SHS IGNATIAN TEACHER. Prof Decoy Pimentel challenges the teachers on how to become an Ignatian mentor to the young people. Photo by JV Gomez.
With the aim to further understand the vision of “becoming a leading ASEAN university forming leaders of character by 2033,” faculty members of Xavier Ateneo Senior High School went through a training on how to efficiently moderate a class in the context of “excellent teacher education and practices.”
The participating SHS faculty members will serve as the class moderators or advisers for the different sections of Grade 11 and 12 in the forthcoming school year.
Majority of the participants were hired in 2016 and relatively new to this Jesuit-run institution, with a minimum teaching experience of about 3 years. Some of them were alumni of Xavier University.
A number of seasoned teachers joined the said training that was aimed at “educating the heads, hearts, and hands of the men and women” who are instrumental in realizing the vision and mission of the university.
The event also served as a refresher course on the Ignatian values of magis (a philosophy of excellence), cura personalis (care for the whole person), and finding-God-in-all-things. The training was held on May 17 and 18 at the XU Little Theater and organized by the SHS Formation Cluster.
RESPONSIBLE DIGITAL NETIZEN. Alex Cipriano of the SHS ICT Unit discusses email and social media etiquettes. Photo by JV Gomez.
‘Jesuitness’
Resource speaker Derrick Bart Pimentel from the Philosophy Department shared his experiences as a novice in Ateneo de Zamboanga and his insights on the Ignatian values.
“Senior High School as a Jesuit institution must continue to incorporate the ‘Jesuitness’ of the curriculum with Ignatian flavor,” Pimentel said, referring to the Jesuit identity of the school.
“As a Jesuit university, Xavier participates in the Jesuit mission of reconciliation with God, with others, and with creation; it seeks to serve the faith, promote justice, dialogue with cultures and religions, and protect the environment; it upholds the Ignatian values of magis, cura personalis, and finding-God-in-all-things,” the mission reads.
Retired College of Agriculture faculty member Estrella Borja, in her talk, focused on her early experiences as the organization moderator of the Aggies Student Council.
“Think not just outside the box, think there is no box,” she said, adding to her discussion some Bridging Leadership lessons and the concept of appreciative inquiry. Borja hopes that she was able to inspire the faculty members to become class moderators of character and teacher-leaders.
TEACHER-LEADER. Trel Borja of the College of Agriculture inspires the teachers to become appreciative inquirers and bridger-leaders. Photo by Paolo Galupo.
Collaborative effort
Other speakers included Alexandro Gabriel Cipriano of SHS-ICT Unit on how to use social media responsibly, prefect Eric Jose Rudinas on the student handbook 2018 updates, Joy Tanner and JV Gomez of the Guidance and Counselling on addressing student’s grievances and “red flag” disciplinary actions.
SHS principal Dr Rogelio Gawahan also attended the event and said that class moderators serve as second parents of the students and they are expected to ensure their wellbeing under their care and guidance.
“Thank you, dear teachers for being the second fathers and mothers to these young people,” he said.
Gawahan added that being a class moderator for the entire school year is a collaborative effort between the school and the stakeholders.∎
TRAINING. Senior High Grade 12 guidance counselling coordinator JV Gomez presents the Homeroom Module for the incoming school year. Photo by Paolo Galupo.
CLASS MODERATORS OF CHARACTER. SHS teachers respond to the call to become class moderators for SY 2018-2019. Photo by Paolo Galupo.