Photo courtesy: RELAN Registration Page
Three religious studies educators from the District of San Francisco New Orleans will present a new Lasallian curriculum initiative as part of the Lasallian Region of North America (RELAN) Regional Webinar Series on Wednesday, October 14, 2026, at 6:00 p.m. ET / 3:00 p.m. PT.
The session, New Directions in the Lasallian Heritage High School Curriculum, will be led by Seth Alexander, Ph.D., religious studies teacher at Christian Brothers High School in Sacramento; Thomas Guro, religious studies department chair at Christian Brothers High School; and Mary Alice Spinelli, religious studies department chair at Justin-Siena High School in Napa.
In consultation with Brother George Van Grieken, FSC, the three educators have begun developing Lasallian-themed supplements to the four-year high school religious studies curriculum. The framework is built on the standards set by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB), integrating Lasallian content and pedagogy while maintaining alignment with established Catholic curriculum requirements.
The webinar will introduce the initiative’s first module, developed for freshmen, which focuses on the life of Saint John Baptist de La Salle, founder of the Institute of the Brothers of the Christian Schools and patron saint of teachers. Presenters will also outline the framework’s broader vision for incorporating Lasallian elements across additional courses in the high school sequence.
Brother George Van Grieken, FSC, is a De La Salle Christian Brother and the author of Touching the Hearts of Students: Characteristics of Lasallian Schools, a widely used resource on Lasallian educational identity. He has led workshops and retreats on Lasallian spirituality and pedagogy for educators in the United States and internationally.
The RELAN Regional Webinar Series offers continuing formation for Lasallian educators throughout the year. Led by educators from across the Region, the sessions address current trends in Lasallian Catholic education and provide resources for the classroom, office, and wider educational community. The series is free and open to all Lasallians.
Registration for the October 14 webinar is available through the RELAN website.
