BIS # 3995 TEACHERS’ PROGRAMME HELD AT DON BOSCO LONAVLA

by Cl. Clarence Martis

LONAVLA-PUNE, JUNE 16, 2014: A two-day teachers' orientation was held at Don Bosco Lonavla on June 13 and 14, 2014. It was conducted by Fr. Solomon Rapol and Fr. George Carlos and attended by twenty-four educators.

The first day began with a prayer service animated by Fr. Solomon Rapol, imploring the blessings of God on the teachers and the students for the coming year. He then led the teachers to look into their past on how they were treated by their parents and how they looked at the students under their care. He conducted an awareness meditation and encouraged the teachers to get in touch with their subconscious. The teachers were then made to draw something that they felt during the meditation with their non-dominant hand. Fr. Rapol encouraged the teachers to share their drawings. He conducted many other smaller sessions such as Creative Thinking, Team Building, Don't React but Respond and Don Bosco's System of Education. All these sessions helped the teachers know their role and importance in the life of the students. The last session was 'Journey in Formation and Christian Values'. The teachers, through this session, were made aware of their standing through the four stages of Survival, Belonging, Self-Initiation, and A New World Order. The day concluded with the teachers lighting the candle and taking the Teachers' Oath.

The second day of the orientation was conducted by the Principal, Fr. George Carlos. He began the session with the hymn 'Love changes everything'. He conducted a session on 'Pedagogy and Teachers' Personality'. He spoke on the desirable qualities that a teacher must possess and the undesirable qualities that a teacher must get rid of. Fr. Carlos also spoke of the need not to be emotionally disturbed but to be well-balanced. The orientation ended with a thanksgiving song. He then discussed some of the finer points of the academic year with the teachers and handed them a copy of their time-table for the academic year. The teachers orientation was enriching and the teachers and staff are looking forward to a great year ahead.