Continuing with the Lasallian best practices that we have been sharing, based on the testimonies of some Brothers and Partners from various Districts, in this fourth and final instalment, we present some initiatives from the Districts of France and French-speaking Europe, the Antillas-Mexico Sur and Italy.
Councils serving the educational network
Brother Claude Reinhardt, Visitor of the District of France and French-speaking Europe, explains that for some time now “the District has made it a practice to carry out extensive consultations, hold regular meetings and establish various Councils: the Mission Council, the Stewardship Council and the District Council”.
These Councils communicate with one another and are, as such, a practical expression of the Church’s synodality from the perspective of the Lasallian vocation, where “the most important thing is that these Councils are at the service of the network of ministries, and enable authentic educational progress in the service of young people and their education, but also in the service of adults”, adds Brother Claude.
The value of community
“In the Antillas-Mexico Sur District, we are convinced of the value of community,” states Brother Gerardo Isaac Martínez. “In the various communities, in the schools, in educational practice, in all our documents (…) we want this to reflect the value and significance that our communities hold within the Lasallian vision.”
In practical terms, this translates into the opportunity to “create spaces for dialogue, spaces for greater interaction, and this is also reflected in the relationships our students build”. Furthermore, “in our day-to-day activities, we seek to foster greater collaborative learning”, says Brother Gerardo, highlighting the importance of facilitating “authentic dialogue, where we share not only our lives but also our innermost thoughts”.
Training for teachers and school leaders
In the case of the District of Italy, best practices “have evolved over time: these are things we have done regularly, which we have paused and then resumed”, explains the Visitor, Brother Gabrielle di Giovanni, underlining some specific examples, such as the Lasallian Games, which include a series of sporting activities for all the children and young people.
Similarly, he considers that “one best practice has been our focus on the formation of both teachers and school leaders”, an initiative that has been underway for some time but which has, nevertheless, been updated in recent years.
Learn more HERE about other Lasallian Best Practices within the Institute of the Brothers of the Christian Schools.