John Baptist de la Salle

John Baptist de la Salle was born into a wealthy family in France in 1651. After his parents death, he cared for his younger siblings and studied for the priesthood. A man asked Father John to help form a free school for poor children. Although people criticized the idea of free schools, Father John built more, taught teachers to teach and to respect all students, and founded the Christian Brothers. St. John is the patron (April 7) of educators and principals.