOBER 6, 2024

Visited Kambang Iwak

On October 6th, we spent a wonderful day visiting Kambang Iwak, one of Palembang's most popular spots.

OCTOBER 7, 2024

First day of my daily micro-teaching

It was my first time fully teaching them, as before, I only helped with their worksheets or clarified topics they didn’t fully understand. I felt pressured and nervous, especially thinking about the language barrier. However, I could see on their faces that they were trying to understand me, even though I spoke entirely in English. The first day wasn’t smooth, but I know it’s part of the learning process.

OCTOBER 8, 2024

Second day of  my daily micro-teaching

The second day wasn't smooth either, but the students became more comfortable with me teaching the lesson.

OCTOBER 9, 2024

Third day of my daily micro-teaching

The third day was similar to the second, but this time, Bu Windi gave us feedback. She pointed out that our activity and materials didn’t align with the theme and asked us interns to revise them to better connect with the theme. We were also asked to prepare for our final demo.

October 10, 2024

Final micro-teaching

The day began with our final micro-teaching session, which felt like a milestone in our teaching journey. Each of us was assigned a classroom for our final lesson, where we put into practice everything we had learned. The lesson went well, and I felt more confident in my teaching compared to the first few days. Saying goodbye to the students was tough, and it was bittersweet knowing it was our last day teaching them.

OCTOBER 12, 2024

Jakabaring Sport City and G-Walk with CKB Teachers

It was a day filled with fun and bonding as we visited Jakabaring Sports City (JSC) and G-Walk with the teachers from Cipta Kreatif Bangsa. This was our first and last bonding experience with them outside of school, making it a truly memorable day.

OCTOBER 14, 2024

Visited Kemaro Island

We visited Kemaro Island, famous for its cultural significance and beautiful scenery, with two lecturers from UNSRI as our guides. We explore and hear the stories, especially the legend of the Chinese princess. The island’s beauty and rich culture left a lasting impression on me.

OCTOBER 15, 2024

Closing Ceremony

It was the day it truly sank in that we were heading back to the Philippines. The closing ceremony was heartfelt and memorable, filled with speeches from those who had been a meaningful part of our journey. The Dean, Dr. Rita, Bu Windi, Bu Mei, Bu Nova, and Ms. Via—one of our mentors from CKB—all took turns sharing their reflections on our time in Palembang. Each expressed gratitude and appreciation for the moments we shared, highlighting the growth, friendships, and cultural exchange that marked our experience here. Hearing their words made us realize the impact of our journey, both on ourselves and on those who welcomed us so warmly. It was a beautiful way to end this chapter, filled with emotion and memories we’ll carry with us.

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A special thanks to Philippine Normal University (PNU) for giving us this incredible opportunity, and to the lecturers at Universitas Sriwijaya (UNSRI) who guided and supported us throughout our journey. We are especially grateful to Dr. Rita, Bu Windi, Bu Nova, and the other dedicated mentors who went above and beyond to make us feel at home, offering guidance, care, and encouragement every step of the way. Their support not only helped us grow as educators but also enriched our experience in Palembang, leaving us with memories and lessons we’ll cherish forever.