Last school year, on its 20th year of operation, the Montessori De Sagrada Familia (MDSF) launched a new vision-mission statement that aims to become the learning hub for creativity and innovation.
In the pursuit towards the realization of its academic goals, the members of the Executive Committee, together with the newly appointed Subject Area Coordinators underwent a seminar-workshop in Curriculum Development held at the Senior High School building, April 18.
The seminar-workshop which intends to align the curriculum programs of the school to its vision of becoming a creative and innovative learning hub was facilitated by Dr. Trixie Marie Sison, an early childhood educator who started her career as a preschool teacher and moved up to become the Principal of the preschool unit of Miriam College (MC). Currently, she is with the Higher Education Unit of MC as the Chairperson of the Department of Child Development and Education and Coordinator of the MC-Henry Sy, Sr. Innovation Center.
The resource speaker helped the participants to unclog the true meaning of innovation and creativity through various activities such as film viewing, collaborative discussion, and her effective art of questioning. According to her, the true meaning if these words must be defined by the school leaders who are in charge of articulating and operationalizing the goals to the daily academic operations of MDSF.
She also helped the members of administrators by providing examples of approaches and programs that will allow students to be creative and innovative in a way where 21st century skills are also enriched. In one of the activities conducted, the participants presented their own views of the future school they like. As a result, everyone pledged his/ commitment to be part of a learning community where creativity and innovation are deeply fostered.
Mrs. Vilma C. Dela Cruz, the school principal was overwhelmed to hear such wonderful insights coming from the coordinators who joined the workshop. According to her, the ideas presented by the teachers all boil down to one important ingredient in sustaining the academic health of a school: teachers’ strong sense of purpose, which is to make a difference.
By: Jomar A. Dela Cruz
