PCR Podcast Episode 20: An Introduction to Classical Education

Every year at my school I give a talk introducing the concepts of Classical Education. Last year (2015) I recorded it and I offer it here now, both as something people would generally be interested in, but also a resource to the parents of my school. I plan to do the talk a little differently this year, so let this stand as a record of the old talk. My school, by the way, is Aletheia Christian School in Peoria Illinois (www.peoriaclassical.org). You can reach us at info@peoriaclassical.org or 309-635-9809.

Subscribe to the podcast on itunes 
Check out the podcast page to subscribe on Stitcher, Tunein, and PocketCasts.

Past Podcast Episodes on Classical Education:
Episode 17: Douglas Wilson (pastor, educator, one of the founders of the Classical Education movement
Episode 18: Nathan Carr (Headmaster, Priest, & Preschooler at Heart)

My Favorite Quotes From the ACCS Conference About Classical Education

A few weeks ago I attended the Association of Classical and Christian Schools national conference "Repairing the Ruins."

Here are my favorite quotes from the conference—the thoughts that challenged me, inspired me, and got me to think about what I do as an educator differently or on a deeper level. Also included are quotes from 2 of the teachers in my school who attended the conference with me.

PCR Podcast Episode 18: Nathan Carr—Headmaster, Priest, & Preschooler at Heart

Fr. Nathan Carr is our guest today. He is the headmaster at The Academy of Classical Christian studies and vicar of St. James' Episcopal Church, both in Oklahoma City. We discuss the tensions of leadership, building wonder into a preschool program, and how to get 3 year olds to walk in line. We did our interview after a workshop he had just given at the Association of Classical & Christian Schools annual conference. 

For those interested, here are my recaps of the ACCS conference:
ACCS Conference Day 1
ACCS Conference Day 2

Subscribe to the podcast on itunes 
Check out the podcast page to subscribe on Stitcher, Tunein, and PocketCasts.
______________________
Past Podcast Episodes:

Episode 06: Mike Condo of Superfan Vinyl on the release of DC Talk's Jesus Freak 
Episode 07: Pastor Luke Edwards on "why churches should stop giving stuff away"

Episode 08: Dr. Jeremiah Gibbs on Postmodern Apologetics

Episode 09: Caleb J. Kruse on Meeting Rich Mullins

Episode 10: David Leo Schultz Director of Brennan
Episode 11: Thom Blair on the Hebrew English Interlinear O.T. and Logos Bible Software

Episode 12: Dialogues With Brandon: Archer and The Walking Dead
Episode 13: Artist Jessica Ball—Owner of the Art Garage
Episode 14: Radiohead Fan Expectations With Ryan Hansen
Episode 15: Mike Foster Tolkien Scholar and Author
Episode 16: Dialogues With Brandon: How Big Is Your Soul?
Episode 17: Douglas Wilson
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Articles on Classical Education:
Introducing Classical Education
3 Great Challenges Facing Classical Education as a Movement

Teacher's Conference Introduction

Teacher's Conference Day 1

Teacher's Conference Day 2

Teacher's Conference Day 3

Teacher Training: Questions and Reflections

PCR Podcast Episode 17: Douglas Wilson: Pastor, Author, Classical Educator, and Always Ready For a Good Debate

Photo from www.christkirk.com

Douglas Wilson is a pastor, theologian, and proponent of Classical Education. He has authored numerous books on various subjects pertaining to matters of the Christian faith, education, and history. Visit Canon Press for a listing of many of his books or visit his blog, which he updates frequently. I spoke with Wilson last week from the Association of Classical and Christian Schools annual conference.

For those interested, here are my recaps of the ACCS conference:

ACCS Conference Day 1

ACCS Conference Day 2

Please check below for links to some of my own articles on Classical Education.
You can stream the podcast here:


Subscribe to the podcast on itunes 
Check out the podcast page to subscribe on Stitcher, Tunein, and PocketCasts.
______________________
Past Podcast Episodes:

Episode 06: Mike Condo of Superfan Vinyl on the release of DC Talk's Jesus Freak 
Episode 07: Pastor Luke Edwards on "why churches should stop giving stuff away"

