In connection with the Ateneo de Davao University (AdDU)’s ongoing assistance to Jesuit education in Thailand, specifically in Xavier Learning Community (XLC) in Chiang Rai, Thailand, six (6) representatives (two Jesuits and four lay lecturers) flew over to Davao City for their Special Training in Cultures-Based Pedagogy.
This teacher training was conducted by the Ateneo de Davao’s School of Education, guiding the XLC in their administration of the recently developed cultures-based curriculum for indigenous and culturally-sensitive education in Northern Thailand.
The training was conducted from 23-26 August 2022 at Conference D, 3/F Ricci Hall, Community Center of First Companions, Ateneo de Davao University.
The AdDU Curriculum Development team facilitated the in-person conversations on cultural content, cultures-based teaching strategies, and assessments with the XLC representatives from their administrative and academic departments.
Among the trainees were Fr. Vinai Boonlue, S.J., Director of XLC, Fr. Pichet Saenthien, S.J., the Academic Vice-Director of XLC, and Ms. Ang Sumalee Samerporn, Mr. Sikarin “Omm” Kosanwattana, Mr. Tossapol “Dodge” Nopsuwanchai, and Mr. Sumit “Art” Choemue.
The XLC team was welcomed by the University President, Fr. Joel E. Tabora, S.J., along with other Jesuits from the Ateneo community. The welcome party was also joined by the Cardoner Volunteers from the Arrupe Office of Social Formation, who were previously deployed to teach in XLC.
The delegates were also given the opportunity to tour the AdDU campuses and join the daily mass at the Our Lady of the Assumption Chapel and Christ the King Chapel.
We would like to extend our gratitude to the teacher trainers from the School of Education, Dr. Annabel J. Casumpa, Dr. Maria Teresa B. Isidor, and Mr. Rex T. Rola, without whom the training program and the development of the cultures-based curriculum would not have been possible.
