St. Teresa's School, Bandra : AVEC Teacher Orientation Program

August 23, 2010 : Teachers' Orientation Program

Forty Teachers from the Secondary section of St. Teresa's, Bandra, participated today in a half-day Teachers' Orientation Program that was organized by the AVEC team. Gathered together in the school Audio Visual Hall, Fr. John Mascharenhas, Principal welcomed the two speakers on behalf of the management and the school.

The first part of the morning's session was conducted by Mr. Rochwyn Fernandes. The session began with a very beautiful prayer song in keeping with the theme for this year 'Care for Creation'. Coming straight from the class rooms after the unit tests, the teachers were taken through a ten minute 'calming down' session that involved a breathing exercise. The main highlights of the AVEC activities for this year were then presented by Mr. Rochwyn. Through a small 'paper' exercise the teachers were invited to take hold of their future and to learn from their past experiences.

Just before the break, Fr. Glenn invited the teachers to 'gift back importance' to themselves. "In placing a 'due importance on self' is the starting point of Valuing our lives better", said Fr. Glenn. Looking at the various attitudes and assumptions of the teachers, one could gauge a better perspective of how one responds to their calling as Educators.

After a hot cup of Tea and a sumptuous plate of snacks, Fr. Glenn and Mr. Rochwyn played a small exercise to bring home the important message that it is important to 'enlarge one's paradigm' to give every one their rightful place within the school community. Fr. Glenn then enlightened the teachers to have a change in perspective... "What you see is what you get", he kept reminding them. He kept challenging them to live their profession with a lot more of 'rhythm' rather than by 'routine'.

At the end of a three hour session, Mrs. Jean D'Cunha proposed a vote of thanks on behalf of the school management and Teaching staff. "A very good presentation, thanks for everything", wrote Nora in the AVEC log book. Caroline Rebello, a teacher penned it all in one sentence, "thank you for this enlightening experience".