NOVEMBER 23, 2010: ROSARY SCHOOL - DOCKYARD, TEACHERS' ORIENTATION PROGRAM
With the schools re-opening after the long Divali vacation, the AVEC team once again found itself at the center of animation. Twenty Six teachers of Rosary School, Dockyard , including their Principal, Sr. Priya attended a five hour Teachers' Orientation Program at the Don Bosco Youth Services, Matunga on November 23, 2010. This was indeed an opportune time for the teachers of the secondary school to take time to rejuvenate and commitment themselves whole heartedly to their calling as educators of the young.
The three sessions that followed were animated by Mr. Rochwyn Fernandes and Fr. Glenford Lowe. Through a prayer song that provided an opportunity to attune with the wonders of creation, Mr. Rochwyn then guided the participants to a few moments of self awareness and calming down through a short fantasy meditation. He then briefed the participants about the responsibilities of the AVEC. The teachers were then taken through an exercise of deeper awareness of their past, present and their future. "let your past direct you, not disturb you," and "let your future invite you to make something meaningful and purposeful of your lives," he said.
Fr. Glenford Lowe invited the teachers to take a 'new perspective' starting with themselves. New Perspectives trigger new procedural changes. We can think differently only if we see things differently. Often our old attitudes and assumptions prevent us from living our lives with a deeper spirit. We become victims of routine and stagnate in our age old assumptions. Using a lot of practical and everyday experiences of the class room, he was able to clarify a lot of preconceived notions.
The next session on 'Commitment' crowned it all. Without a 'personal resource' in all that we undertake and without the necessary 'psychological environment' there is very little that one can do to be more passionate. The teachers showed a keen interest in the sessions and found it extremely useful at the start of this new semester.
Beena Wadhwa proposed the vote of thanks on behalf of the school management. In the book of appreciation, she writes, "Very enriching program that brought about a lot of self-realization and awareness. Rich learning experiences and included very many thought provoking activities".
Geraldine Rodrigo expressed her thanks by stating that it was extremely interesting and was an eye opener in relating better with the students in these changing times. At the end of the five hour session, the teachers felt refreshed and pledged themselves to be more passionate and committed in their role as educators in Value clarification. the goal of Value Education is BECOMING. We are all 'being in process' and creating value based environments nurture the young students to become all that they are always meant to be!!!
