Media Release
Mangaluru, May 24: Carmel School, hosted a thought-provoking workshop titled 'Understanding Existential Issues and Pragmatic Solutions' for its teaching faculty on May 23.
The day commenced with a serene prayer service, setting a reflective tone for the event. This was followed by an introduction and warm welcome for the keynote speaker Fr Cyril Anand by Jahnavi. Sr Lilly Pushpa presented him with a bouquet of flowers, symbolizing the school's gratitude and anticipation for the insightful day ahead.
In the first session, Fr Cyril Anand engaged the teachers by asking them to recall and share stories about the educators who had left a lasting impact on their lives. About 20 teachers enthusiastically recounted personal anecdotes, highlighting the profound influence of their mentors. Fr Anand then categorized teachers into four types - autocratic, bureaucratic, democratic and laissez-faire—illustrating the traits and elements of each category. He further delved into the generational characteristics and behaviours of millennials, Gen Z, and baby boomers, using a combination of verbal explanations, video clips and factual data to provide a comprehensive understanding.
The second session focused on civic sense, utilizing live examples and an interactive questionnaire consisting of 30 statements. These statements aimed to explore the teachers' attitudes, assumptionsand beliefs about young people and their roles as educators. Each statement was meticulously analysed and discussed, with participants classifying their responses as true, false, or undecided. This was followed by a lively brainstorming session, fostering deep discussions and reflections on the critical role of teachers in shaping civic responsibility among students.
In the third session, the workshop shifted to the theme of unity. The story 'Abdul Kalam, A Lesson for my Teacher' was shown through a video, emphasizing the significance of friendship, perseverance and education in fostering unity. The session also covered essential steps for setting priorities in life and the learning process, illustrated through engaging videos. Fr. Anand skilfully combined anecdotes, worksheets, and vignettes to convey the art of being a great teacher, inspiring personality growth and attitudinal changes among the attendees. The life stories of famous personalities who overcame early failures, such as Walt Disney, Thomas Edison, Albert Einstein, and Oprah Winfrey, were narrated, adding a motivational touch to the session.
The workshop concluded with participants expressing their joy and appreciation for theinspirational and practical inputs provided by Fr Cyril Anand. Reena delivered a heartfelt vote of thanks, acknowledging the profound impact of the day's sessions on the faculty. Sr Premal, the vice principal, presented a memento to Fr Anand as a token of gratitude for his competent and inspiring contribution to the workshop.
Overall, the workshop at Carmel School was a resounding success, leaving the teaching faculty enriched with new perspectives on existential issues and equipped with pragmatic solutions to implement in their professional and personal lives.