On August 30, 2024, a seminar was conducted for the teachers of Don Bosco Pvt. ITI, Kokar focusing on the crucial themes of self-acceptance, accepting full responsibility for our lives, self- care and the idea that our lives must be an act of love. The seminar was aimed at empowering educators to lead more fulfilled lives, both personally and professionally, by embracing these key principles. Fr. Shilanand Kerketta, the youth ministry director, animated the sessions with passion.
Objective: The primary objectives of the seminar were to provide teachers with insights and practical strategies to cultivate self-acceptance and inner peace, acknowledge and embrace the responsibility for their own lives, prioritize self-care to enhance well-being and live a life driven by love and compassion.
1. Self- Acceptance: Father Shilanand Kerketta began the seminar with an emphasis on session self- acceptance, emphasizing its importance as the foundation of mental and emotional health. The speaker highlighted that the self-acceptance involves acknowledging our strengths and weaknesses without judgement. Teachers were encouraged to practise self-compassion and let go off unrealistic expectations, which often lead to stress and burnout.
2. Accepting Responsibility: In the second session, Fr. Shilanand discussed the concept of taking full responsibility for our lives. He explained that accepting responsibility is not about blame but about empowerment by taking ownership of our actions, decisions and their outcomes. We gain control over our lives and can make positive changes. Teachers were urged to model this behavior for their students, fostering a sense of accountability in the classroom.
3. Self-care: The third session focused on self-care as a critical aspect of maintaining physical, emotional and mental health. The speaker provided practical self-care strategies such us engaging in regular physical activity and prioritizing rest and relaxation.
4. Living an Act of love: The fourth session revolved around the idea that our lives should be an act of love. Teachers were encouraged to infuse their daily routines with love, whether in interactions with colleagues, students or themselves.
Throughout the seminar, participants were engaged in several interactive activities.
· Group discussion on personal experiences related to self-acceptance and responsibility.
· Mindfulness exercises to enhance awareness and presence in daily life.
The seminar on the first day concluded with a question and answer session, where teachers had the opportunity to seek further clarity and guidance on the topics discussed. Participants expressed their gratitude for the valuable insights and practical advice offered by speakers. Overall, the seminar was a profound experience, leaving the teachers feeling more empowered to embrace self-acceptance, take responsibility for their lives, prioritize self-care and live with love and compassion. The event reinforced the idea that by nurturing themselves, teachers could better nurture their students, leading to a more positive and supportive educational environment.
The animation on the second day was titled “Integral Educational Ministry” was organized with the primary aim of enhancing their educational mission and understanding the various dimension of an effective educational environment. The seminar on understanding the holistic development of teachers considering spiritual, emotional, intellectual and social aspects. Documents presented during the seminar was a questionnaire designed to engage the participants in reflective thinking about their
educational practices. The questions were framed to encourage the teachers to introspect on their teaching methods and the overall impact on the student’ growth.
01. Identification of key Elements: - The first section prompted participants to identify key elements that are crucial in their educational practices. The questions encouraged them to think about different perspectives and aspect that they must consider while guiding the youth.
02. Practical Implementation: - Another part of the questionnaire focused on the practical application of the principles discussed. The participants were asked to reflect on how they can integrate these elements into their daily teaching practices, ensuring that the students not only gain academic knowledge but also develop holistically.
03. Focus on growth: - It emphasizes the importance of identifying areas that need attention for the growth of young people in their school.
04. Evaluation: - Lastly, the teachers were asked to evaluate their existing educational practices in the light of the dimensions discussed. They were encouraged to assess whether their current approaches align with the mission of nurturing well rounded individuals.
During the animation, Fr. Shilanand Kerketta provided a detailed overview of the various aspects that constitute an effective educational environment. These guidelines for the teachers of Don Bosco ensures a balanced approach in their educational mission.
1. Home / Family: - It emphasizes the role of family in the educational process. It highlights the importance of a supportive home environment in shaping the students’ values and character.
2. Temple / Church: - The significance of spiritual education was discussed. The need for regular and progressive faith formation, suggesting that spiritual guidance should be an integral part of the students’ education. The importance of moral and ethical teachings was also stressed with a focus on developing a strong moral compass in the youth.
The seminar provided the teachers with a comprehensive framework for understanding and implementing the dimensions of an effective educational environment. The documents reviewed during the seminar offered valuable insights into the holistic development of students, encouraging the teachers to adopt a balanced approach in their educational practices.
By focusing on the integration of spiritual, intellectual and social growth, the seminar aimed to equip the teachers with the tools necessary to nurture well-rounded and morally upright individuals.
Mr. Sanjay Kumar Soreng, Asst. Instructor