Dedicated to (My) Teachers

2nd of May is an important day for Indonesia. Today we celebrate national education day to commemorate our hero, Ki Hajar Dewantara.

Ki Hajar Dewantara is until today teacher for Indonesians. He was born on May 2nd 1889. He was an educated Indonesian. He worked as a journalist until he made an article that insulted the Dutch government. He then believed that he should have educate Indonesians because education is the key to success. He established a school named Nationaal Onderwijs Instituut Tamansiswa (Taman Siswa). He then became the first minister of education of Indonesia.

Due to national education day I'd like to dedicate this post to my teachers. They are 5 teachers I admire the most.

1. TH
His name is Tri (I forget his last name). He taught me civic in SMAK1. One thing about this man: he is unique. He has an interesting view about politic. He does not hide facts to his students and he knows a lot. He told us story that US participated in the G30S/PKI. Even he showed us the notorious short film Fitna and we discussed it together in the class. He used to be a bad guy before teaching. He worked for government and he was a corruptor. He was once jailed. And, finally he decided to begin a new and better life by being a teacher. He might not be a popular teacher in SMAK1. But he is one of my favorites. He is also used to multiculturalism. He is a catholic but his siblings are Islam, Christian and Hindu. His class makes a lot of fun. He once told us his experience witnessing ghosts too. In his class we also learn how to develop our view in politic.
I actually had a unique experience with him. He once caught me texting with my handphone. I was so afraid that he would take my cellphone and I lied I wasn't texting. He finally made me confess I was texting. He didn't take my phone. He just warned me softly to pay attention in class.

2. KM
It is interesting that I put 2 civic teachers of SMAK1 in top 2. Her name is Katrina (I know her last name but I decided not to write it because I'm afraid she googles her name and find this site). KM is a very very great teacher. I think Indonesia should have her as a leader. She is smart, tough and respectable. Unlike Mr. TH, Mrs. KM is one of the most popular teachers in SMAK1. Everyone in SMAK1 knows her. And everyone fears and respects her. She is the most obedient teacher in SMAK1 and she makes students obedient. Every girl has to tie her hair. Every students have to be on time at class (and she also always comes on time). During her lesson, the class is always so quiet and perfect for learning. Somehow, the quietness is not boring because Mrs. KM always has interesting story to tell (and if we fall asleep, she will yell at us so I guess nobody dares to sleep in the class). She is the realisation of female emancipation. She doesn't think like an ordinary indonesian woman. She is a very tough lady.
She makes her students read newspaper, watch news on TV, keep updated with political issues. In her test the questions are not only things like this: What does parlament means? But some of her questions are like this: What is happening in Greece and what do you think would be the best way to solve the problem? And, that makes us read newspapers and watch news programmes.

3. YB
History is not just about memorizing complicated names like Sri Maharaja Rakai Halu Sri Dharmawangsa Airlangga Anantawikramottunggadewa or memorizing when the first ASEAN summit took place. Yustini, the history teacher of SMAK1, makes me realize that history is just a puzzle. One thing leads to another thing. Eventhough my friends always fell asleep during her class, I did not want to miss her class. She answers the question why West Java and Central Java have different cultures but Sumatra has the same. She makes me know why Japan is not the same with other Asian nations. Other history teachers just sit down and tell bedtime stories. But she stands in front of the class and tells what makes the world become like this right now. She is the only one who explained to me the background of terrorism. And, I told this to my dad and he also hadn't known about this story. I admire her so much.

4. Anwar
Indonesians student underestimate Bahasa Indonesia teachers. They think everyone can be Bahasa Indonesia teacher. But Mr. Anwar, the Bahasa Indonesia teacher of SMPK7 Penabur, makes me believe everyone cannot be Bahasa Indonesia teacher. And, Bahasa Indonesia becomes something important. He taught me that even Bahasa Indonesia has structure and grammar (which most Indonesians say: "Ah, Bahasa Indonesia is so easy. It has no grammar). That is wrong. Bahasa Indonesia has grammar but the grammar doesn't deal with time like most european languages (well in English, French, German, etc. the verb changes its form when it describes an action happend in the past or present or future). Indonesian grammar is in fact more complicated. Mr. Anwar taught us how the prefix me- can have different meanings. He taught us too about KMS, KMB and KMC, which people think they are complicated and weird. And, he taught us how to make Indonesian poems.
I thank Mr. Anwar because I got 98 for my Bahasa Indonesia final exam. Bahasa Indonesia exam is the hardest exam I think. And I could achieve 98 which means I only made 1 mistake. And, I could not do it without Mr. Anwar.

5. Catur
Catur is a real musician. He sits all day in his own room filled with 2 sets of drumkits, 2 keyboards, lots of amplifiers, electric guitars and violins. It is amazing how one person can expertise lots of musical instrument. He is great at playing piano, playing drums, guitars, bass, violins, saxophone, flute, everything! He is even a good conductor too. He is just too admirable.


And I have to add another one. These persons don't have profession as teachers. But they're still my teachers. They're still my heroes. And, my number 6 is...

UI English Debating Society
Being a part of SMAK1 EDS makes me learn a lot. I learn how to speak in front of public. I learn how to develop my ideas, how to work with my teammates, how to make notes, how to criticize others and how to convince someone. Without these amazing students, I may be just as dumb as a donkey.


Happy Education Day. Hopefully Indonesia has more admirable teachers like mentioned above. And hopefully Indonesia can educate all of its children.