Values for the Yatra

Archdiocesan Value Education Centre (AVEC ) E-Letter JULY 2011

THE VALUE OF BRILLIANCE

A Diamond is valued for its BRILLIANCE. In moving towards being a DIAMOND VALUED STUDENT, one has to discover the Value of Brilliance. Brilliance, in simple words, means the quality of being magnificent or splendid or illustrious or grand. While Brilliance is often associated with unusual mental ability, we would like to go beyond mere mental associations. Life is a BODY-MIND-HEART-SOUL balance and the fullness of Being is to attain this balance. BRILLIANCE, then, is this quality of being in balance. Our Educational Environments must enable our young students to see the bigger picture of Life. Life is more than just an expansion of ones mind or intellect. Education to Values is an Education to Becoming. Becoming is a life long project. In becoming I must also enable others to become - to blossom and live a balanced life. In proposing the first Diamond ValueBRILLIANCE, we invite educational institutes to help students understand BRILLIANCE, not just from the intellectual aspect, but as an opportunity to be more proactive. Brilliance must never be a selfish possession. A Brilliant Professor is not one with a sharp intellect, but one who in having a sharp intellect, makes his/her students also sharp. Similarly, a brilliant sportsperson is one who attracts other youngsters to walk in his/her footsteps. In simple words, the Value of Brilliance is just this: If I am brilliant, others must become brilliant because of me. Being Good is not enough. Others must become good because of me. Brilliance is setting high standards for myself, and in doing so, others too are able to stretch their own standards of excellence. If he/she can, why not I? Mediocrity always likes company. Mastery has few followers. The Value of Brilliance invites students to understand the importance of having Good Role Models and also being a Good Role Model to others. Mark Twain warns us, Keep away from people who try to belittle your ambitions. Small people always do that, but the really great make you feel that you, too, can become great. Tyron Edwards adds, People never improve unless they look to some standard or example higher and better than themselves. Can we recognize and reward students even on the basis of their good character. Can we challenge our students towards Education to Becoming? Can we move from Peer Pressure dynamics and propose a new Peer Energy project wherein students model one another on what is good and valuable rather than on what is negative and mediocre.
As a young student at St. Dominic Savio, Andheri we were often reminded of the words of Henry W. Longfellow, Lives of great men all remind us, that we too can make our lives sublime, and departing leave behind footprints on the sands of time. May this scholastic year be a NEW FOOTPRINT on the sands of time. Fr. Glenford Lowe sdb

In this ISSUE

The Value of BRILLIANCE

Discovering Brilliance My Brilliance Poster

Brilliant Teacher 4 Brilliance Brilliant Competitions

5 6

Values for the Yatra

Archdiocesan Value Education Centre (AVEC ) E-Letter JULY 2011

DISCOVERING PERSONAL BRILLIANCE

T here is a Brilliant Child locked inside every student Marva Collins E very Child is Unique Dr. Abdul Kalam

In a country like India, there is no one who has really inspired and challenged Young minds, like former President, Space Scientist, Educator and Visionary Dr. Abdul Kalam
In a talk given to over 600 teachers in UAE, early this year, on CREATIVE LEARNING, Dr. Kalam said, Every youth wants

to be unique

but the world around is doing its

best, day and night, to make them like everybody else. He added, T eachers should make an effort to make them unique in their own way. Stressing on Value Education, Dr. Kalam said, Schools need a dynamic environment and education should be designed in such a way that it empowers in young minds Focusing on the important role played by teachers, he added, W hile most teachers categorize students based on their academic performance, the need for betterment in primary education calls for a

a value system

complete overhaul of the teaching system.

Normally people evaluate the success of a school based on its pass percentage. There is

need for a paradigm shift in thinking and evaluation process

C hildren see their

teachers as role models. There should be a learning environ-

ment where there is nothing like a good student, average student or a poor student. The whole school and teacher system should be involved in creating students who perform their best. This is discovering personal brilliance!!! The 12

Diamond Values

a s proposed by AVEC, is an

effort in this paradigm shift direction to unlock

the Brilliance

in

every child, to create Value based Educational Environments, where teachers as Role Models will enable students to be Models too.

Values for the Yatra

Archdiocesan Value Education Centre (AVEC ) E-Letter

JULY 2011

CREATE YOUR BRILLIANCE POSTER

Values for the Yatra

Archdiocesan Value Education Centre (AVEC ) E-Letter JULY 2011

BRILLIANT TEACHER: A VALUE GURU

As an educator of the young, it is important to check out what is the impact you make daily on the minds and hearts of your students. Here is an opportunity for self evaluation and an opportunity to see yourself through the eyes of your students.

How does your Personality and the Values you stand for impact your students?

