The Patron Saint of Teachers 

In 17th century France, schooling was no longer in step with the times. Teaching was dispersive and far from the social needs of a changing society. Culture was reserved for an elite and primary school was still based on the private individual method. A young priest had the courage to transform schooling, making it a place for anyone to prepare for life, become educated and acquire knowledge.

He is Saint John de La Salle. Born in Reims on April 30, 1651 into a noble family, John was the firstborn of 10 children. From an early age, he set out on an ecclesiastical career. After attending courses in rhetoric and philosophy at 16, he became a canon of the Chapter of the Cathedral of Reims. He then received minor orders and began his studies in theology which he continued at the Sorbonne in Paris, while attending the Seminary of Saint Sulpice. He was ordained a priest on April 9, 1678.

Assigned by the Archbishop of Reims to care for the education of young people, he began to meet teachers who wanted to learn his new teaching method. He formed this group into a school for teachers and developed a pedagogy suitable for young learners. In 1684, he founded the teacher training school, adapting it to the needs of the times, offering studies in pedagogy followed by hands-on classroom apprenticeships.

He wanted teachers to no longer explain to one student at a time, but to an entire class and chose to combine theory and practice, also involving families in the education of their children. He also invented Sunday schooling, dedicated to working students.

The center of his teaching was based on Christian values. He then gathered some teachers, proposing that they consecrate themselves to God, to give an example of Christian life to the students. He wanted these teachers to devote themselves full time to the students, so he asked that they not enter the priesthood.

With these consecrated lay people, in 1682 he founded the Institute of the Brothers of the Christian Schools. In 1688 his spiritual sons were called to teach in Paris. Resentful of his innovative methods and empowerment of the laity as teachers, the founder was accused by city’s high clergy, some parish priests and civil authorities, so much so that he was forced to leave Paris and move everything to the village of Saint-Yon, near Rouen.

His reaction was to dedicate himself to prayer, penance and study. He suffered much  from slander and unfounded accusations. In 1702, after a canonical visit, he was removed from his position as superior. He died on 7 April 1719, in the village of Saint-Yon, near Rouen. Pope Pius XII, on 15 May 1950, proclaimed him Patron Saint of teachers.