My very first observing experience

I am eternally grateful for the opportunity (and also obligation) given by my university as a FOE student to have School experience program (SEP) because it truly gave me new insights about education and especially children. In the beginning, i had no idea about how things would be, i just tried to follow all the instructions and advices given by my amazing lecturers. I got the placement in SD Kupu-kupu which is located in Jl. Bangka VII. I am glad that i had already got the overview of this school even before i stepped my foot there because i got to meet one representative who explained me so many interesting things about it on a faculty session.

My first day was on 30rd October 2019, i was a little bit nervous when i entered the 2nd grade class. Fortunately, the teachers were so friendly and warm, they welcomed me nicely and even introduced me to the students. Some of them even came to me to introduce themselves and ask me my name, i found it really heartwarming and cute to see how enthusiastic they were when i first came. After that, i started observing them to choose which one is the most interesting to be observed. I finally chose one of them which is “A”.

I chose “A” because he is ‘special’ compared to the others, he could never sit still and remain silent and would always find something to do, which i found interesting. He was the kind of student that the teachers often remind to be silent and yet he still did not stop. The interesting thing is that he did not like teasing or bothering his friends, but he would usually have fun with his own world and imagination. The teachers explained me that he is considered as hyperactive but he is currently on therapy to reduce that side.

On the next week, i had to choose another children to observe and i chose one named “D”. The teachers told me that he is indeed the kind of children who likes to do uncommon things such as making unnecessary body gestures and noisy voice. However, i found it unique because he was never afraid to respond to the teachers or to talk to me. Some of them were very shy to even talk to me, they would just stare at me with curiousty in their eyes, but he was different.

Time flew by and everything had to come to an end, my SEP ended on 12 November 2019. I personally feel that 2 weeks are too long to be used only for observing 2 children, but it is too short for me to spend my time with them. I had to say goodbye when i had got very close with some of them, there was even one kid who would always come to me just to ask for help. She would say “Ms. Ellena, please help me wear this hijab” with her eyes shining so bright, she even shared many things about her family, pets and her baby little brother. One of the most memorable moments were before the teachers ended the class, Ms. N gave me the opportunity to speak on the front of the class to say goodbye, they were like “Miss why do you have to leave? I want to follow you” which successfully touched my heart.

This 2 weeks have been completely lifechanging for me, i got to spend my time with Ajeng, Rey, Luvita and Rani everyday, we got to share how our day went at the canteen and laugh on each other. I got to learn and broaden my perspective about teachers, children and education. I became more aware that teaching is a never ending process that we, as educators will have in lifetime. I did not only observe their behavior as a student and children, i also observed and learned the amazing learning process that the teachers created in the class. I am completely excited to see what the future has in store for my upcoming SEP, i truly can’t wait!