The Santo Nino College Foundation, Inc. (SNCFI) continues to advance its mission of nurturing competent and compassionate future educators through its active participation in the Philippine Association for Teachers and Educators (PAFTE) Region XII Seminar-Workshop held on October 4, 2025, at the KCC Mall Convention Center, General Santos City. Anchored on the theme “Building Smart and Caring Classrooms: Empowering Future Educators with AI, Positive Discipline, and Restorative Practices,” the event focused on equipping pre-service teachers with the necessary tools and values for 21st-century teaching and learning.

Representing SNCFI’s College of Education, both faculty members and pre-service teachers actively engaged in a series of learning sessions designed to strengthen their classroom management, digital competency, and ethical leadership. The discussions highlighted the integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in educational practice, emphasizing how digital tools can personalize learning experiences, enhance instructional delivery, and foster inclusive, student-centered classrooms.

Moreover, the seminar underscored the importance of positive discipline and restorative practices in shaping a safe, empathetic, and respectful learning environment. Participants were trained to move beyond punitive measures by promoting emotional intelligence, mutual respect, and conflict resolution—values essential to building caring and resilient school communities.

SNCFI’s participation in this regional academic gathering stands as a strong testament to its commitment to quality teacher education aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDG 4: Quality Education and SDG 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions). By empowering its future educators to adapt to technological shifts while upholding human-centered values, SNCFI reinforces its vision of producing globally competitive teachers who educate not only with skill but also with heart.

Through this engagement, the institution continues to ensure that its pre-service teachers are future-ready—capable of creating innovative, inclusive, and compassionate classrooms that reflect both excellence and humanity.