How Calvin is preparing educators to lead schools in Indonesia
In July, Lars Holmgren, Lya Putri, Eka Ritonga, Yemima Wibowo, and Marisca Pakpahan are spending two weeks studying on Calvin's campus in Grand Rapids, Michigan.
This summer, five educators (Afrilya Putri, Yemima Wibowo, Lars Holmgren, Eka Ritonga, and Marisca Pakpahan) from various parts of Indonesia are on the campus of 茄子视频. During their two-week visit to Calvin, they are taking graduate courses and visiting various Christian schools in west Michigan to better understand how faith is shaping education.
In the following Q&A, members of this Master of Education cohort share about their motivation for pursuing a degree, observations they鈥檝e made along the way, and how they plan to use what their learning back in Indonesia.
Why was pursuing a Master of Education important to you at this point in your career?
Yemima: I've been teaching for nine years now, different subject areas, different grade levels, and I realized that I actually love the teaching itself. That's why I'm getting my master's degree in Curriculum and Instruction.
Lars: I haven't studied for many years, but I've been teaching for the last 20 years. I was just keen to develop my understanding of current practices and what works well at different schools. We've been attending different schools here that use different models, and it鈥檚 been really eye-opening to see how administration and the board approaches things in a fresh way, just to give a different perspective on things. I wanted to gain a broader understanding of what it means to be an educator.
Eka: My interest is in instructional design, which was part of my role years ago. Pursuing this master鈥檚 degree is helping me a lot, even in my current role as an associate principal. It鈥檚 given me new perspectives on how to prepare teachers, build community, and design better learning environments. It has been very helpful in thinking about how to create a better school.
Marisca: I realized that being a teacher I can give an impact to a small group of people, teachers who I'm working with, and then students, and then also parents. Giving that impact to a small group of people is good, but I think it's time for me to challenge myself as well to give a bigger impact, which is to give a positive impact to a bigger community, like for the whole group of teachers, and then a bigger community in the government probably, or something like that.
How did Calvin specifically come on your radar, and why did you choose Calvin?
Lya: We were given a list of universities and majors, and I listed and compared them. I realized that Calvin would give me a holistic perspective on schools and leadership, and I felt confident that it would help me in the next stage of my journey. On top of that, I liked Calvin鈥檚 vision and mission.
Yemima: We were offered several choices, but throughout my teaching career, I鈥檝e had many friends who are Calvin alums, and they are awesome people. It also happened that Calvin offered the exact program I wanted.
Lars: We have three Calvin alumni teaching at my school, and they speak very highly of their experience. So, there were a few options available, but Calvin stood out because it was backed up by people I know and respect. It is also well known in the education world and offered a program that fit my needs.
Eka: Before applying, I did a lot of research. Whenever I consider a university, I first look at its vision and mission. Calvin was among my top choices, and after exploring its mission, programs, and courses, I felt it was the best fit for me. So far, I鈥檝e thoroughly enjoyed the courses.
Marisca: What first caught my attention was the on-campus summer component. We have online classes, but then we also get to spend time on campus during the summer. Another factor was a friend who had recently graduated from Calvin. She is an awesome teacher. For a recent grad to have that kind of quality of teaching, personality, and knowledge of the Bible, I think that's good. So, I think that strengthened my motivation to take this program specifically at Calvin.
What have you found most valuable about this experience?
Yemima: Throughout all the classes there is a consistent vision about looking after those who are marginalized. From our classes about inclusion with Professor Sevensma and then curriculum classes, even the research, it's all very focused on social justice. That's not something I hear emphasized very often back home.
Lya: This experience has been eye-opening. In everyday life, we often get stuck focusing on what is directly in front of us. Through these courses, I鈥檝e been taught to look beyond the surface and consider perspectives beyond my own assumptions. That鈥檚 one thing that I really treasure.
Lars: The thread that's worked through all of the courses we鈥檝e done so far has been inclusion, disability awareness, and equity. Those are the things it seems the program is built around. I grew up in a country that was very much to some extent like the States, not based on equity at all. So, South Africa was certainly very divided. And you know one group benefited a lot and another was marginalized a lot. So that focus is important, I think, for me, from my background perspective, but just moving forward, you know in the schools that I am to be in. I would like that to be a focus of my own teaching and leadership, if I get into that position. And so, it鈥檚 been good to have that kind of immersion in these courses and that focus.
Eka: This experience has challenged me to always be thinking about how we are working on our missions and our visions. Are we actively pursuing them or are they simply statements on paper?
Marisca: The community of learning has been one of the most valuable aspects for me. Back in Indonesia, we don't always have a culture that encourages people to speak their opinions, share their ideas, respect others' ideas, make mistakes, or say whatever you are thinking about. So, I think this is the community where I can express so many things and that鈥檚 one thing I appreciate.
What is something you can implement in your school or classroom because of your experience in this program?
Marisca: If I pursue a leadership position, I want to focus on strengthening small communities within a school. I want people to know why we are doing what we are doing, so we can work together toward a shared mission. Building a strong, healthy community ensures that when new teachers or students join, they can help carry that mission forward.
Lars: I work in a fairly large school, and this experience has challenged me to recognize that I haven鈥檛 done enough to build community among teachers. I didn't see it as a really important thing, but throughout this program and during my time here, I鈥檝e been reminded of how important building community among teachers is. One of my aims when I return to Indonesia is to focus on the grade seven teachers and build that community as much as I can.
Lya: The concept of belonging has been life-changing for me. It made me realize that a sense of belonging may be exactly what many of us have been needing all this time. I want to help grow that sense of belonging throughout the school, especially among teachers, so they feel truly connected to the community. I also want students to experience that same sense of belonging with one another.