Saint John Baptist de La Salle (April 30, 1651 – April 7, 1719) was a French Catholic priest and educational reformer, known for his important contributions to the field of education, particularly in the development of modern educational methods and the creation of schools for the poor.
Key aspects of the life and work of Saint John Baptist de La Salle include:
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The founding of the Institute of the Brothers of the Christian Schools: In 1680, La Salle founded the Institute of the Brothers of the Christian Schools, also known as the Brothers of the Christian Schools, to train teachers and establish free schools for poor children. The institute played a major role in educational reform in France and other countries.
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Educational Innovation: La Salle introduced several revolutionary educational innovations at the time. He established a curriculum focused on student learning, encouraged the use of textbooks, organized students into similar age classes, and trained teachers specifically to work with children. These methods have helped improve the quality of education and make it more accessible.
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Commitment to disadvantaged children: La Salle was deeply concerned about the education of children from disadvantaged backgrounds and dedicated his life to providing them with quality education. He encouraged his brother teachers to adopt a simple lifestyle and live among students, thereby creating an educational environment closer to the realities of the children they were educating.
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Canonization: John Baptist de La Salle was beatified in 1888 by Pope Leo XIII and canonized in 1900. He became the patron saint of teachers.
The legacy of Saint John Baptist de La Salle lives on today through the schools and educational institutions affiliated with the Institute of the Brothers of the Christian Schools, which continue to put into practice his educational ideals and his commitment to the education of underprivileged children.