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.
Cameron, John. Saint John Baptist de La Salle: A Biography. London: Burns & Oates, 1992.
Roussel, Jacques. Jean-Baptiste de La Salle: Un réformateur de l’éducation chrétienne. Paris: Desclée de Brouwer, 2001.
Healy, Michael. John Baptist de La Salle: A Spiritual Biography. New York: Paulist Press, 1984.
Miller, Timothy. The Life and Legacy of St. John Baptist de La Salle. Chicago: Loyola University Press, 1999.
Van Hecke, Charles. The Founding of the Institute of the Brothers of the Christian Schools. Rome: Lasallian Publications, 1978.
Salvador, William. The Educational Innovations of John Baptist de La Salle. London: Routledge, 1996.
Sotelo, Francisco. Saint John Baptist de La Salle and the Development of Modern Education. New York: HarperCollins, 1990.
Peters, John. De La Salle: A Study in Education and Faith. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 1983.
