St. Jean-Baptiste de La Salle

St. Jean-Baptiste de La Salle (30 April 1651 – 7 April 1719) was a French priest, educational reformer, and founder of the Institute of the Brothers of the Christian Schools. This community grew rapidly and was successful in educating boys of poor families, using methods designed by Jean. It prepared teachers in the first training college for teachers and also set up homes and schools for young delinquents of wealthy families. The motivating element in all these endeavors was the desire to become a good Christian. He is a saint of the Catholic Church and the patron saint for teachers of youth. La Salle dedicated much of his life to the education of poor children in France; in doing so, he started many lasting educational practices.