The Institute of the Brothers of the Christian Schools has released a new MEL Bulletin 66 titled “Some ’New’ Virtues of a Good Teacher.” In the bulletin, Brother Gabriele Di Giovanni, FSC, Visitor of the District of Italy, expands upon the “12 Virtues of a Good Teacher” and proposes creativity, depth and vision as new virtues in addition to the original 12 — gravity, silence, humility, prudence, wisdom, patience, reserve, gentleness, zeal, vigilance, piety and generosity.
In the introduction, Brother Gabriele considers the contexts in which the original virtues were created and looks to 2020 document, “The Declaration on Lasallian Educational Mission: Challenges, Convictions, Hopes,” for three new virtues that address the changing nature of modern education. He unpacks creativity as a virtue in the first chapter, where he debunks misconceptions of its limitations, explains its universality and details how educators can tend to this virtue in practice. In the second chapter, Brother Gabriele discusses depth in its many meanings and states that it is a requirement for teachers today. Finally in the third chapter, he emphasizes the virtue of vision in educators, recognizing them as agents of change and innovation.