Episode 08: Dr. Jeremiah Gibbs on Postmodern Apologetics

Episode 09: Caleb J. Kruse on Meeting Rich Mullins

Episode 10: David Leo Schultz Director of Brennan
Episode 11: Thom Blair on the Hebrew English Interlinear O.T. and Logos Bible Software

Episode 12: Dialogues With Brandon: Archer and The Walking Dead
Episode 13: Artist Jessica Ball—Owner of the Art Garage
Episode 14: Radiohead Fan Expectations With Ryan Hansen
Episode 15: Mike Foster Tolkien Scholar and Author
Episode 16: Dialogues With Brandon: How Big Is Your Soul?
______________________
Articles on Classical Education:
Introducing Classical Education
3 Great Challenges Facing Classical Education as a Movement

Teacher's Conference Introduction

Teacher's Conference Day 1

Teacher's Conference Day 2

Teacher's Conference Day 3

Teacher Training: Questions and Reflections

Association of Classical Christian Schools 2016 Conference Day 2

My second day at the ACCS conference was eventful. I was able to land an interview with Douglas Wilson. The reason I was able to land the interview? Well, he's a gracious person and was willing to give me a small chunk of his morning. And I also semi-stalked him through the hotel convention center and made sure I was able to shake his hand and talk with him. Expect the interview to be released on the podcast early next week. We had a good talk about his writing and work ethic, about being a "polemical" writer, and about why he's not Anglican (even if he is "high church" and "mid-to-high liturgy".

Wilson is a bit of a celebrity in our circles and can be a divisive figure (because he holds strong opinions and he lets people know about them). Quick bio: he's basically the main founder of Classical Education in America, he's the pastor of Christ Church in Moscow Idaho, and he's written enough books to use as bricks to build one of those tiny houses.

[UPDATE: you can now stream my interview with Wilson here]



To be honest, this second day (and last for us) was a bit of a blur for myself and Aletheia's teachers. Our brains are all a bit mushy at this point. The addresses and workshops were not hitting me as hard as yesterday. However, and if you are an Aletheia parent here is what you'll want to read, these are my takeaways from the conference:

Association of Classical Christian Schools 2016 Conference Day 1

As I write, myself and 3 teachers from the school I headmaster (Aletheia, www.peoriaclassical.org) are in Atlanta, Georgia at the Association of Classical Christian Schools' annual national conference, whose website is here: http://www.accsconference.org/

I brought with me Abbie Corey (Kindergarten), Gabi Michlik (2nd grade & art), and Heather Olsson (6th grade & music/choir).

This is the kind of magical place where you can meet and have a robust discussion with highly influential people in the Classical Education world and with the authors of various books. For example I was purchasing The Administrator's Handbook For Christian Schools when a gentlemen came up and asked me if I was a school administrator. I said "Yes I am," and the bookstore clerk running my credit card said "Oh, that's Dr. Stephenson—he wrote the book." After I bought my books I went over and had a nice 3 minute talk with him. 

It's blurry, but this is The Getty's performing.

But there are other famous people here as well. 

Vacation Recap and Why Snorkeling Sends Me Into a Panic Attack

Last week my wife and I got back from a much needed vacation. We have been married 10 years now and so we took it upon ourselves to get away from the kids, from all the pressures of life for a bit, and just relax...

Actually, my wife took it upon ourselves. She arranged for the whole trip and got a great deal on Groupon. We went to the Bahamas. I do not have any real desire to go to tropical places. There really is not really any for me. However, a place to relax is a place to relax.

The only relevant part of my trip for this blog is the reading I got done there.

Introducing Classical Education

Photo Courtesy of Casey M Photography http://www.caseymphoto.com/ and https://www.facebook.com/CaseyMphoto/

This week my school is putting on an open house. This is something private schools do every year for families who might be interested in enrolling their children. 

I will be speaking at the open house, sharing my thoughts on Classical Christian Education. While my talk will not be this long, here is everything I would say to someone who asks "What is Classical Education?" This is as concise of a general overview that I can give. 

What do we want for our kids?

It’s simple really. I’m sure we could all agree on a general list.

PostConsumer Culture Club #4—The Week of September 20-September 26

PostConsumer Culture Club: A list of everything we at PostConsumer Reports have been digesting this week, with brief commentary. Hopefully, we can culture something good in you. Happy PostConsuming!

