EduAsiaNews, Surabaya— The childhood memories of Desi Ayu Sulistyo were not only filled with play, but also with warm scenes of dedication. Every day, she watched her parents, Sukardi and Retni Ayu Setyowati, patiently preparing teaching materials, checking piles of students’ books, and sharing stories about the dynamics of the classroom.
From those simple routines, the aspiration to become an elementary school teacher gradually grew and took deep root. Today, the graduate of the Bachelor’s Program in Elementary School Teacher Education (PGSD) has proven that an interest nurtured with consistency can lead to remarkable achievements.
She was officially named the best graduate of the Faculty of Education at Universitas Negeri Surabaya (Unesa) with a perfect Grade Point Average (GPA) of 4.00.
“It feels wonderful to see how close my parents are with their students. That inspired me to experience the same thing,” she said.
Her decision to enroll in the PGSD program at Unesa was closely connected to her parents’ educational background. Her mother is an alumna of the same university. Studying at the institution where her mother once pursued her education felt like continuing a legacy in the field of education.
During her studies, the dance enthusiast did not only focus on theoretical learning in the classroom. She strengthened her pedagogical competencies through the MBKM Teaching Assistance program in rural schools and the Surabaya Mengajar Program (PSM) in the heart of the city.
These contrasting experiences between rural and urban schools broadened her perspective on the diversity of students’ characteristics.
“The biggest challenge for me was managing a lively classroom. The solution lies in preparing engaging learning media and continuously reflecting with supervising teachers,” she explained.
Amid the demands of preparing teaching materials, Desi still made time to pursue her passion for dance through the Citaprasada Dance Student Activity Unit at Unesa. For her, dancing serves as a balance amid strict time management.
This discipline has led her to achieve numerous accomplishments, including First Place in a National Poetry Writing Competition and receiving funding from the Unesa Student Entrepreneurship Program (PMW) 2024.
Her academic excellence is also reflected in the publication of three scientific articles in accredited journals and the ownership of five Intellectual Property Rights (IPR). In her undergraduate thesis, she examined the importance of collaboration between teachers and parents at SDN Kapasan III/145 Surabaya in shaping students’ social character—an increasingly crucial issue in modern elementary education.
For Desi, being named the best graduate is only the beginning of a greater journey of service. She is committed to immediately pursuing her career as an elementary school teacher, a profession she believes to be her true calling.
However, her journey will not stop there. She hopes to continue her education through the Teacher Professional Education Program (PPG) or pursue a Master’s degree (S2).
“Teaching is about giving from the heart. I want to continue growing into a professional teacher who not only teaches, but also inspires—just as my parents have inspired me,” she concluded with hope.
