World Cafe organizers Alexandros Pantazidis and Maria Scordialos hosted a large-scale Marist Formation Day in Athens, Greece for the full staff of both Leonteios Schools, inspired by the theme:

“From the lonely step to the collective journey”
How do we continue in the footsteps of our Founder, responding at the same time to the modern era?

The event brought together 216 participants (teachers, administrative and technical staff, as well as Marist Brothers), creating a rare opportunity for a whole educational community to reflect collectively on its identity, its mission, and its future.

The heart of the day was a World Café process, conducted through nine parallel rooms (with 20–21 participants and two hosts in each room), designed to deepen participants’ understanding of key principles from the book “In the Footsteps of Marcellin Champagnat – Marist Pedagogical Mission” and to transform personal reflection into shared meaning, collective insight, and practical direction.

What Emerged: 7 Key Axes of Collective Discovery

From the dialogue, seven major themes arose as shared priorities for the future of the school community:

1. Strengthening collaboration and collective spirit
2. Continuous professional development and teacher learning
3. Improving communication and human relationships
4. Building adaptability and resilience in a changing world
5. Encouraging innovation while remaining rooted in tradition
6. Using technology and AI responsibly, with digital skill development
7. Cultivating values: self-awareness, empathy, and humanistic education

These themes were not abstract ideals—they reflected a strong desire for the “next step,” and a collective commitment to turning insights into real actions that can strengthen belonging, professional growth, and the educational mission of the schools.

The Spirit of the Day

Many participants described the process as unusually warm, human, and energizing—more like a real café than a formal training day. The World Café created a climate of trust and openness, allowing colleagues from different school levels and roles to exchange perspectives as equals.

A particularly meaningful dimension was the recognition that the school is not simply an institution but a community—and that dialogue itself is part of Marist identity.

Next Steps as Part of the Harvest

The organizing committee decided to extend the harvest beyond the event itself, including:

• displaying the flipcharts created during the Café in staff rooms and offices
• presenting the seven main axes to all staff in an interactive way
• inviting staff groups to propose concrete actions linked to selected axes
• organizing follow-up meetings with the hosts for feedback and continuation

In this way, the World Café was not treated as a one-time experience, but as the beginning of a longer collective journey.

SHORT BIOS OF THE CO-ORDINATORS

Maria Scordialos  https://www.mariascordialos.com/

Alexandros Pantazidis (born 1962) has worked as a biologist in private education since 1993, combining teaching practice with scientific research. Since 2013, he has focused on constructive dialogue methodologies that foster creativity and innovation in education. He has actively promoted the World Café methodology in Greece, serving since 2016 as the coordinator of “THE WORLD CAFÉ – Hellas Project.” He is also developing the website pediodialogou.gr, an open initiative inviting collaboration among individuals and groups committed to cultivating a culture of dialogue and positive social contribution.