AVEC Mumbai

ST. TERESA'S HIGH SCHOOL - GIRGAUM: TEACHERS' ORIENTATION PROGRAM

July 10, 2012: At the invitation of the Principal, Fr. Dennis Gonsalves, AVEC organized a day's Value Orientation Seminar for forty seven teachers of the primary and secondary sections. Mrs. Sheetal D'Mello, School Value Education Coordinator welcomed the guests and introduced the speakers to the teachers. The theme for the day was: "Management By Values" which was held in three sessions.

 Mr. Rochwyn Fernandes, AVEC Program Coordinator, began the program with a brief introduction and set the mood going with a beautiful prayer song 'Go Light Your World'. A fantasy meditation followed that also focused on one's rhythmic breathing process. The exercise enabled the teachers to relax and to be focused on the program ahead. The main activities and objectives of the AVEC was presented to the participants to enable them to see the bigger picture.

 Fr. Glenford Lowe, Director of AVEC, then took the floor and wished the teachers to be ready for a 'humpty dumpty experience' - to be ready to see with a new perspective. "Perspective changes brings about procedural changes", Fr. Lowe kept emphasizing. The entire program was divided into moments of personal reflection, clarifying of one's own assumptions, reviewing of one's educative style and pedagogical methods. Group work and a touch of humour and real life's experiences added to the quality of the session. The first part of the orientation session focused on clarifying one's assumptions. 

 Following the break, Fr. Lowe dwelt on two very important aspects in the Value Education orientation program: Aligning one's personal values with the institutional values, and 'Managing By Values' by plotting one's life on the 'Brian Hall-Benjamin Tonna Value Map'. The sessions were an opportunity for the teachers to gauge where they  stand in relation to their Values and their response to life's priorities: Moving from Survival to Stability to Success and finally to Significance. The session was very educative and challenging too.

The vote of thanks was proposed by Mrs. Romona Lewis on behalf of the management and teaching staff. She hoped that many more such opportunities be offered to benefit the educative journey of the school and the students.

The following comments were entered in the AVEC appreciation log book:

"Amazing teaching. Mind blowing experience. Thanks a lot. God bless" -  Jayshree N

 "Much needed seminar. Enjoyable as well as informative. Thanks and hope to see you all again" - Louella Fernandes

 "Very educative and informative. Very apt and applicable in today's times" - Mrs. Sara Rodrigues

 "It was a very interesting and educative session. It made me to understand the present developmental skills of mine and which in turn calls me to go further" - Sr. Annie

 "A much needed orientation to help us once again to be compassionate and passionate about our profession and understand the growing young. Thank you" - Clara

 "Very enriching. looking forward to more. An absolutely awesome experience! God bless"  Romona Lewis

Wish you all the best and God's abundant blessings as you take your students and school on the Valued Path of life and humanity.