Founded in 1956 by Father Faure, the Lebanese Institute of Educators (ILE) was affiliated with the Faculty of Letters and Human Sciences in 1978 and later with the Faculty of Education in 2005. Since its foundation, it has offered training in preschool and primary education, and, since 1983, it has also specialized in orthopedagogy. Today, it offers both initial teacher training and graduate programs, including a Master in Preschool and Primary Education - Pedagogical Remediation and Supervision, and a Master in Special Education (Orthopedagogy). The Institute expanded to the North Lebanon Campus in 1995 and to the South Lebanon Campus in 2024. It has become a hub for lifelong learning for alumni, professionals, and field practitioners. As research remains a core priority, the Institute continues to advance its expertise in preschool and primary education and orthopedagogy, while generating new tools and knowledge for the field.

Since its creation, ILE has continuously evolved, and updated its approach. Grounded in the principles of personalized and community-based pedagogy, supported by values deeply embedded in professional practices, ILE has become a reference point and a model for many schools adopting this pedagogical approach.

Over the years, its training programs have been revised to keep pace with a profession in constant transformation. These programs have gradually adapted to university standards while maintaining strong ties to the field, effectively combining theory and practice. Despite these adjustments, ILE has remained true to its values, renewing itself without compromising its pedagogical identity—a pedagogy that fosters personal growth, autonomy, creativity, academic success, innovation, and civic and community engagement.

This pedagogy places students at its center, focusing on their personal and professional development while instilling values essential to the teaching profession. This vision lies at the heart of ILE’s mission in teaching, research, and personal development.

Rooted in the principle of diversity, ILE offers personalized learning paths and a wide range of tools and frameworks that allow each student to progress at their own pace and to build their identity: contractual pedagogy, academic and peer tutoring, diverse active teaching methods, formative and criteria-based assessment, self-assessment, clearly stated expectations, and opportunities to strengthen civic engagement and personal and professional development. Internships further embody these principles in practice, particularly in response to the growing diversity of learner needs.

Ultimately, ILE’s pedagogy is inseparable from the attitudes of its educators, as it is deeply rooted in them and, in turn, influences the way they teach. It is also tied to a rigor grounded in an unwavering ethical commitment. Its goal remains the embodiment of ILE values through professional practice. In this context, educational relationships are a constant challenge, requiring a balance between freedom, critical thinking, autonomy, and structural constraints.