Embodying the Marist values in education: A grounded theory approach

This dissertation attempts to develop a substantive theory that supports and explains the Lay Marists’ experiences on Marist spirituality in educational settings in the Philippines. The expressions and thoughts of the participants ranging from Marist lay administrators to teachers and staff, as regards to their perception of Marist spirituality, were analyzed, and coded using Barney Glaser’s original grounded theory methodology. Embodying the Marist values emerged as the participants’ main concern, labeled as the core category. This was resolved conceptually by identifying and defining the Marist values (five) and the categories considered as the process of embodying the Marist values. The participants’ concept of Marist spirituality emphasized five Marist values that need to be embodied. They were as follows – Faith, Following Jesus through embracing Mary’s spirit and Marcellin’s life, Family spirit, Loving selflessly, especially the least favored children, and Striving for excellence. Embodying these values considered the following process: knowing or learning the Marist values, experiencing the Marist values, and imbibing the Marist values. The iterative process represented and personified the participants’ overall understanding of embodying the Marist values. Embodying the values could lead them to become Marists, witnesses in education, and onboard with the institution’s vision and mission. The onboarding could create a strong community whose members’ identities, and values are aligned with the institution. By being aligned with the organization, they could contribute to fulfilling its vision and mission through their actions, whether in the classroom with the students, with each other, or with the people outside the organization. The theory brought a coherent framework that could help the personnel and other stakeholders in a Marist learning institution to form/develop their identity as Marist and be onboard in championing the vision and mission of the institution.Keywords: Grounded Theory, Core Category, Marist Spirituality, Lay Marists, Embodying, Marist Values, Education, Onboarding, Witnesses, Marist identity