WASHINGTON, D.C. – Eight young Lasallians from across the United States gathered at St. John’s College High School from June 21-25 for the 2026 Adrien Nyel Institute, a five-day experience designed to help participants explore the vocation of teaching through the Lasallian tradition.
Hosted by the Adrien Nyel Project, the Institute brought together students from Calvert Hall College High School, Christian Brothers Academy, Mount St. Mary’s University, Central Catholic High School, and St. John’s College High School. Through conversations with educators, school visits, workshops, and shared experiences in community, participants were invited to consider how education can serve as a pathway to leadership, service, and meaningful impact.
The week began with community-building activities and reflection led by Br. Ernest J. Miller, FSC, Director of the Adrien Nyel Project, and Henry Seton of Christian Brothers Academy in Lincroft, New Jersey. Participants were encouraged to reflect on their own educational journeys and to consider the question that would remain at the center of the week: why teach?
Throughout the Institute, participants engaged with experienced educators from a variety of educational settings. Henry Seton introduced participants to the science of learning through interactive activities focused on retrieval practice, reflection, questioning, and student engagement. His sessions highlighted how effective teaching strategies can deepen understanding, strengthen memory, and foster meaningful learning experiences for students.
Nick Coggins, Academic Dean of La Salle College High School in Wyndmoor, Pennsylvania, provided a practical introduction to the profession of teaching. Drawing on his experience as an educator and administrator, Coggins discussed hiring practices, résumés, interviews, lesson planning, classroom management, and professional growth. Through mock interviews and collaborative activities, participants gained firsthand experience in the skills and dispositions schools seek in future educators.
Participants also visited the Milken Center for Advancing the American Dream, where they encountered stories of leadership, innovation, and service from individuals who have made significant contributions to society. The experience challenged participants to reflect on their own aspirations and the ways they hope to contribute to their communities.
A highlight of the week was a panel discussion moderated by Br. Ernest J. Miller, FSC. The panel featured Dr. Alex Walton of Mercy High School in Burlingame, California; Dan Kuzma of Morgan Park High School in Chicago, Illinois; Terry Fitzgibbons of Passaic Academy for Science and Engineering in Passaic, New Jersey; and Justin Martineau, Associate Director of Mission and Ministry for the Lasallian District of Eastern North America.
Panelists reflected on their personal and professional journeys, sharing the experiences, mentors, and moments that led them into education. Their stories highlighted the importance of accompaniment, community, and a commitment to helping young people discover their gifts and potential. Participants were encouraged to view teaching not simply as a career, but as an opportunity to influence lives and contribute to the common good.
The Institute also included a visit to San Miguel School in Washington, D.C., where participants learned about the school’s mission and educational model. Conversations with educators and school leaders provided insight into the realities and rewards of serving students through a Lasallian educational framework.
On Tuesday evening, participants attended Choral Evensong at the Washington National Cathedral before gathering for dinner and conversation at Busboys and Poets. These experiences offered opportunities for reflection, community-building, and engagement with the cultural life of the nation’s capital.
On Wednesday, Dr. Kerri Mulqueen, Chair of the Department of Education at Manhattan University, led participants through discussions examining the diverse landscape of American education and the role of equity in the classroom. Through sessions on the different types of schools and the meaning of equity through a Lasallian lens, participants explored how educators create learning environments where all students feel welcomed, supported, and empowered to succeed.
Participants also heard from Br. Dylan Perry, FSC, principal of De La Salle Blackfeet School in Browning, Montana. Reflecting on his own vocational journey, Br. Dylan shared how experiences in service, community, and education led him to religious life and educational ministry. Drawing from his work on the Blackfeet Reservation, he emphasized the transformative power of education to strengthen individuals, families, and communities while offering hope and opportunity to future generations.
Beyond the classroom sessions, participants experienced Washington, D.C. through visits to educational, civic, and cultural institutions. A tour of the United States Capitol and time spent exploring Capitol Hill provided participants with opportunities to learn more about the nation’s history, government, and public life.
The Institute concluded at St. John’s College High School with opportunities for evaluation, reflection, and conversation with school leaders Ian MacInnes, principal, and Abby Michels, director of mission and ministry. Participants were invited to consider how the lessons, experiences, and relationships formed throughout the week might inform their own future paths in education and service.
Throughout the week, participants examined not only what teachers do, but also why they teach. Through encounters with educators, Brothers, and fellow participants, they discovered that teaching is both a profession and a vocation rooted in relationships, service, and a belief in the potential of every young person.
The Adrien Nyel Institute continues to serve as a key initiative of the Adrien Nyel Project, which seeks to animate and promote the vocation of teaching among young people. By connecting participants with educators, schools, and the broader Lasallian mission, the Institute provides a space for reflection, discernment, and discovery for those interested in making a difference through education.
As participants concluded the week, they returned home with new friendships, deeper insights into the teaching profession, and a renewed appreciation for the lasting impact educators can have on individuals, families, and communities.
The accompanying video captures highlights from the week and features participant reflections on community, vocation, and the impact of the Adrien Nyel Institute. Click the button below to watch.
