PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT | LUMEN
15
Lasallian Conversations
Teachers on the
Front Lines
“ To touch the hearts of your students is the greatest miracle you can perform .”
( Med 139.3 - Feast of St Peter , De La Salle )
By Alan Johnson
When the pandemic struck , one of the greatest areas of concern was its potential to spread amongst the young . When Circuit Breaker was announced there was a great deal of concern about the manner in which students would be impacted emotionally , socially and academically . The key to ensuring the safety and success of our students was left in the hands of our very capable teachers . Fortunately , our Lasallian teachers had been preparing themselves for this very moment .
Before the pandemic reared its ugly head we had the opportunity to conduct our first Lasallian Conversation . The first seminar at the beginning of the year focused on identifying students who would benefit from more attention and support from the school . The process enabled teachers to plan ahead for the year and focus their energies on developing and strengthening relationships with these students . A follow-up session conducted a week later allowed the teachers to collaborate on strategies to engage with their students . What a blessing that we started the year this way ! It would put us in good stead for the arduous year ahead .
Circuit Break came and went . Teachers shared dozens of stories of struggle and triumph . Every teacher became a student , learning new skills , mastering new technologies and inventing new tricks to keep their students engaged , entertained and educated . This required a new mindset and some tenacity . But what drove the teachers forward was a deep concern for the wellbeing of all their students . This is a part of our Lasallian heritage , a part of our Lasallian DNA .
When we eventually returned to school we were blessed with a webinar conducted by Bro . Michael Broughton , FSC who shared with the teachers about the Lasallian Reflection Framework and how to use this to cope with the uncertainties surrounding our new educational landscape . The three step process involving Observation , Reflection and Action was described in detail by Bro . Broughton who provided very practical suggestions on applying this process in the classroom to help students work through some of their feelings . The follow-up session involved teachers sharing with one another their application of the suggested framework .
The final session was integrated with the Staff Workplan Review and Staff Paraliturgy . Bro . Nicholas Seet , FSC , led the staff through a reflection of the year using the Lasallian core values of Faith , Service and Community . He affirmed the staff for living out these values while encouraging them to think about how to go further next year . The Chaplaincy Team organised a parallel activity in which each staff member expressed their gratitude towards fellow colleagues by penning a short note and designing a personalised gift .
This year has reminded us all that teaching is a sacred vocation and that school is a sacred sanctuary for our young people . We , as teachers are entrusted with protecting and guiding our young ones in the worst of times . I am reminded of the words of our school rally , “ onward and upward in life ’ s earnest battle , joyously bearing the brunt of the fight .” Indeed , we must be prepared for more battles ahead and the way to do this is by staying aligned and true to our Lasallian values and ethos , which guide us in all the teaching choices we make . Ora et Labora .
This page ( top left ) Staff Paraliturgy This page ( top right ): Discussing student motivation at the Lasallian Conversations