Elly, Advent, Gabriel, Joy, Arka, Raynand play light and livelies after reading the Power of Goodness story “a house built with love” Photo taken by Nanik
I am Elly. My full name is Mellia Irawati. I am a teacher of Joglo Early Childhood Education in Pati, Central Java, Indonesia. This is my reflection writing after one year of teaching at Joglo Preschool. Applying as a teacher at Joglo in 2023 was my big decision.
As a graduate from Islamic Education Guidance and Counseling Department, I have a great interest in various learning methods and approaches in education, especially about child development. When I came to Joglo, I was amazed at the environment where special needs children learn freely and independently, alongside other children with their respective developments. I feel connected to all of this because I had learned a lot about child learning methods at university previously.
I saw 30 children, including 12 with special needs, and 4 teachers. I couldn’t imagine that! How could 4 teachers teach 30 children who have different developments? That feeling flew away when I started to find a different perspective on how Joglo teachers accompany the children, especially children with special needs. I was trying to experiment with my knowledge about child development in Joglo and I also learned a lot from the children and Senior Teachers in Joglo about non violence approaches.
I realized that being a teacher is not about how long you have served in the educational environment, not how high your position is, or how the government treats you in the education systems, but being a teacher is about being able to see the potential of students and accompany them based on their diverse states of development and know ways to support them in becoming confident and independent.
The process of becoming a teacher also supports me in communicating with colleagues to be good companions and support each other, and that’s what I often do with my friends at Joglo Preschool.
Elly and the Joglo Preschool children read aloud session
Another valuable experience was when I learned about the Alternatives to Violence Project (AVP), practicing non-violence through simple and easy-to-understand steps. In June 2024, Joglo Preschool teachers and I participated in the 2024 Regional Justice and Peace Training. I felt my confidence grow when I was doing activities with new friends from different countries, languages, and religions. I enjoyed getting to know their cultures and understanding the issues of justice and peace in each of their regions.
When I was little, I was judged about my English skills, and that made me afraid to greet foreign friends. However, the fear and assumption that they did not understand my speech disappeared. It turned out that all the friends who came were very friendly and they understood my English. At Peace Place and Joglo Preschool, everyone respects all languages and foreign language skills of each person. Naturally, we realize that different and diverse language levels are normal. Some friends gave me support, “come on, you can do it, you are a confident person”.
I have participated in several Power of Goodness activities with teenagers and students. This experience made me even more confident in speaking in front of many people. This also encouraged me to dare to do Power of Goodness activities with Joglo Preschool students. I always learn to see what other friends do and I use my own way to do it.
I am always inspired by the way Nanik and Ninok often use the AVP Approaches when they are with the Joglo students. They show a relaxed way in accompanying them. In AVP training, we experience “Discharging Emotions”. I learned to help myself to let go of my distress before accompanying the Joglo children. I feel more ready and open to be with the children when we are done with ourselves. In the new school year of 2025, we are using the Eight-week Curriculum which is a sustainable peace culture curriculum which is AVP material adapted for early childhood.
I am very grateful to be able to explore Culture of Justice and Peace and Alternative to-Violence Project material. I am aware of how transforming power not only guides the children to transform, but also myself. When friends asked “ What is the transforming power I experienced? What good things have I done today? it made me reflect for a moment and then “Yes! I affirm that I did good things right now.” Thank you to everyone who has supported me and Joglo Preschool.