Lasallian Innovation - Then and Now

Summary

The video script narrates the evolution of the Lasallian educational movement, originating from Saint La Salle's decision to educate poor children in 17th century France. It illustrates how this commitment to education expanded into a global network, with a focus on innovation and community service. The script details the Lasallian family's current impact, including their response to the COVID-19 pandemic and their dedication to helping those in need through various educational and charitable initiatives. The narrative emphasizes the importance of collaboration, tradition, and a deep-rooted belief in the power of education to transform lives.

Takeaways

• 😀 The speaker, Brother Arya, emphasizes the importance of innovation and tradition in the context of the Lasallian educational mission.
• 🌟 Innovation is often associated with technology, but Brother Arya suggests that it also involves considering tradition and established processes.
• 📚 Saint La Salle's initial 'yes' to a simple request to educate poor children marked the beginning of a significant educational movement.
• 👨‍🏫 Saint La Salle and his followers had to innovate teaching methods to educate large groups of children, leading to the development of classroom teaching.
• 🏫 The Lasallian educational model spread across France and later globally, adapting to local languages and cultures, and stabilizing the French language in the process.
• 🔄 The Lasallian educational approach evolved to include teacher training, reform schools, and specialized education to meet diverse learning needs.
• 🌐 Today, the Lasallian family operates in 80 countries with about 3,000 brothers and 90,000 teachers and staff, serving over a million students.
• 🌍 The Lasallian mission continues to adapt to contemporary challenges, such as natural disasters and the COVID-19 pandemic, by providing relief and support to affected communities.
• 🤝 The Lasallian Youth Network in various countries engages young people in leadership development and community service, fostering a sense of responsibility and solidarity.
• 💡 Innovation in the Lasallian context is driven by a desire to help those in need, collaboration, and a belief in a higher purpose, as exemplified by the ongoing commitment to education and service.

Q & A

What is the central theme of Brother Arya's discussion on innovation and new pathways?

The central theme is that innovation and new pathways often stem from simple questions and small beginnings, and they are deeply connected to tradition and established processes. The discussion emphasizes that even grand innovations start from humble origins and are often driven by a desire to help those in need.

How did Saint La Salle's life change due to a single question from Adrian Yell?

Saint La Salle's life changed when Adrian Yell asked him to help teach poor children to read, write, and do arithmetic. This simple question led him to innovate in education, ultimately founding the Lasallian educational movement that continues to this day.

What was the significant impact of Saint La Salle and the early brothers on the French language?

Saint La Salle and the early brothers had a stabilizing effect on the French language by choosing to teach in the vernacular, French, instead of Latin. This helped standardize the language across France and contributed to the development of a more unified educational system.

What was the first educational innovation introduced by Saint La Salle and the early brothers?

The first educational innovation was the establishment of classrooms where multiple students of different ages and learning styles could be taught simultaneously, moving away from the traditional one-on-one teaching model.

How did the Lasallian educational model evolve to include teacher training?

The Lasallian model evolved to include teacher training as they recognized the need to train new teachers to serve the growing number of students. This led to the creation of teacher training colleges in France, which did not exist prior to Saint La Salle's innovations.

What was the role of the Lasallian schools in providing specialized education?

The Lasallian schools played a crucial role in providing specialized education by developing schools for specific trades and skills, such as bookkeeping and maritime schools, as well as offering education in modern languages, arts, and sciences.

How has the Lasallian mission adapted to global changes and challenges?

The Lasallian mission has adapted to global changes and challenges by expanding to different parts of the world, establishing schools in various countries, and responding to local needs, such as providing relief during natural disasters and supporting communities during crises like the pandemic.

What is the current global reach of the Lasallian family?

The Lasallian family has a global reach with about 3,000 brothers in 80 countries, involved in over 1,100 educational projects that serve approximately one million students.

How does the Lasallian youth network in Singapore contribute to the community?

The Lasallian youth network in Singapore contributes to the community by conducting Saturday mentoring sessions to help students with their schoolwork, organizing year-end celebrations, accompanying children to special places like the zoo, and assisting senior members of the community in learning to use smartphones and preparing for festivals like Chinese New Year.

What are some of the activities that the Lasallian youth network in Malaysia is involved in?

The Lasallian youth network in Malaysia is involved in various activities such as raising funds for school equipment and supplies, participating in coastal and community cleanups, and continuing to engage in leadership and service opportunities even after their formal programs have ended.

What is the significance of the Lasallian centers in Malaysia and Australia?

The Lasallian centers in Malaysia and Australia serve as hubs for Lasallian activities, providing opportunities for young people to develop leadership skills through camps, conferences, and seminars, and to engage in community service and charitable activities.