Lasallian Fellows

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Lasallian Pedagogy Fellows

Christian Brothers Conference is launching a Lasallian Pedagogy Fellows program that will begin September 2026. This program will invite participants to deepen their knowledge of Lasallian pedagogy while engaging in three in-person sessions and 10 virtual sessions over 18 months.   

The inaugural cohort will accompany one another on a journey as fellow learners by exploring where we come from as Lasallian educators while prayerfully considering how and why Lasallian educators continue to be relevant in meeting the needs of young people today. In community, participants will discern how their personal vocation aligns with the underlying and overarching principles and historical impact of the Lasallian educational mission. Together they will enhance and sustain our understanding of contemporary Lasallian pedagogy. 

The inaugural group will be led by Dr. Michael Daniels, director of education for the District of San Francisco New Orleans. 

Download the general program information.  

Participant Qualifications

Potential participants will likely:

• Be graduates of a formation program like the Buttimer Institute, the Johnston Institute, the Lasallian Leadership Institute, or Brothers’ formation.  
• Hold a certificate or advanced degree in education. 
• Have experience in teaching, leadership, or ministry who desire deeper formation in pedagogy rooted in the Lasallian tradition. 
• Be open-minded and curious practitioners who are willing to explore how Lasallian pedagogy can be applied within their own educational context. 
• Show willingness to help (a) with disseminating Lasallian pedagogy especially on the local level or (b) with enriching Lasallian scholarship by the production, publication or preparation of new resource materials expected. 

Goals and Curriculum

The goals of this program are personal, communal and professional. Participants will examine personal and vocational growth through reflective awareness of one’s strengths, call and educational purpose. All focus upon communal formation through co-learning, accompaniment , and shared interpretation will be integrated throughout the experience.  

Participants will engage in professional development through the integration of Lasallian heritage with contemporary pedagogical approaches such as culturally responsive teaching, trauma-informed practice, and student-centered learning. Participants will be expected to contribute to our Church, the Institute, and Lasallian ministries by exploring potential opportunities to serve as formators, presenters, and authors, particularly in identified areas of local formation around Lasallian pedagogy and contributing to Lasallian scholarship. 

Key Dates

The application process will begin March 1, 2026, and applications are due by May 1, 2026.  Applicants will be notified of their status by June 1, 2026.  

The program will begin with an in-person session in September 2026. Subsequent in-person sessions will be in March 2027 and February 2028. Fellows will participate in a Zoom orientation that will be held in August 2026. 

Cost

There will be no cost to participants. Participants or ministries will be expected to cover the travel cost to the three in-person sessions.

Frequently Asked Questions 

I’m trying to decide between Buttimer and the Lasallian Pedagogy Fellows. Which should I choose? 

The Lasallian Pedagogy Fellows program is an advanced, in-depth study in contemporary Lasallian Pedagogy. The successful applicant will likely have completed the Buttimer Institute of Lasallian Studies or another advanced formation program (CIL, Brothers’ formation, etc.) and will have an advanced degree or certificate in education. 

What are the dates? 

The 10 Zoom sessions will be scheduled once the cohort is set but will likely be in the late afternoon / early evening, so as not to conflict with ministerial commitments. We ask you to set aside 90 minutes for each Zoom session so that the conversations do not go longer than that. 

The three in-person dates will be as follows: Sept. 25-27 (Chicago, IL); March 2027 (TBD) and February 2028 (TBD). 

I heard about the Spirituality Fellows program. Can I do both? 

In 2025, Christian Brothers Conference launched the Lasallian Spirituality Fellows program, which closely parallels the Pedagogy Fellows program. The next cohort of the Spirituality Fellows is expected to begin in August 2027. Each program is designed to be an immersive experience that requires time, reflection and commitment. To ensure participants can fully engage with the content of each program, we encourage applicants to choose the one that best fits your current interests and needs and consider applying to the other in a future year.

How many people will be accepted? 

We anticipate a first cohort of 10 to 12 fellows. This small group will allow for deeper relationships, a richer learning experience and more meaningful conversations.

What if I’m not accepted? Will I have another chance in the future? 

Yes. This is our inaugural cohort. We plan to run this program regularly. 

How do I make sure my application is strong enough? 

We want to understand your background, and your interest in the program. Why does this matter to you, and how will you use it to benefit your ministry, your District or the Lasallian educational mission? We will take your personal philosophy of education and your recommendation letter very seriously.

Is there actually no cost? 

Christian Brothers Conference is covering the cost of the facilitator, presenters, the books that you will be read (which will be sent to you throughout the program), and the facilities and meals during the in-person sessions. You or your ministry is required to cover the cost of travel to the three in-person sessions.

Can I be a presenter on Lasallian pedagogy when I complete the program? 

Most likely. Our hope is that the fellows will have an expertise in Lasallian pedagogy that will help them to support Lasallians, ministries and initiatives important to the Institute. They might be invited to speak at schools, they might author reflections or articles, or they might support ministry, District or Regional formation programs.

Questions? 

Any questions on the program may be sent to Sarah Laitinen, director of education and formation, at slaitinen@cbconf.org.

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Lasallian Spirituality Fellows

Christian Brothers Conference launched a Lasallian Spirituality Fellows program in September 2025. This program invited Lasallians to deepen their knowledge of Lasallian Spirituality while engaging in three in-person sessions and 15 virtual sessions over 18 months. Lasallian spirituality is presented as a ministerial journey of faith, in both a personal and a communal way. Participants are currently on this journey as educators in Christ, guided by the spirit for the good of the world, particularly own the young and the poor.

Download or print general program information and frequently asked questions.

Goals and Curriculum

Participants are expected to actively participate in discussions, which will include committing to completing all readings in advance, coming prepared for conversations, and having something to contribute to share. Participants will also submit short reflection essays after every session.

The goals of this program are personal, communal and ministerial. The individual will gain a deeper understanding of Lasallian spirituality through readings and discussion on the Gospel journey of Saint John Baptist de La Salle, redemption and salvation, the mystical vision of Saint Paul, and 17th-century French spirituality. Participants will explore the seminal writings of Brothers Michel Sauvage and Miguel Campos, and others, while considering the opportunities and challenges in articulating an understanding of Lasallian spirituality in the 21st century. The community will be formed to foster a sense of collaboration and shared ministry between and among emerging and more experienced Lasallian scholars. Participants will be expected to contribute to the Church, the Institute, and Lasallian ministries by exploring potential opportunities to serve as formators, presenters and authors, particularly in identified areas of local formation around Lasallian spirituality and contributing to Lasallian scholarship.

Key Dates

The inaugural group is led by Brother William Mann, FSC, D.Min. The program began with an in-person session in September 2025. Subsequent in-person sessions will be in March 2026, November 2026 and April 2027.

Cost

There will be no cost to participants. Participants or ministries will be expected to cover the travel cost to the four in-person sessions.

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Questions?

Any questions on the Pedagogy Fellows or Spirituality Fellows program may be sent to Sarah Laitinen, director of education and formation, at slaitinen@cbconf.org.