By: Dr. Hardika Prayudi Styawan, M.Pd., M.M.
Founder of Himpunan Pendidik dan Pengajar Muda Indonesia (HIPPMI)
Surabaya – aswinnews.com –
Being an educator in today’s era is not just about teaching in front of a class or delivering material according to the syllabus. We live in a time when teachers and lecturers are expected to be inspirers, value guides, and beacons for students with diverse backgrounds and expectations. Therefore, it’s no surprise that personal excellence is becoming increasingly important for every educator to possess.
What is personal excellence? Simply put, it’s superior personal quality, not just professionally, but also in character. An educator with personal excellence knows who they are, understands the values they hold, and is able to maintain integrity in the face of various challenges. They don’t just teach knowledge, but also become living examples of how to behave wisely, patiently, and continuously learn.
Stephen Covey (2004), author of the legendary book “The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People,” says that personal excellence starts from within oneself, namely from the courage to be proactive, have a clear life purpose, and be able to prioritize wisely. If educators live by these principles, they will not only be successful in their profession, but also become strong and inspiring individuals.
On the other hand, an outstanding educator is also characterized by their ability to manage emotions. Daniel Goleman (2006) mentions in the concept of social intelligence that empathy, patience, and the ability to build healthy relationships are key to creating a safe and enjoyable learning environment. Imagine a teacher who can understand their students’ moods, who knows when to strengthen and when to give space. Surely students will feel more comfortable and enthusiastic about learning.
This fact is also reinforced by research by Day & Gu (2010) which shows that teachers with high dedication and strong personal resilience tend to have a significant positive impact on their students’ development, even in the long term. Teachers like this are able to withstand pressure, continue to give their best, and become figures that are remembered by students for years to come.
What’s interesting is that personal excellence is not something that is innate, but can be formed. Carol Dweck (2006) through the concept of growth mindset explains that anyone can develop as long as they have an open mindset, namely the belief that abilities can be improved through effort, reflection, and experience. Educators with this mindset will continue to learn, be open to criticism, and not be easily satisfied with current achievements.
Personal excellence is not about perfection, but about a commitment to continuously grow and become better. An outstanding educator not only educates, but also ignites hope. So let’s continue to step forward, learn, and support each other, because great education starts from individuals who dare to be outstanding.
However, the journey to becoming an outstanding educator is not always smooth. It requires a supportive environment, a community that strengthens each other, and a space to share experiences and knowledge. That’s why Himpunan Pendidik dan Pengajar Muda Indonesia (HIPPMI) is present as a growing space for young educators as a place to learn, discuss, and design real changes in education.
Let’s be part of the young educator movement that is ready to inspire, collaborate, and create impactful changes for Indonesia’s future.
