THEME: A Lasallian Vision of Value Education

1. THEME: A Lasallian Vision of Value Education Objectives: Identify core values in a Lasallian Education. Reflect on the methods of communicating those core values in a formal school setting

2. Working definitions for this presentation Values – One’s principles or standards; One’s judgment of what is important or valuable in life Core values – often used in context of defining an organization’s most important principles or standards (values) that characterize it in the midst of other organizations of a similar nature

3. LASALLIAN CORE VALUES Heritage found in two major texts written by La Salle and the early Brothers: (progressively edited from 1690 to 1718) VISION:Meditations for the Time of Retreat PEDAGOGICAL IMPLEMENTATION: The Conduct of the Christian Schools

4. SESSION ONE LASALLIAN CORE VALUES: Those values operative within the organization which are adapted from the experience of La Salle and the early Brothers and which give a special character to the organization’s work today: Develop Awareness / Intimacy with the Divine Form community with others of a like mind Acquire Knowledge / Wisdom necessary to lead a good life Exercise Compassion / Response to the needs of others, especially the poor.

5. Core Value-IDevelop Awareness / Intimacy with the Divine • “Let us remember that we are in the holy presence of God.” “Live Jesus / God” in our hearts … Forever” 2. Develop a real relationship with God 3. Integral to that relationship is the inclusion of others and a concern for their welfare.

6. Core Value-IIForm community with others of a like mind • Relationship with others includes a common educational purpose and practices • Make a reasonable commitment of time to activities that build community • Support for the practice of other core values

7. Core Value-IIIAcquire Knowledge / Wisdom necessary to lead a good life • “good life” includes: employment; character; contribution to society; wisdom concerning the purpose of life. • Commitment to competence and excellence

8. Core Value-IVExercise Compassion / Response to the needs of others, especially the poor. • Experience / envision a relationship to others that leads to compassion / response • “needs of the poor” are a special focus for Lasallian Education

9. Session One: Core Values – Reflection / Discussion Questions • What aspect of St. Lasalle’s life or his decisions as depicted in the video do I most admire? • Which Lasallian core values do I already practice easily and frequently? Why? • Which Lasallian core value do I need to understand and develop better? Why?

10. SESSION TWOCommunicating the Lasallian Core Values • Personal example • Management: Classroom and school • Use of the imagination • Students’ experience

11. Method I: Personal Example • Challenges to our own “value system” • Impact of what we DO compared to what we SAY

12. Method II: Management – classroom and school • Effort required to achieve “competence and excellence” • Knowing the students…. • Correction versus punishment

13. Method III: Use of the Imagination • In imaginative constructs (stories, parable, movies…) the whole person is engaged • Biographies / autobiographies provide convincing proof

14. Method IV: Students’ Experience • Reinforce the experience students have when they act according to “core values” • Provide service projects rooted in the social situation that surround them

15. SESSION TWO: Communicating the Lasallian Core Values Reflection / Discussion Questions • Which Lasallian core values are already being well communicated in your school? Please describe some of the effective methods. • Which Lasallian core values are most neglected or ineffectively communicated? What can be done to improve?