Breaking the Boundaries of Expectation: The First Step for PKBM Al Zaytun Tutors in Conquering the Digital World
By: Sri Wahyuni, S.Pd. (PKBM Al Zaytun Tutor)
INDRAMAYU — Change often arrives without a polite knock, forcing us out of the comfort zones we have inhabited for years. This was the experience of the educators at PKBM Al Zaytun as they welcomed the 2026/2027 academic year. Under the direction of the PKBM Al Zaytun Director, Ustadz Ali Aminullah, in-person tutors were asked to prepare for a transformation into online tutors.
The news, announced months earlier by the Tutor Coordinator and Supervisor, Ustadz Hartono, was met with enthusiasm by most tutors. The training room suddenly buzzed with the energy of teachers who had brought their laptops from home. Yet, in a quiet corner, one person remained unmoved: Sri Wahyuni.
To Sri Wahyuni, the world of IT felt like a foreign continent she had no desire to explore. When the registration notice for online tutors circulated, she chose not to respond, leaving her name off the list. “No, Sir; please, let someone else fill that spot,” she whispered firmly at the time. Her reason was simple yet deeply felt: she wanted to focus on completing her master’s degree and felt she lacked technological aptitude.
However, destiny has a unique way of making itself known.
One day, after finishing an in-person class, Sri’s steps led her to the MP office to coordinate on a community association agenda. Inside, she found tutors listening to a presentation by Ustadz Suwandi on how to manage online classes and the art of communicating on screen. Sri, who had intended merely to wait in an empty seat, found herself gradually drawn into the presentation.
Suddenly, Ustadz Hartono’s voice broke her concentration. “Which class are you teaching online?”
“But I didn’t sign up, Ustadz; I didn’t put my name on the list,” Sri replied defensively, citing her graduate studies and her lack of IT skills as reasons. Ustadz Hartono chuckled at her sense of hopelessness. “That second point is a real issue—not knowing IT, heh… But do you actually have classes every day? You can manage it—how about Class B?”
That firm yet warm encouragement left Sri no room to object. Further encouragement came from Ustadz Suwandi, who shared stories of how he, too, had started from scratch. Even her husband, Pak Sukino—himself a fellow tutor—offered a gentle, affectionate nudge: “You’re moving forward with your master’s degree, yet you want to back out of being an online tutor? You’ll need to give presentations for your own studies later, after all.”
Sri’s wall of doubt crumbled instantly. Surrounded by a circle of people who believed in her potential, she stepped forward with confidence. She even enlisted a fellow tutor, Pak Mulyadi, to provide private IT lessons at her home.
The Moment of Truth Before the Screen
The nerve-wracking day finally arrived: Wednesday, August 5, 2026, at 7:00 PM WIB.
From her location in Gantar, Sri prepared to teach an Indonesian language lesson on descriptive texts. Her preparation was serious business—far more intensive than for an in-person class. She dissected the modules, meticulously designed PowerPoint slides, and carefully structured her teaching strategy. To calm her racing heart and anticipate any technical glitches, she made sure to have a tech-savvy Gen-Z youngster by her side.
As soon as the camera turned on and the Zoom session began, the magic happened. The nervousness that had gripped her chest suddenly vanished the moment she spoke her opening words. Sri performed brilliantly—relaxed and brimming with confidence, just like a seasoned online tutor.
The evening class transformed into a lively, interactive stage. The learners’ enthusiasm soared, and questions flowed freely. The warm atmosphere erupted in laughter when Sri offered a spontaneous analogy to explain descriptive texts. “A tin container holding biscuits—if you don’t check the label, it might actually turn out to be filled with *rengginang*!” Sri joked, drawing boisterous laughter from the students.
The daunting image of online classes instantly vanished, replaced by a warm and enjoyable learning experience.
Forging a Bond Across the Distance
The warmth of that evening didn’t fade when the “Leave Meeting” button was clicked. The amusing banter about the “biscuit tin filled with *rengginang*” continued in the class WhatsApp group. That virtual laughter melted away any awkwardness, weaving a sense of closeness as if they had spent years studying together in the same room.
That night, bathed in the soft glow of her desk lamp, Sri Wahyuni smiled at her screen. A deep sense of gratitude welled up within her—not just for overcoming her fear of technology, but for realizing how fortunate she was to be surrounded by friends, her husband, and the PKBM Al Zaytun institution, all of whom tirelessly encouraged her continued growth.
It turned out the digital world wasn’t as harsh as she had imagined. And for an educator, it is never too late to learn.**
Indramayu, August 15, 2026
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