Eleven regents from the Myanmar Region, with one lay volunteer from Singapore, participated in a workshop on Ignatian Pedagogy from the 27th of December to the 30th. The workshop, conducted by Fr. Johnny Go SJ, Asia Pacific education secretary and director of the Ateneo de Manila SALT Institute, was held at the newly opened Myanmar Leadership Institute (MLI) in Yangon.
2nd row (L to R): Fr. Johnny, Sara, Peter, Doan, Lam, Gerald, PV, and Fr. Buddy.
Organized by Fr. Buddy Haryadi SJ, the workshop aimed at introducing Ignatian Pedagogy to the participants, as well as in helping them discern whether or not they have a calling to the education ministry. The regents came to the workshop with diverse levels of familiarity with the IPP; Sara Wee, the newly arrived Singaporean volunteer, on the other hand, told the group from the outset that she had not yet received any training on Ignatian Pedagogy.
This very diversity among the participants, however, contributed to the richness of the learning during the four-day workshop. Given the approach employed during the sessions, there was much interaction and discussion, where the participants were encouraged to connect the ideas and concepts to their contexts.
At the beginning of the workshop, Fr. Johnny warned the participants that they would be working hard.
He was not kidding.
During the four days, the participants found themselves far from passive: Between the various inputs, they were asked to exchange ideas with fellow participants, work in small groups on various tasks that were designed to deepen their understanding, and share their insights with everyone.
At the end of the workshop, Fr. Johnny told the group how impressed he was not only by their attentiveness, but also and especially by their participation in the different discussions and the activities. Contrary to his expectations, the participants were far from hesitant to raise questions or to share their experiences and ideas.
It seems that different aspects of Ignatian Pedagogy struck different participants. When asked about their most valuable learning, Joseph Thang and Gerald Lukwe both liked how IPP focuses on cura personalis through its attention to the students’ context.
A number of the regents–like Joseph Zaw Bawn, Mwe Seng, PV Joseph Buan Sing, and Peter Quy Nguyen–found the sessions on Reflection and insights most relevant and helpful to their work.
John Bosco liked the contextual approach of the workshop and its relevance to his teaching ministry, particularly the importance of student-centered learning. He liked the contextual approach used in the workshop and its relevance to his teaching ministry.
Pham Doan, on the other hand, liked the systematic approach to the IPP used in the workshop. Tran Phi Lam, a regent from Vietnam, shared that the workshop inspired him to improve and innovate his teaching practices, while for Aye Min Jerome, the workshop widened his perspectives about teaching.
Saw Justin summed up what he liked best about the workshop: “I have learnt a new and very Jesuit teaching method which is helpful for my ministry.”
Asked what was her most important takeaway, Sara Wee said, “The most important thing I learned from the workshop is that teaching is less about skills and techniques, but more about the teacher as a person – his/her values and belief system as these impact what and how he/she decides to impart to his/her students.”
The workshop ended appropriately with a Eucharistic Celebration presided by Fr. Maurus Irsan Rimawal SJ, Socius to the Regional Superior, and a special pasta dinner,, courtesy of lay volunteers, Gillian Donoghue and Stefano Santoro.
The regents will spend the last day of 2018 with Fr. Mark Raper SJ, the Regional Superior, for their apostolic planning. Let us pray for the Jesuits and lay partners in their important mission in Myanmar!
A blessed New Year to all!
Photos courtesy of Buddy Haryadi SJ
