by Mrs Sheena Aery for BIS Mumbai

Vadodara, June 5, 2025 — Don Bosco High School, Vadodara, recently held a two-day seminar series on June 3rd and 4th, aimed at equipping its teaching and administrative staff with emotional and pedagogical tools essential for the upcoming academic year. The sessions, led by Salesian priests - Rev. Fr. Brian Moras – the newly appointed Rector and Manager and Fr. Johnson Pannasinh Bhuriya – a trained psychologist in counselling and therapy, focused on themes of emotional intelligence, self-realisation, and the application of Salesian pedagogy in daily school life.

On the first day, Rev. Fr. Johnson Pannasinh Bhuriya, a vibrant and youth-friendly priest with academic credentials in Literature, Theology, and Educational Counselling, conducted an orientation programme that explored the deep connection between a teacher’s emotional well-being and student engagement. He illustrated how a teacher’s emotional presence can influence classroom dynamics, shaping both student motivation and the overall learning environment. A guided session of meditation and a fun activity involving balloons and rubber bands allowed teachers to reflect inwardly and recognise emotional patterns within themselves. The day progressed into a self-introspective segment where teachers examined their teaching practices, reflected on their interpersonal skills, and contemplated how emotions and biases affect their professional relationships. Fr. Bhuriya encouraged them to carry forward this self-reflection in their interactions with students and parents alike. The session concluded with a vote of thanks by Tr. Nisha Mamtani.

The following morning, Rev. Fr. Brian Moras addressed the staff with a seminar on Emotional Intelligence and its Management. The session opened with a hymn in honour of St. John Bosco and progressed into a thoughtful discourse on understanding, expressing, and managing emotions. Through real-life insights and impactful quotes, Fr. Moras emphasised the role of self-awareness, forgiveness, and empathy in fostering a healthy emotional climate in schools. Principal Ms. Leena Varghese thanked him for his inspiring message and offered her best wishes to the staff.

The two-day seminar series proved to be a transformative experience, reaffirming the school’s commitment to nurturing emotionally aware and reflective educators.