My Experience: Teaching and Reflecting

Par Mr. Antonius Agus Sulistyono
Sep 27th, 2017

My name is Mr. Antonius Agus Sulistyono. I am a teacher in St. Petrus Canisius Minor Seminary of Mertoyudan Magelang Indonesia. My subject is « Pancasila » (five principles) and Civic Education. I have been teaching in the Seminary since 2010. I am happy teaching in the Seminary because it gives me the experience of engaging with seminarians, teachers and with many different activities. Learning together with seminarians is very interesting to me as it helps me to develop my ability to teach.

Mr Anton Agus with the Global Map
Mr. Antonius Agus Sulistyono. Teacher in St. Petrus Canisius Minor Seminary of Mertoyudan Magelang, Indonesia

For example, in studying about political culture with the discussion method, I gave a stimulus with the question, « Can you analyze a correlation between political culture and a political system? » From this question, many people in the class were inspired to give their opinions. With this method, I can help students to develop their critical thinking skills. They also improve their self confidence, critical thinking, and alternative ideas. The important thing is to make their learning contextual and relevant to their own lives.Mr Anton from Indonesia

I also used the values clarification technique (VCT) in my method. We can make stimulants from social cases or the contextual news. In my experience with this method we could internalize not only the cognitive aspect but also the affective aspect. I always used this in my learning with seminarians because it was very effective to build EQ, IQ and SQ for our students. For example, in studying about democracy, firstly, I introduced the concept of democracy, using the question, « what would happen if there was a state without democracy, and what would happen if there was a democracy without a state? » to stimulate discussion. The concept of democracy and the analysisis of the correlation between democracy and the state become the spirit for the students to learn this topic.

After that, the students were asked to research the amount of electricity used in the Seminary. How many lamps do we use in our community, and how many computers are not used anymore? With this simple research, the students had to present the result of the research in front of the class. In the last studies, the teacher played a video about the rate of electricity in many villages in Indonesia. As well as the video, the teacher also prepared news about the rate of electricity in many regions in Indonesia. In this learning, the teacher invited the students to think, to build the sense in their heart and to feel the situation of people who could not use electricity. This method is used to increase compassion (EQ). Students had to find strategy to solve the problem (IQ) and to reflect on their sense of learning (SQ).

What was the correlation between democracy and the usage of electricity research?  Democracy is the government from people, by people, and for people, so if we used the electricity without responsibility, there would still be a lot of people who could not use electricity. Democracy is about social justice; from people, by people and for people.

I also took the opportunity to reflect on Pope Francis’ message, « feel what you think and what you do, and do what you think and what you feel! »

For me this is an important part of being a teacher.

——

Behind the colorful and diverse global map of schools there are people. People who are constantly creating and passing along knowledge to children and youngsters. When this knowledge and these teachers’ experiences are passed along it enriches the lives not only of the students but also of other teachers.

It was identified that about 50,586 staff are teaching and working in our Jesuits schools globally. This large quantity of colleagues can bring with it great opportunity for all teachers around the world! An opportunity to grow professionally and personally by learning from colleagues around the world!

The teachers of our global school network have their own stories, experiences, and hopes, just as  Mr. Antonius. We invite you to read it, share it with your colleges, reflect on it and even write your own!

If you would like to share your own expertise and experience on a particular subject as a teacher of a Jesuit and Ignatian school please contact Ciara at cbeuster@educatemagis.org