Department of Curriculum and Instruction

Timor Island, Indonesia. Prior to my doctoral studies, I served as a lecturer at Widya Mandira Catholic University in Kupang, East Nusa Tenggara, focusing on innovative teaching methods and was involved in the BIPA (Indonesian Language for Foreign Speakers) Program. My research interests include curriculum development, cultural studies in education, language, and children’s learning experiences, particularly in Indonesia, aiming to bridge academic research with practical applications that can benefit learners in diverse cultural contexts.

My research interests focus on curriculum development and cultural studies in education, particularly integrating traditional games and local stories into learning to promote cultural continuity and children’s development, stemming from my twelve years of teaching experience using Multiple Intelligence approaches and culturally based learning media. I am passionate about developing culturally responsive and inclusive curricula that consider the social, cultural, and political dimensions of education, with a particular emphasis on how traditional games and local stories can serve as effective tools for achieving learning objectives while preserving cultural heritage. My interest in early childhood education explores how children’s learning experiences are shaped by parental beliefs and cultural models, and how these influence their social interactions with peers and teachers, especially in the context of Eastern Indonesia.

I chose Purdue’s Curriculum and Instruction program because of its strong emphasis on interdisciplinary approaches to learning, teaching, and development, with a focus on cultural, political, and economic dimensions in education that align perfectly with my research interests in cultural preservation through education. The program’s commitment to social justice, multiculturalism, and international perspectives strongly resonates with my goal of integrating traditional games and local stories into education to promote cultural continuity and youth development in Eastern Indonesia, particularly in East Nusa Tenggara (NTT).

I have research experience in education and language development, with studies ranging from using Photo Story to enhance English speaking skills through South Amarasi folklore exploration to implementing Superbook Media for language and motor skills development for young learners. My research interests span across multiple areas including classroom behavior, innovative teaching approaches using Multiple Intelligence in writing and storytelling, educational technology during COVID-19, and public space communication through graffiti and pronunciation studies. Currently, I am engaged in three significant projects: a water source revitalization program, an infrastructure development initiative, and research on multicultural education’s impact on character formation in Christian theological schools in South Central Timor.

In five years, I hope to make significant contributions to the development and implementation of the Kurikulum Merdeka based on local wisdom for primary education in Indonesia. After completing my doctoral program at Purdue, I plan to apply my acquired knowledge and skills to develop curricula that honor local wisdom while meeting modern educational standards. I also aspire to collaborate with educators and researchers, both nationally and internationally, to create positive changes in Indonesia’s educational system, particularly in integrating local cultural values into educational practices.

Based on my background in teaching and research experience in multiple intelligence approaches and cultural studies, I advise new graduate student researchers to actively engage in cross-cultural educational research opportunities and build collaborative networks that bridge theoretical knowledge with practical applications, particularly in areas of curriculum development and cultural preservation in education. I also encourage utilizing the program’s emphasis on social justice, multiculturalism, and global issues to develop research that can make meaningful contributions to educational practices, especially in integrating local wisdom and cultural values into modern educational frameworks.