Lecturers from Universitas Negeri Yogyakarta (UNY), Prof. Dr. Antuni Wiyarsi, M.Sc., and Prof. Dr. Siti Irene Astuti Dwiningrum, M.Si., organized a focus group discussion (FGD) and research activity with high school chemistry teachers in Yogyakarta. The event aimed to assess teachers’ resilience in their professional roles. As part of a broader international study, the UNY team also plans to visit Finland, particularly Helsinki, to explore different educational approaches that support teachers' personal and social competence.
Prof. Antuni explained that the goal is not to compare but to understand alternative strategies teachers use in other countries. “We’ll interview teachers in Helsinki to see how they deal with professional challenges—not to judge, but to learn,” she said. The team also hopes this research will lead to new training models that go beyond pedagogical skills by strengthening teachers’ character and social resilience.
Prof. Siti Irene emphasized the importance of personal branding in education, especially in the digital era. She noted that not all teachers develop equally—some are highly motivated and innovative, while others remain stagnant. “Personal branding helps define a teacher’s unique strengths and fosters recognition of their professional value,” she said during her session on academic resilience and transformation.
Teachers participating in the FGD were assigned group discussions and reflective tasks. One such task, called the “river of life,” asked teachers to share significant joyful or painful life moments, helping assess their level of resilience. These activities offered insight into teachers’ emotional strength and created a space for mutual support and growth.
