LEVELUP: FIS PROVINCE EMBARKING ON A JOURNEY TOWARDS INNOVATIVE SALESIAN EDUCATION

—MarieArrianneA.Diolingo

March 15, 2023 is an ordinary day to many, but to Salesian Educators in the Philippine South Province (FIS), it is a remarkable one. After ten long years of hiatus, Don Bosco Retreat HouseLawaan was packed with Salesian Educators from different schools in the province, all beaming with joy and excitement for the two-day Congress on March15-16,2023.

Laying Down the Groundwork

Committed to furthering St. John Bosco’s mission amidst the constantly changing education landscape, LevelUp: Salesian Educators’ Congress 2023 came to life focusing on the theme: “Cultivating a Culture of Innovation in Salesian Schools. With a clear vision and a practical need, the province wanted to initiate inclusive and meaningful exchanges among Salesian Educators on school innovation and to surface innovation items for schools at the provincial level.

A community of 230 Salesian educators and school leaders participated in the Congress. They are as follows: Don Bosco Technical College-Cebu, Saint Louis School of Don Bosco-Dumaguete, Don Bosco Technical Institute-Victorias, Don Bosco Formation Center-Lawaan, Don Bosco Mati-SHS, Don Bosco Dumangas-SHS, and Lourdes Kindergarten School. Moreover, school leaders from the Philippines North Province (FIN) joined the gathering.

The congress allowed the Salesian Educators to come together, share best practices, and learn from one another.

Setting-out to LevelUp

The Shrine of St. John Bosco the Dreamer became a solid witness to the eager prayers of the Salesian Educators as the Congress started with a celebration of the Holy Mass celebrated by Fr. Adriano A Satura SDB, FIS Provincial Economer and concelebrated by Salesians from the FIS & FIN In his homily, Fr Satura enjoined the entire educative pastoral community to embark on an unfamiliar journey to raise the bar of Salesian Education in the province

Moving forward, the morning session opened with a powerful message on the importance of cultivating a culture of innovation in schools delivered by Fr Fidel Ma D Orendain, SDB during his keynote speech Keynote Fr FideldeliveredhiskeynoteaddressattheFIS Educators'Congress PhotobyJanOdivilas

Furthermore, Fr. Orendain stressed that schools could never go wrong when the Salesian identity and mark is at the heart of every innovation. Nods of affirmation and agreement are evident among the participants as Fr. Orendain concluded his speech reminding the educators of the noble challenge they are up to.

A light yet impactful session was facilitated by Mr. Paul Ray Mark N. Salsag in the remainder of the congress days. Mr. Salsag shared starting points for building a culture of innovation in schools focusing on the following key areas: curriculum and instruction, assessment, teacher development, linkage building, and brand building.

Echoing voices and thrilled conversations enveloped the session hall as Salesian Educators were also engrossed with several activities and workshops during the congress, such as the plenary activities on getting to know other Salesian Educators and sharing of insights from previous inputs to building their innovative classroom desk prototype, and benchmarking on possible school innovation management items with their fellow educators in the same field from different settings As the night of March 15 approached, music and laughter engulfed the hall as Salesian Educators showcased their talents during the fellowship night-a night, which rightfully proved that Salesian Educators are well-rounded individuals Moreover, exciting raffle prizes sponsored by guest publishing houses: Salesiana Books, Vibal Publishing, and Quipper Philippines thrilled the educators The said publishing houses also staged a mini-expo for the educators and administrators alike, ready to partner with their publishing needs

Embracing A Culture of Innovation

One by one, six teacher-innovators owned the stage during the teacher-innovator presentation as the classroom innovations they implemented toward effective learning were featured. The activity is a clear manifestation that, indeed, seeds of innovation have already been planted among Salesian Educators. Institutionalizing innovative practices is surely the next big step.

The Province dreams that FIS schools would collaborate and share best practices to promote continuous improvement and innovation in the delivery of Salesian education. And as the end of the congress drew near, this aspiration was solidified by Fr. Rooney John G. Undar, SDB, FIS Youth Ministry Delegate, as he presented the FIS Education Agenda gearing towards a “Unified School System towards East Asia and ASEAN Linkages”. The deliverables are subdivided into the dimensions of the Salesian Educative Pastoral Plan: Education and Culture, Education to the Faith, Social Experience, and Vocation Animation Fr Undar emphasized that these targets would require work and would take several years to fruition but he assured everyone of the Province’s commitment in the desire to raise the quality of Salesian education in the Province •

ActiveParticipation

Delegatestothecongressenthusiasticallyjoinedthe activitiespreparedforthem Seenhereisagroup activity PhotobyJanOdivilas