Teachers gather to promote innovative Marist educational style

An encounter for Marist educators, which has been taking place for the past 20 years, was held from Feb. 4 – 9 in the city of Mar del Plata, Argentina.

Teachers, who have recently joined Marist schools and works of the Cruz del Sur Province, gathered together to, according to the Province, “create a setting that reflects the charism of Champagnat” and that “provokes them to get new knowledge and skills to challenge and promote a different and innovative Marist educational style.”

“Our specific objectives are to provoke a reflection for Marist spirituality and pedagogy for assimilation and witness, and to create networks that facilitate and allow the shared mission of the Cruz del Sur community,” said a statement released by the Province.

“Other goals include enhancing leadership multipliers and facilitators of the Marist school to evangelise by educating and promoting a tender look on behalf of the Marist teacher that values respect and care for the rights of our children,” it continued.

“Participants reflected on the educational mission and the role of teachers as Champagnat Marists, with all that this implies.”

The topics discussed were the life of St Marcellin, service leadership, the Marist educational mission, spirituality, new proposals for the Marist laity, the work of the Institute in the world and its governance structures, locally and globally.

Other issues included public policy, the right of children and youth and other issues addressed from the bibliographic and professional support of Marist life.

“Obviously, the climate of respect and deep reflection was complemented by the joy and the willingness of all these days to bear fruit and provide us with tools to keep walking in this very exciting endeavor.”