Jakarta: Phase 2

Meet this fine group of teachers - selected from all over Indonesia based on their performance during my Phase 1 training and also some geo-political facts (for example, this one teacher from a school on a small island near Sumatra, called Simileu, simply had to come...she was the ONE...chosen to represent and serve the entire island). These teachers (30) came to Jakarta for the Phase 2 training, a week long, for then to be serving potentially as regional resource teachers - and some of them were flying for the first time ever. Even though, the group was somewhat too big to handle and for to pay attention to their indvidual and provincial special needs, we had a fruitful and good time - learning from each other.
Phase 2 was building on knowledge foundation that the teachers received during the Phase 1 training, reviewing and expanding it. And in addition, highlighting the key aspects for them what does it actually mean to be a resource teacher.


Well, before they could come for the Phase 2 training, their "training record" had to be in good standing, meaning they had to finish all the requirements as requested at the conclusion of the Phase 1. For example, modified their classrooms and develop simple for-their-students-appropriate books. And majority did really a great job....as you can observe.



And some of them...hmmmm...not that good....as you can observe (below). Yes, the most beautiful one is me. (Hint, yellow hair and on the head little horns-like...hmmm...like sunglasses.)

Anyway, I was nicely surprised by their enthusiasm, hard-work and creativity (hmmm....let me put it that way). Most important part then was sharing post-phase 1 experience from the classroom - what worked for them and what did not, what they would like to learn more. For the very first time, teachers of deaf students from all over Indonesia had a chance to came together and talk about their professional experience, about their perspectives on teaching children with hearing loss....on deaf education in Indonesia. In most, their shared lots of frustration, sadly.

One day, we went to visit a school for children with multiple disabilities - one of the best schools in Indonesia, called Rawinala. It is a private school and therefore, the possibilities differ...however, it was useful and important for them to see that things can be done in different way. The school visit bring new level of energy for them, and therefore we could also finish our Phase 2 training with an ambitious action plan - activities that teachers will try to implement in a period of 4 month, until my next visit. They got lots of new ideas, new materials...and now it is time for them to make it reality. It was their turn, to make changes.

I told them...not to be sad (as some of them were ...hmmmm....crying at this point)... as this is a new beginning, a first step they are making to improve educational experience of their students with hearing loss. And I believe that they will try hard and wish them a good luck!


See you in November, dear guru-guru :)