After announcing an unconditional surrender of Japan to Allies, the Emperor Hirohito asked his men, “How many teachers are left?”

The Emperor had far sighted vision that his country could regain international honor and respects with the role of teachers. In teachers’ hand, Japan rebuilt its country.

In short, teacher is a hero without medals. ITM is really cognizant of their role in improving the life quality of the Nation.

And the Company thought it necessary to bestow honor to teachers who had been meritorious to the development of The Fatherland. The tribute could be offered in the form of a series of activity designed to lift up their self esteem and confidence.

The teachers, for example, were invited to participate in “Read Aloud Competition of Coal Story Book.” Yet, firstly, they were equipped with knowledge about the method in a workshop held three months earlier.

Of 88 teachers from 37 elementary schools in Jakarta and its satellite cities taking part in the competition, 21 contestants managed to go through to the final round on 22-23 May at PKBI House Jakarta.

We are the Champions

Prior to the final round, all finalists were present at a career coach class lectured by Ainy Fauziah, an expert in self development who has once become a speaker at the International Shelter Meeting in Geneva, Switzerland in 2007. In this session, she encouraged teachers to tell others about what had made them happy.

“I am not rich, yet I am happy because I can give something to others by being a teacher,” a participant said.

Being sobbed, another participant uttered that at the beginning her decision to become a teacher was opposed by her parents. Yet, she has proven that her choice was right. “I am happy with my own way,” she replied with tears in her eyes.

According to Ainy, being free to be your own is one thing that could make you happy. “Therefore, chase your dream in any circumstances, and share what you have got to others,” she said. “God has made you a noble champion, meaning that your existence is beneficial to people around you,” she added.

Mass Hypnotherapy

At the second day, there was a lecture on Neuro Linguistic Programming (NLP), attended by those 21 finalists as well as 42 non-finalist teachers. NLP is a method to transform certain attitudes, and offer ability to select and adopt specific mental, emotional and physical condition.

By recognizing NLP that deals with the work of brain, the teachers were also trained how to identify barriers and functions of communication in teaching.

“As many as 88% of our attitudes are the result of the work of our sub-consciousness mind,” said Yant Subiyanto, the trainer, who is also a member of National Federation NLP Florida United States of America.

Yant then did the mass hypnotherapy against all teachers. Under theta consciousness, they were hypnotized to eliminate their past emotional injuries and planted a positive suggestion of self confidence in achieving their dreams.

“I fell fresh,” said one participant as he regained his consciousness back after the therapy session.

The Award Ceremony Eve

The last round of Read Aloud happened to be interesting. The finalists competed to demonstrate their story telling ability with their own style. Some teachers used a model of earth layers. Some others asked the judges to sing. The judge team comprises early childhood teachers, library science students as well as elementary school pupils.

However, their hard work was paid off during the awards ceremony eve. The event was alternated by some entertaining dance and band performance by elementary school students.

The other honorable attendance at the event were ITM Director Mahyudin Lubis, Assistant of Vice President of Corporate Communication and Community Development Tri Harjono, the Director of Profession of Educator under General Directorate of Improving Educator Quality and Education Workers Ahmad Dasuki, and Rossie Setiawan from Reading Bugs Community.

“This activity is a kind of our payback with regard to our mining activity,” Mahyudin said, adding that ITM for Education is one of the most important the Company’s corporate social responsibility.

“This Smart Teaching program will go on with other programs meant to upgrade the capacity of teachers,” he added.

Meanwhile, Ahmad Dasuki expressed his gratitude to ITM since “the Company has surpassed the government by implementing such concept of education,” adding that by doing that way, ITM had supported the government program of the Nation’s character building.

The first winner of the Read Aloud Competition was Probowati Nur Amin. The second one was Anis Amini. The third winner was Khusniyati Masykurohn. The first runner up was Rosida Panjaitan. The second runner up was Dede Zaenal Mutaqin. The third runner up was Nurhadi.

Furthermore, there were also winners for category of “The Most Favorite Teacher” (Sumarni), “The Most Talented Teacher” (Surti Suryati), “The Most Creative Teacher” (Dede Zaenal Mutaqin), “The Most Inspiring Teacher (Tarida Saragi),” “The Most Congienality Teacher” (Farida Simanjuntak).

The winners received trophy, cash ranging from Rp0.5 million ton 4 million, cellular phone, and some souvenir.

“Teacher is an extraordinary profession,” said ITM Corporate Communication Manager Melina Karamoy, hopping that they will keep on their good work after that ceremony.