Hillsdale College Classical Education Podcast

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A 20-minute podcast featuring professors, K-12 teachers, and friends of Hillsdale College, all speaking about classical education—what it is, why it’s still relevant today, and what makes it unique. Hosted by Scot Bertram.

Hillsdale College Classical Education Podcast


    • Nov 7, 2022 LATEST EPISODE
    • weekly NEW EPISODES
    • 19m AVG DURATION
    • 210 EPISODES

    4.9 from 42 ratings Listeners of Hillsdale College Classical Education Podcast that love the show mention: hillsdale.



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    Latest episodes from Hillsdale College Classical Education Podcast

    Petrarch & Renaissance Education: Part 2

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 7, 2022 20:58


    Matt Gaetano, Associate Professor of History at Hillsdale College, returns to talk with host Scot Bertram about how Petrarch inspired schools in his time and his influence on Renaissance education.

    Petrarch & Renaissance Education: Part 1

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 31, 2022 16:29


    Matt Gaetano, Associate Professor of History at Hillsdale College, talks with host Scot Bertram about the life and teachings of Petrarch, his influence during the Renaissance, and where we see his influence present today.

    Sarah Kiesewetter: Work/Life Balance for Teachers

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 24, 2022 18:45


    Sarah Kiesewetter, Dean of Grammar School at Golden View Classical Academy in Golden (Colo.), joins host Scot Bertram to discuss how to maintain a work/life balance for teachers, how priorities can shift over time, and how to use breaks wisely.

    Epic Poems Series: Aeneid

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 17, 2022 21:26


    Ellen Condict, Upper School Literature Teacher at Hillsdale Academy and Adjunct Professor of English and Education at Hillsdale College, joins host Scot Bertram as part of our "Epic Poems" series. Condict discusses AENEID.

    Dan Coupland: Tried and True Pedagogy

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 10, 2022 25:18


    Dan Coupland, Chairman of Education, Dean of the Graduate School of Classical Education, and Professor of Education at Hillsdale College, joins host Scot Bertram to discuss his new book TRIED AND TRUE: A PRIMER ON SOUND PEDAGOGY.

    David Whalen: Why Read Beatrix Potter?

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 3, 2022 19:50


    David Whalen, Associate Vice President for Curriculum and Professor of English at Hillsdale College, joins host Scot Bertram to discuss the children's author Beatrix Potter, explain what makes her works unique, and why the illustrations in her books are so important.

    Tara Hollis: Joy in the Classroom

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 26, 2022 19:56


    Tara Hollis. First Grade Teacher at Founders Classical Academy in Leander (Texas), joins host Scot Bertram to discuss the difference between joy and wonder in the classroom, how to balance order and joy, and what students should take away from school on a daily basis.

    Ali Pries: Classical Education for Young Children

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 19, 2022 22:16


    Ali Pries, Fourth Grade Teacher at Golden View Classical Academy in Golden (Colo.) and Master Teacher with the Hillsdale College K-12 Network, joins host Scot Bertram to discuss classical education for the younger grades, how work here prepares students for upper grades, and the role of song and play in these grammar school years.

    Ben Beier: Why Read Mother Goose

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 12, 2022 20:51


    Benjamin Beier, Associate Professor of Education at Hillsdale College, joins host Scot Bertram to discuss nursey rhymes, what these poems generally are designed to do, and how to introduce them to children.

    Nathan McClallen: Every Student an Athlete

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 5, 2022 15:38


    Nathan McClallen, Athletic Director and Lead P.E. Teacher at Valor Public Charter Schools of Austin (Texas), joins host Scot Bertram to discuss why all students should see themselves as athletes, changing a student's mindset to see that everyone has athletic potential, and motivating students to be the best athlete they can be.

    David Withun: The Leader's Perspective on Opening a New School

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 29, 2022 25:55


    David Withun, Head of School at Jacksonville Classical Academy in Jacksonville (Fla.), joins host Scot Bertram to discuss the responsibilities of a head of school prior to opening, establishing the school culture that you want among your student body, and educating informing parents about what they should expect at your school.

