On February 11, English teachers from vocational high schools (SMK) across Kulon Progo gathered at SMKN 1 Kokap for the Kulon Progo SMK English Teachers’ Cultural Exchange Day, a Community Engagement Project led by ETA Jackson Harris in collaboration with SMKN 1 Kokap English faculty. The event brought together approximately 40 English teachers for a full day of professional learning, English practice, and cross-cultural exchange.

The program featured interactive sessions led jointly by Jackson and SMKN 1 Kokap English teachers, including an overview of the Fulbright ETA program, communicative English activities for the SMK classroom, and practical teaching tools adaptable to vocational contexts. Teachers participated in pair and group activities modeled in English, practicing classroom language, instructions, and low-preparation speaking activities. A cultural exchange and Q&A session allowed participants to learn about American school culture while sharing their own classroom experiences and challenges.

Throughout the event, teachers collaborated across schools, building a district-wide network for sharing resources and teaching strategies. A shared communication group was established to support continued collaboration beyond the workshop. This project supported the Fulbright ETA program’s goals of strengthening English education, promoting professional exchange, and fostering sustainable community partnerships across Kulon Progo.

Jackson Harris is currently teaching at SMKN 1 Kokap, Yogyakarta.