Hi, my name is Alexander Jaya and I am a former student at Yohanes Private. Actually, I am a bit surprised when Ko Yoh (that’s how I usually call him) asked me to write an article, not just an ordinary testimonial just like the others did. Until the moment I begin to start typing, I still wonder what should I write. Well, let me start with my background.

I was graduated from SMAK 3 Penabur Jakarta and continued my study as an Engineer at Atma Jaya Catholic University. Currently, I work for The Nielsen Company (one of the best Market Research Company in the world, they say) since April, 2014. During my high school time, I take courses at Yohanes Private and after my graduation, I was asked to help him as teaching assistant. That’s how I know him so well until now.

As you can see, there is nothing special with my journey to be shared of. I am just an ordinary student who try to survive in this world, without any good marks, great records or any outstanding performances during my study. But, there is something that change my whole life and the one who contributed the most is Ko Yoh.

I have to say that I failed once when I was in the high shool. It happened when I was on the second grade of science class. The main reason why I failed at that time was because I played to much game (DOTA at that time was very populer, even until now I guess) and didn’t pay enough attention during the class. I underestimated everything at that time and thought that I was the smartest person in the world which turned out to be wrong. I was told one night before, that I was failed to continue to the next grade and they gave me around 3 days to think what I would like to do next (whether I want to continue or not). It was a very hard time for me, especially my parents because we never faced that kind of situation before.

I didn’t blame the game, I didn’t blame my friends who played with me, I blamed myself to have disappointed my parents. During that hard time, Ko Yoh accompanied me everyday and be there for me when I need his help. My mother was very disappointed to the point where she told me to decide by myself what I would like to do next, whether to move to another school, move to another country or to stay and try again. I remember one thing he said to me, “if you move to another school, it means that you admit that you are not good enough like everybody else who make it.” That’s what motivated me the most to stay and try again, to prove my parents that I can do it, to tell them that I am not a quiter.

Many of you might think that, “how can a person who has failed, become a teaching assistant?”, “is he capable enough?”, “I don’t want to trust my kids to someone who failed!” . That’s what came across my mind when Ko Yoh asked me to be his teaching assistant. But then, he had a full trust on me and I become his teaching assistant for around 3 years.

So, here I am, writing this article, sharing this short story of mine for the best teacher in the world while holding a bachelor degree. I never imagine that I can survive “the school thing” because I really don’t like it. Maybe for some people, it is just an ordinary story, but for me, that was a very brave decision made by a sixteen years old boy who would like to say “It is not about the result, it is about the process. There are only two things, success and learn. Failure is just a process to tell you what you shouldn’t do for your success.”

You can say you gain nothing from the school except, that experince and mind set which will determine what would you become in the future. Do what you like, do what you believe and let God do the rest.

I dedicate this article to Yohanes Nata who had brought me up to this stage and hopefully, I can share more of my journey next IF I am able to pursue my master degree.