Sunday, March 20, 2011

Day 5. Organizational structures that support the 2020 Vision and the Model school approach.

Today will focus on syntheses.  Participants will organize the work of the week so that they can share it with their coworkers who are unable to come in for the seminar.  They will go over the work of the health committee to see how it will be woven into the school Vision 2020.  The institutional work will be explained: fund raising, grant applications, ongoing training in topics covered during the seminar.  The program concludes with certificates and celebration.  The seminar has been completed and the families of Nsukka Diocese will realize their opportunities in new and creative ways because of the work of all these educators both during the seminar and throughout its implementation in the Catholic Schools of the whole area.

Saturday, March 19, 2011

Day 4 We are the model school. Living the 2020 Vision

Continuing the group work seminar participants work out the steps that are needed to go from the present into the future.  Specifically they talked about the structures that would be necessary to for this transformation.  Then the tasks were put into a time line showing which could be started with this coming school year and which would need to wait until the Model School is built, or until the materials are more available.  They will be asking whether the primary and elementary schools should lead the way so the students can grow into with this visionary education, or whether the secondary schools should lead the way so that they can prepare personnel to move out into the reinvigorated diocesan schools.  After the groups completed their reports the information was organized for all to see.

Friday, March 18, 2011

Day 3: Understanding a New Vision of Education through the Story of the Universe and our Model School

A few days ago, Fr. Willie Odo told those who follow this blog a turtle story.  It is one of the many turtle stories found among indigenous cultures.  After comparing and contrasting these stories, the seminar participants will hear from Chuck Neuman one of the principals in Schools for the Children of the World.  They have prepared the architectural drawings  for the Catholic Diocese of Nsukka Model School.  This campus has two wings: one for teacher training, the other for students with whom to learn.  This central teaching / learning site will be linked to all the schools of the diocese, enabling all schools to offer the model school experience to their students. No matter how far the school is from Nsukka, local administrators, teachers and students will have the basic tools to  using many different forms of intelligence.  The participants worked toward the outlines necessary changes they will need to their school a model school for their students.   For more information on the model school read the planning guidelines.

Day 2. Understanding a New Vision of Education through Multiple Intelligences.

You wonder what education through Multiple Intelligences is?  Just like the participants in the seminar, you find this answer best by beginning with yourself.  How do you learn?  We are all concerned about the earthquake in Japan.  Would you rather read about it in the newspaper, or listen to reporters talk about it?  Do you like the first person stories coming from the survivors or the videos of the tsumani washing homes away?  Do you have family or friends in Japan whom you can talk to?  Or do you have investments in Japan which will need rebuilding?  Each of us learns differently.  After the participants reflect on their own learning styles, they work in groups to take some of the lessons they teaching, and design the material engaging the Multiple Intelligences of their students.

Wednesday, March 16, 2011

Day 1: Engaging th the Power to Transform

This transformation will occur by using the Vision 2020 which was prepared by  Mbido Olu Igu Akwukwo Katolik: Project Genesis Catholic Education  The Archdiocese of Chicago’s Office of Catholic Schools in Partnership with the Catholic Diocese of Nsukka that will direct the work of the seminar participants.  You will find this outline in the DREAMS section posted last week.  This cooperative participation of all facets of the school community, in this week-long seminar will bring this vision out into the open, with the help of our Creative God.

Sunday, March 13, 2011

Bishop Okobo welcomes Chicago Delegation


BISHOP OKOBO'S LETTER TO CHICAGO FRIENDS