ST. XAVIER'S HIGH SCHOOL, VILE PARLE: TEACHERS' VALUE ORIENTATION
SEPTEMBER 7, 2012: AVEC organized a one day Value Orientation program for seventy two teachers of St. Xavier's High School, Vile Parle. The Principal of the school, Mrs. Veera Fernandes welcomed Fr. Glenford Lowe and Mr. Rochwyn Fernandes to the school. The program had been rescheduled on many occasions but today there was nothing to stop us. Inspite of the death of Fr. Ronnie Menezes, the program still went ahead. Fr. Theo, Manager of the school, was also present to welcome us.
The session began with a prayer song 'Sarvesham Swastir Bhavatu' followed by a fantasy meditative exercise to enable the teachers to relax and calm down. Mr. Rochwyn also took the occasion to explain to the teachers the main objectives of AVEC and the various ways in which AVEC could enable the school to promote the 'Diamond Values: Education to Becoming" program. He then introduced Fr. Glenford Lowe, Director of AVEC to the participants.
Fr. Glenford started off with his challenge to 'Make a Difference' and talked about the importance of 'Living One's Life Guided by a Value Compass'. "What you see is what you get! What you speak is what you inspire in others", he affirmed. Taking the teachers through a battery of 'Teacher's Assumptions and Attitudes', he clarified a lot of misconceptions and enlarged new visions and horizons to strive for as educators of the young.
After the break, two main points were discussed: The need to align one's Personal Values with that of the Institutional Values and to know one's place on the 'Tonna-Hall Value Map' and to start living by a new value system. Through the use of a number of personal examples, deep insights and moments for sharing and personal soul searching, and the use of a PowerPoint presentation, the participants were able to look at their call to be educators of the young and to make a new response to it based on Values.
The vote of thanks was proposed by Ms. Christine DCruz. A floral tribute was also handed over to Fr. Glenn. After the session, many teachers came forward to personally thank Fr. Glenn for this inspiring session.
A few words of appreciation were also written in the AVEC log book:
"Very often we want our students to do what we want and fail to let them 'Be the Best of whatever they are". Thank you Fr. Glenn for making us realize again that we can be MAD - Make A Difference!" Rochelle Rodrigues
