When the word “discipline” comes around, the sound often echoes a booming thunder, a sound that could make students strictly fall in line. A stern authority with firm rules and students must fear.
Yet in Montessori De Sagrada Familia, Christian Anthony Valino acts as a special beacon of light behind the Sagradan discipline whose name evokes a different sentiment altogether. Why, you might ask?
Well, as an alumnus who once walked the very same corridors, Valino, now respected as the Student-Wellbeing Officer and soon-to-be Vice Principal for the Office of Student Affairs (OSA) in the Elementary department, embodies a sweet change in disciplinary philosophy.
Half a decade ago, armed with a youthful vision, he embraced a proactive approach to doing his task. Simply put, Valino rooted everything in virtues rather than punishment.
“In those formative years, discipline took a backseat,” reflects Valino. “We shifted the focus to genuine character development through programs that were anchored in love.”
Under Valino’s leadership, the so-called “Sagradan Virtues Project” flourished significantly, cultivating growth fueled by the boundless reservoir of love—which he believed is the essence and source of all virtues. He even mentioned this during his premier feature in our school paper way back in 2019.
As he is about to assume his new role as a VP, Valino envisions not just a continuation but an elevation of these character formation programs, and of course, further reinforcement of the Sagradan Virtues Project, and lastly, the enrichment of servant leadership with all the depth he gained from being a Sagradan and long-time seminary student.
With the helping hand of the whole OSA and his elementary department family, Sir Christian also plans to ultimately integrate Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) programs, which emphasize social and emotional skills to the same degree as core subjects.
“As always, anything new and ideal will be a challenge, but with the help of the whole community, we will ensure that in every decision, in every program, we will put students in the core of it all,” he continued.
Not with an iron fist, but with empathy and compassion, Valino seeks to imprint the hearts of our students with the transformative power of love—a force that transcends barriers and will truly shape the leaders and hopes of tomorrow.
“In those five years, I felt and I saw, that they (Sagradans) didn’t follow me because of fear as their motivator. They learned to respect all out of love, the source of all virtues.”