Looking ahead through 2019-2020’
The Bethany Educational Society under the guidance of Sr Mariette the Secretary of the Bethany Educational Society and the Correspondent of St Theresa's School organised4 daysAnnual Orientation Programme for the teachers of St Theresa School Bendur, Mangalore in the School Main Hall.
On Dr Alwyn D’sa Associate Professor of English and Director of Admin Block of St Aloysius College Mangalore and Stephen Quadros the Associate Professor at Government First Grade College for Women Puttur were the resource persons for the day. Shilly Prakash introduced the Resource persons and Sr.Philomene the Principal welcomed them with a sapling. The session began with prayer and made us aware of how each individual is important. The sessions highlighted that communication is a very important and effective tool in the teaching and learning process. To create a cohesive society, to realise that every thought word and action of ours is important and to be an effective communicator inside the classroom The session ended with a note stop focussing on how stressed you are but to remember how blessed we are. The activities were interesting reflective and theoretical which has helped them to make the rest of their life the best of their life, to deal with resistance and build a creative open environment.
Sr Shilpa Mary BS, Pioneer Principal of St Theresa’s School and presently head of the Bethany Convent School Naini, Allahabad, U.P Prayagrajwas the resource person.
Sr Shilpa enlightened the gathering on the topic “Capacity building programme on class-room management”. She shared her knowledge on the importance of social values, the proper etiquette to welcome children on the first day of school and how to manage the class-room. She also spoke about creating an environment that supports and facilitates academic, social and emotional learning that could be achieved through effective class-room management skills, creativity and motivation.
She articulated the difference between class-room management and discipline and said that management is effective in keeping discipline but discipline is not management.
The resource person also conveyed to the audience the importance of understanding the concept multiple intelligences namely VARK (Visual, Auditory, Read and Write, Kinesthetics) and how teachers should be aware and quick to figure out the type of intelligence the child responds to.
In the second session, Sr Shilpa focussed on the topic “Physical Arrangement in the classroom”. She urged the teachers to have set classroom rules involving students.
To make the theme of the session compelling the seating arrangement was like a classroom and the teachers were involved in group-activities. Handouts were given to enable them to fully take in the experience of a potent and operative classroom arrangement.
The classroom Management Orientation started with prayer led by Sr Shilpa. The topic for the day’s session was “Non-Violent Communication” (NVC)
She started the session by explaining that the needs are universal and violence begins when one’s needs are not met.
To enhance non- violent communication observation, feelings, needs and requests are the four essential steps. The teacher should know the strength and capacity of her students, their interests and group them accordingly for an effective teaching learning process.
The workshop on ‘Freedom from within: Building self esteem’ was conducted by Sr Agnesia in the afternoon. The session began with the explanation of self esteem in a very detailed way. The importance of self esteem in our lives and the reasons which influences a person’s self esteem were explained in a meaningful way. The resource person showed the difference between low self esteem, high self esteem and inflated self esteem by giving many personal experiences in a humorous way. Everyone was made to understand that true freedom comes from within only when we allow it. The speaker explained very beautifully that freedom from within should be possessed by all and that the most free person in the world is the one who has nothing to hide.
The Orientation was On Child protection policy and its implications in the classroom by Preetham Rodrigues Director of Inchara Foundation, member of CWC and Founder of Project Angel.
The session began with listing out expectations from the teachers for the session. Role plays were conducted showing teacher- student and teachers – parent relationships. Group discussion on developmental milestones for three age groups namely 3-6 years, 6-12 years and 12-18 years were held. The interventions on various behaviours of these children were discussed and problems arising due to missing interventions were discussed.
We were made aware of the different kinds of abuses such as physical, emotional and sexual.
The final Session was conducted by Sr Mariette BS, Secretary BES & Correspondent of St. Theresa's school on the topic ‘Looking ahead through 2019-2020’ Sr. Mariette welcomed the teachers for the new academic year. She lauded the achievements of the teachers for their work in achieving 100% results and proudly honoured them with a rose.
Sr Mariette thanked the outgoing Vice Principal SrShanthi and Sr. Saritha for their selfless services to the school. She wished them well as they take on new responsibilities in the coming year. She welcomed heartily the newly appointed Vice Principal SrLourdes and the new members of the staff.