    Ian Atherton: Bringing Students to Care About Great Books

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 22, 2022 18:05


    Ian Atherton, Upper School Humanities Teacher at Golden View Classical Academy in Golden (Colo.), joins host Scot Bertram to discuss how to cultivate a taste for great books in students, what a grading system should look like for literature course, and how to convince students to offer opinions and take part in conversations in class.

    Sean Maltbie: The State of Catholic Education Today

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 15, 2022 23:45


    Sean Maltbie, Headmaster at Sacred Heart Academy in Grand Rapids (Mich.) joins host Scot Bertram to discuss the arc of Catholic education in America and what is necessary for the rebirth of Catholic classical education in the country.

    Zach Good: The Moral Imagination and Teaching Right from Wrong

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 8, 2022 19:12


    Zach Good, Dean of Faculty and Curriculum at Sacred Heart Academy in Grand Rapids (Mich.) joins host Scot Bertram to define what we mean by "moral imagination," why fairy tales are good teachers, and the desire for learning about truth in the world.

    Dani Almeyda: Movement and the Brain

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 1, 2022 22:07


    Dani Almeyda, owner of Original Strength, joins host Scot Bertram to talk about movement and the brain, the relationship between physical ability and mental ability, and how movements can be implemented in P.E. classes.

    Matt Nolan: The Life of a New Teacher

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 25, 2022 21:36


    Matt Nolan is entering his fourth year of teaching overall and his first at Hillsdale Academy, where he'll be teaching sixth grade. He joins host Scot Bertram to talk about how a first year teacher should begin their approach to teaching, learning from those teachers around you, and defining professionalism for a new teacher.

    Epic Poems Series: Beowulf

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 18, 2022 24:55


    Brandon Muri, Upper School Literature Teacher at Lake Country Classical Academy in Oconomowoc (Wisc.), joins host Scot Bertram as part of our "Epic Poems" series. Muri discusses BEOWOLF.

    Eric Coykendall: Hillsdale Resources for K-12 Education

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 11, 2022 14:51


    Eric Coykendall, Director of Operations for Hillsdale K-12 Education, joins host Scot Bertram to talk about what support is available for Hillsdale K-12 member schools, opportunities to license the Hillsdale K-12 curriculum, and online resources that are available.

    Jordan Adams: 1776 Curriculum Update

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 4, 2022 24:11


    Jordan Adams, Civic Education Specialist at Hillsdale College K-12 Education, talks with host Scot Bertram about the one-year anniversary of the release of the 1776 Curriculum, responds to critiques, and shares results from a recent study of civics curriculums.

    Jed Hartings: Founding a Hillsdale K-12 School

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 27, 2022 18:39


    Jed Hartings, board president of Cincinnati Classical Academy in Cincinnati (Ohio), joins host Scot Bertram to talk about what it's like to found a Hillsdale K-12 school, how to recruit others to join the effort, and the tough search to find the right school leader.

    Education in Colonial America: The Puritans

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 20, 2022 13:36


    Miles Smith, Lecturer in History at Hillsdale College, joins host Scot Bertram to talk about the Puritan ideas on education, the role of the teacher in the classroom, and how the Puritan system treated young females.

    Kat Powers: Classical Special Education

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 13, 2022 16:24


    Katrina Powers, Special Education Consultant with Hillsdale K-12 , joins host Scot Bertram to talk about why classical education is appropriate for special education students, teamwork between the special education teacher and the classroom teacher, and how to measure success as a special education teacher.

    Eric Coykendall: Opening a Hillsdale K-12 School

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 6, 2022 19:15


    Eric Coykendall, Director of Operations for Hillsdale K-12 Education, joins host Scot Bertram to talk about the steps needed to open a Hillsdale K-12 classical school, the differences in starting a charter school and a private school, and a timeline for such an effort.

    Gary Hartenburg: Aristotle's Philosophy of Education

    Play Episode Listen Later May 30, 2022 25:38


    Gary Hartenburg, Associate Professor of Philosophy and Director of the Honors College at Houston Baptist University and author of the recent book, ARISTOTLE: EDUCATION FOR VIRTUE AND LEISURE, joins host Scot Bertram to discuss Aristotle's goal of education, incorporating Aristotle's virtues into curriculum, and the role of pleasure and pain in education.

