LITTLE FLOWER HIGH SCHOOL - POKRAN: TEACHERS' ORIENTATION
August 26, 2014
Finally after a number of years of knocking on the doors of Little Flower High School, the AVEC team were able to conduct a Value based session on "Management By Values" for 110 teachers. Thanks to the management, Fr. Rudolf Andrades, Fr. Joel Pinto and Sr, Veena Monteiro for choosing to have an orientation program for the teachers. The seminar took place in the parish church, The session began with a few words of welcome by Fr. Joel Pinto. Mr. Rochwyn Fernandes took over the session with a prayer song, 'Dil Ke Mandir Mei'. A fantasy meditation followed that enabled the teachers to slow down and get connected with their inner self. Mr. Fernandes said a few words about Fr. Glenn and made a reference to his kidney donation.
The session by Fr. Glenn was more a heart to heart talk than one of mere information. He focused on the need to make a 'turning point' by managing one's life by values. 'Choose the higher value' was the invitation. The world offers and proposes to us and the young lower values in very attractive packages and it is important that we always make the choice for that which is higher. He challenged the teachers to have 'perspective changes' that are deeper and insightful. He helped the participants to make necessary 'perspective shifts' from prison to palace, from referee to coach, from career to Vocation. The various examples, while having a touch of humor, were very insightful and challenging.
A number of examples were given about people who made 'qualitative changes' and as a result have caused a ripple effect in a 'quantitative change' too. Educational institutes have to move from rewarding mere 'more of the same' to celebrating 'change in change itself'. He then showed two small video clips that challenged the teachers to connect life to education and education to life. Values need to be discussed and taught in the classroom. The teachers were than made to understand the world and attitudes of the young and to enter the world of the young and to respond with the heart of a guru.
The last part of the session focused on making practical and valued based interventions in the class room. The teachers were given opportunities to clarify some of their own personal assumptions and attitudes. "When a student hears the word teacher, does your picture download in front of his mind?", was a question that made them view their relationship with the students differently. At the end of the day, teachers are second parent and school is second home! Only is such a healthy environment, will our students blossom and grow into their full potential. The session ended with a song, 'Go light your world'. Mrs. Violet John, proposed the vote of thanks on behalf of the teachers.
At the end of the session, a few teachers came forward to write their comments in the AVEC log book:
"Resourceful, though provoking. Wonderful to have your session. All the best for your future endeavors" - Krupa Rathod, Clinical Psychologist & School Counsellor
"A wonderful session. An eye opener. It showed us what er are and what we should be. An inspiring session. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts"
"Excellent session, you made us more responsible in our life. may God bless you"
