Surrounded by oil palm plantations and facing daily infrastructure hurdles, Agus Munir shares how he fosters resilience and social-emotional growth in his junior high students. Agus recently participated in the AFS Effect+ for the Classroom program, a special scholarship-driven initiative for educators. Read the full interview to see why he believes the human relationship must always come before the curriculum.
AFS: Please introduce yourself and share your role as an educator?
Agus: I teach in Indonesia, specifically in South Sumatra, in a rural area of Pali (Penukal Abab Lematang Ilir) Regency. I teach at Junior High School Number 7 Penukal, focusing on English for students in grade 7th – 9th.
I have been an educator for 12 years. My primary motivation has always been a deep passion for youth development. I believe that being a teacher is the best way to directly impact the future of my community by shaping the character and mindset of the next generation.
AFS: What can you share with us about your students and school?
Agus: My students come from diverse backgrounds, primarily from the Lematang or Palembangnese ethnic group. Most of them are from lower socio-economic backgrounds, where their parents work as farmers or laborers. Despite these challenges, they are incredibly resilient and have a strong spirit for learning, even when resources are limited.
Our school is a Public school with approximately 91 students. It is located in a rural area where we often face infrastructure challenges. Our School is situated at the very edge of a village, located right in the geographical heart of South Sumatra province. It is uniquely surrounded by vast rubber and oil palm plantations, which define the landscape of our students’ daily lives. Being in such a remote area means we are often tucked away from modern urban facilities, creating a very specific rural educational context.
AFS: What do you feel is a challenge that you feel many teachers in your area are dealing with?
Agus: Beyond the infrastructure and connectivity issues, a deeply rooted challenge we face is the normalization of bullying. In our area, bullying occurs almost daily and is often mistakenly perceived by students as just “daily jokes” or harmless banter. Breaking this cycle of behavior and helping students understand the weight of their words is one of the toughest, yet most important, parts of our job.
AFS: Can you share with us a success story or moment that made you feel valued as an Educator?
Agus: My proudest moment was seeing the transformation through our KESEMUTAN program. I remember a student who was very withdrawn and struggled to interact with peers. Through the social-emotional activities we implemented, I saw them slowly open up, start leading group discussions, and eventually become a supportive friend to others. Seeing a child gain confidence and “bloom” socially is the greatest reward.
AFS: How have you tried to incorporate Global Citizenship Education (GCED) into your Classroom?
Agus: I incorporate GCED primarily through Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) and creating an Inclusive Learning Environment. Through the KESEMUTAN program (2023-2025), we focus on developing empathy, critical thinking, and open-mindedness. We connect our classroom activities to the UN SDGs, particularly Quality Education (Goal 4) and Reduced Inequalities (Goal 10), by teaching students that their local actions can contribute to global harmony.
The response of my students has been wonderful. Students feel more “seen” and valued in the classroom. They are now more aware of global issues and, more importantly, they are practicing empathy in their daily interactions, making our school a much safer and kinder environment for everyone.
AFS: What is one teaching tool or method you find very effective that you would recommend to other teachers?
Agus: I highly recommend prioritizing Social-Emotional “Check-ins” at the start of each lesson. Simply asking students how they feel and creating a space where they can share their emotions without judgment builds a foundation of trust. In our KESEMUTAN program, this “inclusive vibe” is what makes real learning possible.
AFS: If you could give one piece of advice to a new teacher starting their career next school year, what would you say?
Agus: Focus on building a relationship with your students before you focus on the curriculum. A student who feels loved and safe will be a student who is ready to learn anything. Be patient with yourself and your environment—even in a village with very limited tools, your heart can still make the classroom creative!