Honoring dedication: Sylvia Geetha D'Souza celebrated for inspiring generations on Teacher's Day
Sylvia Geetha D'Souza, a veteran science teacher at St. Joseph's High School, has dedicated over 35 years to shaping the lives of countless students. Known for her commitment to education, she has continued teaching even after her retirement, serving as a true inspiration for the entire school community. Her remarkable contributions were recently recognized during a Teacher's Day ceremony.
D'Souza, who began her journey with the institution from its founding days, has been teaching various subjects across the board. Her unique approach goes beyond textbooks, involving students in co-curricular activities such as writing and performing plays, often with the aim of creating social awareness. She has also guided her students to achieve success at the national level, including in the prestigious Inspire Awards.
Recently, D'Souza visited a healthcare facility due to some health issues, including breathing difficulties caused by prolonged use of chalk and blackboard in her classroom.
During her interaction with Dr. Haroon Hussain, a, it came to light that she had been using chalk to teach, despite modern alternatives like marker boards. D'Souza explained that she continued to teach with limited resources at the school where she serves. And inspite all the limitations was giving her 100% to bring out the best in her students.
The team of employees, including Mr. Rakesh, Mr. Dhruv kulai Mr. Lokesh Mugher, Mrs. Priyamvada, Mrs. Jayshree shetty, and many others, alongside Dr. Haroon Hussain and Dr. Sameena, unanimously felt that Mrs. Sylvia Geetha D'Souza's decades of dedicated service deserved recognition. They believed her unwavering commitment to educating children, even after retirement, exemplified the essence of a true educator. In recognition of her invaluable contributions, the team came together to honor her, acknowledging not only her long years of service but also her extraordinary passion and perseverance.
In a special ceremony, Mrs. D'Souza was honored by all those present and gifted modern teaching aids to replace the traditional chalk and blackboard, reflecting a small but significant upgrade to support her continued efforts. The gesture symbolized the appreciation of the community and her peers for her tireless work, despite the challenges she has faced.
Mrs. D'Souza stands as a living example of how one can make meaningful contributions to a healthy and educated society, even in the face of limitations. She has consistently gone above and beyond her call of duty for the sake of educating and inspiring countless students. Her life is a testament to the power of perseverance, dedication, and a deep-rooted belief in the importance of education. Her selfless service continues to impact not just her students but the entire community, demonstrating how one individual’s commitment can inspire positive change in society.
In her response to the honor, Mrs. D'Souza expressed heartfelt gratitude and reaffirmed her commitment to continue her mission of educating future generations. She encouraged others to follow their passions and serve society in whatever capacity they can. She remains a beacon of hope and an inspiration, reminding us all that true service is not bound by age or circumstance but by the desire to make a difference.
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8 children between ages of 1 and 14 dead after mass shooting in Louisiana, police say
Shreveport(US) (AP): A gunman in Louisiana killed eight children in shootings at two different homes early Sunday in the nation's deadliest mass shooting in more than two years, police in Shreveport said.
The victims ranged in age from one to about 14 years old, said Shreveport police spokesperson Chris Bordelon. A total of 10 were shot and some of the children were related to the suspect, Bordelon said.
The gunman later died after a chase with officers who fired at the suspect, Bordelon said. The suspect stole a car while leaving the scene of the shootings and was followed by police, according to Bordelon.
Police did not release the name of the suspect but did say he was an adult male. The shootings were the result of a “domestic disturbance,” Bordelon said.
Officials said they were still gathering details at the crime scenes south of downtown Shreveport — the two homes and a third location.
“This is an extensive scene unlike anything most of us have ever seen,” he said.
It was the deadliest mass shooting in the US since eight people were killed in a Chicago suburb in January 2024, according to a database maintained by The Associated Press and USA Today in partnership with Northeastern University.
At a news conference outside the residence where one of the shootings occurred, officials appeared stunned, requesting patience and prayers from the community as they sorted through multiple crime scenes.
“I just don't know what to say, my heart is just taken aback,” Shreveport Police Chief Wayne Smith said. “I cannot begin to imagine how such an event could occur.”
“This is a tragic situation — maybe the worst tragic situation we've ever had,” said Tom Arceneaux, mayor of the city in northwestern Louisiana with about 180,000 residents. “It's a terrible morning.”
Louisiana State Police say their detectives have been asked by Shreveport police to investigate. In a statement, state police say no officers were harmed in the shooting that involved an officer after a police pursuit into Bossier City on Sunday morning.
State police are asking anyone with pictures, video or information to share it with state police detectives.
Louisiana Gov Jeff Landry said in a statement that he and his wife were heartbroken. “We're deeply grateful to the law enforcement officers and first responders working tirelessly on the scene,” he added.