Here is what we watched the week of September 20 through September 26.

PostConsumer Culture Club #3—The Week of September 13-September 19

PostConsumer Culture Club: A list of everything we at PostConsumer Reports have been digesting this week, with brief commentary. Hopefully, we can culture something good in you. Happy PostConsuming!

Here is what we watched the week of September 13 through September 19.

Saying Goodbye To Our Beloved Mrs. V...

I don’t usually share things of such a personal nature on this blog but his past week was the last week a good friend of mine taught at my school, Aletheia Christian School. Amy Van Ausdall is moving to Florida to be with her husband and I wanted to offer a place to commemorate her and all she’s done for the school, so that as many people could read it as possible. 

Why Study Literature? A concise answer

This year at the school where I am a headmaster I am teaching a combined history, literature, and writing class to Jr. High students. As an introduction to my students and parents I have composed a brief document explaining as simply as possible why we take the time to read "stories" in our school and am sharing it here in this space as well.

Introduction to Literature Class

Let me let you in on a little secret.

There are only a few things we try to accomplish in a literature class, only a few things that actually need to get done.

The Basic Principles of History

This year at the school where I am a headmaster I am teaching a combined history, literature, and writing class to Jr. High students. Over the past few months I have been compiling a number of what I would call "Principles of History" mostly out of my own contemplation but also stemming from my recent readings of history. My plan is to discuss these principles everyday with my class, giving them the basic list only and not the writing that goes with it. Each day I will let them pick the principle they are most curious about as a discussion starter. May they be an aid to starting your own discussions...

3 Great Challenges Facing Classical Education as a Movement

A couple of weeks ago, as I have been documenting on this blog, I went to Rockbridge Academy's annual teacher training. It was great. 
So. Much. To think about. 
So. Much. To do.

But the event stirred up a few thoughts in me, 3 especially that I want to relate here. 

Teacher Training: Questions and Reflections

Last week I found myself at the Rockbridge Academy annual teacher training in Annapolis (actually Millersville), Maryland. You can read my notes from each day here: Introduction, Day 1,

Day 2, Day 3, and Planning the First Weeks of School.

The training was excellent; an absolute glut of good info.

Whenever I go to an event like this where I receive lots of input I inevitably find myself spending a lot of time reacting to that input, asking questions and developing my own ideas, both critical and complimentary.

Teacher Training Conference Daily Blog: Day 3

So, I might be wearing down a bit because I didn't take as many notes yesterday (see the end of this article for links to my notes from the other days). I still sat in on some great lectures and have good bits to share.  Please note: this is the last day I'm attending the teacher training. Today needs to be a family day. However, I am planning on two followup posts containing some questions and observations, not necessarily on the event itself but on the topics presented at the training and on the general movement of Classical Education.

Teacher Training Conference Daily Blog: Day 2

This is day two of the Rockbridge Teacher Training. I have another 7 or so typed pages of notes, which I am condensing down for you.

Here are the talks I was challenged, inspired, convicted, and awed by today:

Lesson Planning at the Secondary Level

Overview of The 7 Laws of Teaching

The “Why, What, How, Where, When, and Who” of Music Education

The Imperative of Beauty and the Creative Call  

Sights and Sounds of the Grammar and Dialectic (Logic)
The First Two Weeks of Grammar

Planning the First Weeks of School: tips and guidelines

The talk I heard during today's teacher training at the Rockbridge Academy was so good and full of so much material I thought I'd share it here.

The talk was called "The First Two Weeks of Grammar School" by Roy Griffith, grammar school principle at Rockbridge.

The principles (no pun intended) he lays out here are especially useful for the grammar age (preschool-5th grade), but much of what he said can be applied to any classroom setting. For my school in particular (Aletheia Christian School) I am hoping this can be a resource for our teachers there.

Teacher Training Conference Daily Blog: Day 1

Well let me say this: there is entirely too much to report back on from my first day at the Rockbridge Academy Teacher Training. (please go here for my introduction to the training)

Teacher Training Conference Daily Blog: An Introduction

All this week I will be attending the Rockbridge Academy Teacher Training in Annapolis, Maryland and will be updating the blog everyday starting Tuesday with questions, observations, and the best quotes of the day from the sessions I have been in.