By Herald Malaysia
SHAH ALAM – In a bold step towards elevating the quality of teaching and learning, Stella Maris Schools have embarked on a transformative professional development program aimed at equipping educators with the skills needed for today’s dynamic classrooms.
As education continues to evolve, so too does the need for teachers to adapt — not just in what they teach, but how they teach. Recognising this, Stella Maris rolled out a two-year Effective Professional Development (EPD) program, with the first phase taking place over a two-day seminar-workshop recently.
Designed to go beyond traditional workshops, EPD fosters deep, sustained changes in teaching practice through active engagement, collaboration, reflection, and classroom-connected learning. The initiative focuses on building content knowledge, developing practical strategies, enhancing motivation, and most crucially, encouraging a mindset shift among educators.
The training was spearheaded by the school’s chaplain, Fr Alvin Ho SJ, who also chairs the Education Development Committee under Yayasan Tan Sri Dominic Vendargon (YTDV) — the foundation managing the Stella Maris suite of schools.
“It’s really about upskilling our teachers — empowering them to perform better in their current roles while preparing them for future responsibilities,” said Fr Alvin. “This is also part of our Christian duty: to nurture our teachers just as they nurture our students. They are the heart of any school — not just educators, but mentors and facilitators of growth.”
Held at the school’s Shah Alam campus, the seminar took an interactive, hands-on approach, featuring group sharing, role plays, group dynamics, and self-reflection. Teachers were encouraged to contribute insights and apply new tools to real classroom scenarios, particularly in areas such as resource use, lesson planning, and classroom management.
The event featured an impressive lineup of speakers, carefully curated by Fr Alvin. On the first day, educators were guided by Dr Dhanesh Balakrishnan (Dean of Student Life & Wellness), Eric Amaladas (Senior Director, Counsellor and Life Coach), and Franklin Morais (Lecturer and Certified Professional Coach) — all from HELP University. Their sessions delved into the development of growth mindsets, teacher motivation, and effective pedagogy.
Day two was fully led by Professor Dr Xavier Pereira, consultant psychiatrist, psycho-therapist, and founder-chair of the Catholic Counsellors and Therapists of Malaysia. A respected figure from Taylor’s University School of Medicine, Dr Xavier focused on understanding, managing, and healing stress, anxiety, and depression — a timely subject given the increasing emotional demands placed on educators.
The course also explored emotional intelligence, sustainable motivation, and mental wellness — highlighting the importance of a teacher’s personal development alongside professional growth.
Participants described the training as both engaging and uplifting, with dynamic sessions that balanced practical tools with personal reflection. “The weekend was not only informative but also refreshing — it reminded us why we became teachers in the first place,” one teacher remarked.
Fr Alvin closed the program by invoking the spirit of Pope Leo XIV’s message to the De La Salle Brothers on May 15, saying: “Current demanding challenges must become springboards to develop tools that continue to touch the hearts of pupils — helping them to give their best in life, according to God’s plan.”
With this initiative, Stella Maris has taken a meaningful step toward reshaping teacher development — placing faith, purpose, and professionalism at the heart of education. – Herald Malaysia
