ST. MARY'S HIGH SCHOOL - KALINA: TEACHERS' ORIENTATION PROGRAM
August 7, 2013
Thanks to an early booking, months ahead, by Principal Jasmin Lobo, that ninety nine teachers from the Primary, Secondary and Junior College sections were able to participate in a full day's Value Education Orientation program. The Orientation 'Management By Values' (MBV) specially designed by AVEC was presented to the participants. The school manager, Fr. Harry Vaz, welcomed the guest speakers Fr. Glenford Lowe and Mr. Rochwyn Fernandes and had words of praise for enhancing Value Education among the schools affiliated to the ABE.
The session began with a prayer song, that incorporated visuals from all faiths and rituals. A prayer of invocation to God was made by a teacher too. Mr. Rochwyn Fernandes then presented a short report about the AVEC activities and goals for the last year. He introduced Fr. Glenford Lowe to them. The Program ' Management By Values' was divided into three parts.
During the first session, Fr. Glenn focused on the importance of having a 'Perspective Change'. "Too many of us are caught up in lives of routine that our vision and attitudes to life get bogged down, we live small lives because we perceive little," he said. When we see differently and are ready to make 'Value Shifts' in our lives, only then our lives to begin to transcend. He challenged the teachers to then look at the world of the young today and to understand their attitudes to life. How can you respond to their 'cry for help?' he asked. Perhaps, we can have three responses: Do nothing, or use grandmother's solutions for today, or finally, have the courage to seek solutions by enabling them to make the necessary 'Value Shifts' in their lives too.
He then focused on the power of one's WORD. Our values determine our lifestyle and it is often expressed by the words we use. "Change your words, and change your world," he added. He then identified four lifestyles: Survival, Stability, Success and Significance. "All of us are called to move up the ladder of life and to live a life of Significance, and only a 'shift in values' will enable you to shift to a higher plane of life," he affirmed.
Through the use of a PowerPoint presentation, and a lot of everyday life examples and personal testimonies, coupled with humor and deep insights, Fr. Glenn was able to draw the attention of the teachers for the next three hours. He enabled the teachers to understand the importance of 'Aligning Personal Core Values with Institutional Core Values' and then by analyzing one's personal satisfaction and institutional job satisfaction, he drew their attention once again to the four lifestyles mentioned above.
In the end, Mrs. Gonsalves proposed the Vote of Thanks and acknowledged that this was an Orientation Program with a Difference. A few teachers wrote their comments in the AVEC Appreciation log book:
"From teaching us various skills, to helping us learn geometry with a will, hoping we will move up in life, through the goals, values you taught will help us overcome all our strife. So in words so few, I want to say, THANK YOU' and a big God Bless" - Regina Pereira
"Thank you for being an example yourself. God bless and take care" - Ashwini Dalvi
"Very Motivating" - Boney
"Thank you so much for this wonderful WORD you have given us today. It was really a special blessing. Thank you very much and come back soon" - Ms. Lucia Khandagale