Father Jean-Baptiste de La Salle was a French priest born in 1651, known for founding the Institute of the Brothers of the Christian Schools. He dedicated his life to improving education for poor children in France, emphasizing the importance of teaching in the vernacular language rather than Latin. De La Salle is recognized as the patron saint of teachers and educators. His innovative methods included training lay teachers and creating a structured curriculum, which laid the groundwork for modern education systems. He passed away in 1719 and was canonized as a saint in 1900, celebrating his contributions to education and youth welfare.