Magdalena Duka is a third-grade teacher at SDK Waimamongu in Central Sumba. Commonly known as Mama Mada, she has one strong resolve as an educator: she simply wants to teach well. It sounds simple, but it is this determination that continually drives her to learn new things about teaching. On her own, she has studied various activities in the balanced reading program. She is eager to learn how to teach phonics, manage a literate classroom environment, facilitate interactive reading, and guide students in reading.

Mama Mada explained that when the YLAI and FASDA field officers visited the school to monitor third-grade classes, she had not yet been able to implement balanced reading activities. During the training, only two teachers attended because there was no third-grade teacher yet. Mama Mada, who was supposed to teach upper grades, was then assigned the additional task of teaching third grade. Teacher shortages are common in Sumba and other areas of East Nusa Tenggara.

Mama Mada was asked to assist but was a bit reluctant because, in addition to being a teacher for older grades, she had not yet received any training. In short, she was encouraged to assist the third-grade students. Through the second-grade homeroom teacher, who had already received prior training, she requested a demonstration of a reading activity. She discussed the steps of the activity with the second-grade teacher. During the second-grade class, she also participated by observing the lesson from behind the students.

After participating in discussions and observing the class, she was motivated to start implementing the approach herself. Now, the third-graders are also benefiting from a balanced approach to reading activities. Mama Mada remains committed to becoming a better teacher. After the children go home from school, she makes time to study and study some more.

The friendly teacher said she wanted to continue her education so she could develop better and more engaging teaching methods. She realized that some third-graders still needed intensive guidance to read fluently and understand what they were reading.

For her, phonics activities, interactive reading, and guided reading are a lot of fun. If her fellow teachers can develop skills in literacy instruction, she is also happy to have the same abilities. Through a consistent learning process, he has now become one of the most trusted teachers, successfully guiding third-grade students at Waimamongu Elementary School to better understand basic literacy—from recognizing letters, syllables, and words, to understanding sentences and reading with comprehension.