Teachers Personality and Values

Commitment to Vision, Goals and Mission of the Educational Institute Love for my Vocation as a Teacher Care for the Overall Excellence of my Students Exercise of Authority, & Classroom Management Personal Attention, Fairness to each Student Knowledge of Class Content and Syllabus Methodology in Teaching and Follow up Motivate and Challenge Students for Life Integrate Values with Teaching Syllabus Political Views and Cause Consciousness God Fearing and Religious Tolerance Team Work, Student Participation and Delegation Compassion and Love for Service Punctuality and Time Management Personal Etiquette and Moral Character Creativity and Extra Curricular Activities Peace, Serenity and Stress Management Relationships and Interaction with Parents and Students Appreciation, Sense of Humor, and Patience

NO IMPACT

SMALL IMPACT

AVERAGE IMPACT

LARGE IMPACT

Values for the Yatra

Archdiocesan Value Education Centre (AVEC ) E-Letter JULY 2011

WHAT is BRILLIANCE?
Brilliance is being able to say the right thing at the right time. Even if that time is surrounded by sorrow, anger or fear. Brilliance is doing the right thing at the right time, even if that means sacrifice. Perhaps its even doing the right thing at the wrong time because one never knows what the right time is but we do know whats the right thing to do. Brilliance isnt the manipulation of people or gaining power playing on their insecurities or prejudices. It isnt one-ups manship or having the most people on your side in an argument. It certainly isnt name calling or being indifferent. Brilliance is listening to the breeze of thought, debates with ideas, disagreements with tolerance to opposing views. Its the reverberation of Life, the cacophony of cultures and the streams of consciousness that are a part of the human condition and experience. Brilliance is the sound of children laughing, a cats purr, a dog licking your face, your childs hand in yours, the ocean surf, the smell of home cooked food and music that lights your imagination or ignites your feet in dance. Art that feeds your soul any form of art. Living is an art. Brilliance is staring at the stars miles from civilization and marveling at all that is out there and inside of each of us. It is the quiet reflection each night before sleep and the wonderous revelations in the light of day. Brilliance isnt diamonds or gold. Its treasuring people, feelings and emotions more than things. Brilliance is silence in the dead of night on the beach. the first palette of colors that paint dawn the last hues as twilight ebbs, understanding another without words an indescribable kiss, a myriad of touches subtle, unexpected, unique in each of us the ripple effect of compassion, empathetic concern overwhelming when youre in its presence a mosaic of whispered words, tears in sympathy, tears of joy Tears are brilliant in their own right, So many kinds of them.: a deep laugh, sighs of contentment a lust for life; all its pleasures the loyalty of those around you ideas and actions that enrich and liberate a catalyst for change, nor matter how minute making a difference if just to yourself inspires, desires simplicity Brilliance is, knowing what song to sing to soothe a teething baby. Brilliance is, knowing the sound of an aching soul and being able to harmonize with it. (By Sudha Amit in http://www.reasonforliberty.com/inspiration/what-is-brilliance.html)

Values for the Yatra

Archdiocesan Value Education Centre (AVEC ) E-Letter JULY 2011

Am I a STUDENT of BRILLIANCE ?
1. Is your life a STAGNANT reservoir , a FLOWING river, a DRY desert or a SHINING RAINBOW?

2. Do you study for the sake of EXAMS, to PLEASE your PARENTS, for a BRIGHT CAREER, or for LIFE?

3. Do you channel your energy for Destruction or Construction, in PEER PRESSURE OR PEER ENERGY?

4. As a Person, are you SELFISH or GENEROUS, ANGRY or LOVING?

5. Are you an IMITATOR, or a SIGNIFICANT ROLE MODEL, a LEADER or a Mute Follower

L ight a Candle, rather than Curse the Darkness

W hen you are in a Hole, stop digging

Values for the Yatra

Archdiocesan Value Education Centre (AVEC ) E-Letter JULY 2011

DON BOSCO: FATHER, FRIEND and TEACHER OF YOUTH

Bosco's capability to attract numerous boys and adult helpers was connected to his "Preventive System of Education". He believed education to be a "matter of the heart" and said that the young must not only be loved, but know that they are loved. He also pointed to three components of the Preventive System: reason, religion and kindness. Music and games also went into the mix.

The Relics of St John Bosco currently on a five continent tour will arrive at Mumbai in August, 2011. Don Bosco BORIVILI - St. Josephs WADALA DON BOSCO MATUNGA 9 -16th August, 2011

ALL ARE WELCOME

to be part of this Great Pilgrim Movement...

My School: A Value Diamond Environment

# Rules: Poster Size A3 # All entries must be signed by the Value Education Coordinator
together with the School seal . ` # Send ONLY the BEST THREE in each category: Seniors (std IX-X), Inters (Std VIIVIII), Juniors (IV-VI) # Last date: All entries to reach AVEC by 25th August 2011 # WINNERS will be declared in the next Values for the Yatra.

Values for the Yatra

Archdiocesan Value Education Centre (AVEC ) E-Letter JULY 2011

St.AnnesGirlsDabulStd XOrientation

St.AnnesGirlsHighSchoolDabul TeachersOrientationProgram

IN APPRECIATION AVEC wishes to thank Mrs. Loretta Xavier for all her valuable Voluntary services in judging the Care for Creation Competitions 2010-11. She is a retired teacher from Rosary High School, Dockyard. She taught English and Social Studies from std V X. She retired after 37 years of faithful and committed service. Thank you and God bless you always!
AVEC E-Letter Values for the Yatra is an initiative to provide Animation Resources for Teachers involved in Value Education in the ABE schools/ Jr. Colleges .Values for the Yatra is published every month and is for private circulation. Your valuable suggestions are most welcome to assist us in making Values for the Yatra a useful tool of animation and bonding among the Management, teachers and students of the ABE schools in Mumbai. CONTACT: Fr. Glenford Lowe, SDB / Michelle DSouza / Rochwyn Fernandes / Margaret Dubey / Sr. Vera AVECDon Bosco Youth Services, Matunga 400019 , MUMBAI Ph: 24154477 e-mail: avecmatunga@gmail.com blog: avecmumbaidbys.blogspot.com