Andrés Manjón: Biography, Pedagogy, and Legacy

Andrés Manjón: A Visionary Educator

ANDRÉS MANJÓN

Biography

Born in Burgos on November 30, 1846, Andrés Manjón was educated by his uncle. His mother persuaded him to attend school and receive a basic education. He later moved to the University of Granada, where he lived the rest of his days. There, he founded the first Ave Maria School and began his revolutionary approach to teaching methods. Throughout his life, he opened about 400 Ave Maria Schools.

Historical Context

In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, four key developments shaped pedagogy in Europe:

• The rise of the active school movement
• Trends toward improved civic education
• Increased protection of youth
• The emergence of novel educational movements

There was a significant transformation in civic education during this period. The State became increasingly concerned about the well-being of young people and provided military protection during the First World War.

Pedagogical Thought

To understand Manjón's educational philosophy, it is essential to analyze his speech delivered at the opening of the 1897-1898 academic year at the University of Granada. In this address, he outlines his pedagogical thinking and critiques the Spanish educational reality of his time. His critique encompasses all stages of education: primary school, high school, and university. According to José Montero Vives, Manjón's concept of education rests on three pillars:

1. Personal development
2. Social dimension
3. Transcendental dimension

Major Works

• Leaves and Teachings of the Evangelical Ave Maria: A theology of education based on the Sunday gospels.
• The Ideal Teacher: A summary of the previous book.
• Looking into the Master: Considered his masterpiece, this work portrays the teacher as a beacon of virtue and a trainer of individuals aware of their duties.
• Looking out the Master: His posthumous work, complementing the two previous books.
• Ave Maria Historical Leaf: An engaging book detailing the founding of the Ave Maria Schools, with insightful social and educational observations.

Influences and Implications

Manjón's pedagogy brought a breath of modernity to Spanish religious educational centers during the first half of the 20th century. For Manjón, education and religion were inseparable, as the school had an entirely religious purpose. His teaching and pedagogical methods emerged as a solution to numerous problems in education, exacerbated by the prevailing social conditions. Manjón's work is recognized by society as a cornerstone of an educational system aimed at serving marginalized social classes while nurturing spiritual and moral development.