Nineteen English Teaching Assistants (ETAs) and their Co-teachers came together in Jakarta for our annual Mid-Year Enrichment Conference. The MYEC marks the halfway point of the grant and provides ETAs and co-teachers with a space to share about their experience, but also motivate their efforts for the ensuing semester. At this point in the year, ETAs and co-teachers are able to learn from each other and this conference focused on collaboration and sharing specifically. Many of our ETAs stepped up to lead sessions, share activities, and pull together the behind-the-scenes work to make the conference a success.

From January 9th-14th, ETAs and co-teachers participated in a variety of sessions ranging from the State of Indonesia Today to meeting with the Indonesian Government Panel. A favorite session for both ETAs and co-teachers was the daily “Lesson Share Bazaar” where ETAs presented on activities that had proven successful in their own classrooms. ETAs and co-teachers were able to glean effective and engaging practices to return home with and put into practice in their own classroom. You can even find evidence of their successful implementation in the classroom in this issue of the Monthly Highlights!

In addition to the conference, the ETAs put on the 3^rd Annual “Indonesia Through Their Eyes” presentation at the @america venue. Each island’s ETAs came together to put on a skit for their co-teachers, AMINEF, and guests. With an introduction from the Embassy’s Karen Schinnerer, the ETAs took us to a pageant in Java, a dinner party in Sumatra, and wedding celebrations in both Sulawesi and Flores. Each skit was broken up with fun mini-games that encouraged co-teacher participation and silliness! The show demonstrated how the ETAs have grown and learned from their first five months at site and will surely continue to build on that knowledge in the coming months.

The ETAs and co-teachers were also invited to the US Ambassador’s residence for dinner. All of the ETAs broke out their fanciest batik and attended the event in style. After opening remarks from both Ambassador Donovan and AMINEF Executive Director Alan Feinstein, the crowd shared a meal with both American and Indonesian infusion. The event was a unique opportunity to meet and mingle with Embassy staff while sharing the ETA program experience.

ETAs are now back at their sites, engaging with their schools and communities again. Read on to see what they have been up to this month!