    Ages & Stages: Twelfth Grade Curriculum

    Play Episode Listen Later May 26, 2022 23:56


    Kathleen O'Toole, Assistant Provost for K-12 Education at Hillsdale College, talks with host Scot Bertram about twelfth grade curriculum, what's included in this full year on American government and politics, and expectations for a senior thesis.

    Ages & Stages: Teaching Twelfth Grade

    Play Episode Listen Later May 23, 2022 25:54


    Brandon Muri, Upper School Teacher at Lake Country Classical Academy in Oconomowoc (Wisc.) talks with host Scot Bertram about teaching twelfth grade, the battle against Senioritis, and study skills students can take to college.

    Brad Richardson: Epics -- How and Why to Teach the Odyssey

    Play Episode Listen Later May 16, 2022 18:25


    Brad Richardson, Upper School Literature Teacher at Ascent Classical Academy of Douglas County (Colo.), joins host Scot Bertram to talk about teaching the Odyssey, how students react to themes in the work, and what readers tend to miss.

    Ages & Stages: Eleventh Grade Curriculum

    Play Episode Listen Later May 12, 2022 19:38


    Michael Berndt, Academic Dean & Astronomy and Philosophy Teacher at Founders Classical Academy of Leander (Texas), talks with host Scot Bertram about eleventh grade curriculum, how students approach great novels, and how to manage distractions and maintain student focus.

    Leading Figures in Education: William Shakespeare

    Play Episode Listen Later May 9, 2022 25:39


    Ben Beier, Associate Professor of Education at Hillsdale College, joins host Scot Bertram to discuss the thinking and teaching of William Shakespeare.

    Ages & Stages: Teaching Eleventh Grade

    Play Episode Listen Later May 5, 2022 16:17


    Ian Atherton, Literature Teacher at Golden View Classical Academy in Golden (Colo.), talks with host Scot Bertram about teaching eleventh grade, the maturity level of students in this grade, and how appreciation for literature develops.

    Leading Figures in Education: Henry Adams

    Play Episode Listen Later May 2, 2022 21:12


    Catherine Kuiper, Assistant Professor of Education at Hillsdale College, joins host Scot Bertram to discuss the thinking and teaching of Henry Adams.

    Ages & Stages: Tenth Grade Curriculum

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 28, 2022 26:00


    Kim Walley, Upper School Teacher at Founders Classical Academy of Leander (Texas) and Serena Warnky, Upper School Teacher at Founders Classical Academy of Lewisville (Texas), talk with host Scot Bertram about tenth grade curriculum, which type of students begin to show interest in chemistry, and pedagogical practices a teacher can employ to effectively teach students through this year.

    Leading Figures in Education: John Senior (Part II)

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 25, 2022 26:14


    David Whalen, Associate Vice President for Curriculum and Professor of English at Hillsdale College, joins host Scot Bertram to continue his discussion on the thinking and teaching of John Senior.

    Ages & Stages: Teaching Tenth Grade

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 21, 2022 17:42


    Mike Roberts, Assistant Headmaster, Athletic Director and 10th Grade History Teacher at Hillsdale Academy in Hillsdale (Mich.), talks with host Scot Bertram about teaching tenth grade, getting students focused inside the classroom, and what topics engage students at this age.

    Leading Figures In Education: John Senior

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 18, 2022 21:22


    David Whalen, Associate Vice President for Curriculum and Professor of English at Hillsdale College, joins host Scot Bertram to discuss the thinking and teaching of John Senior.

    Ages & Stages: Ninth Grade Curriculum

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 14, 2022 26:56


    Jonathan Rogers and Catherine Rogers, Ninth Grade Teachers at Founders Classical Academy in Lewisville (Texas), talk with host Scot Bertram about ninth grade curriculum, how the literature curriculum aligns with the history curriculum, and expectations in moving from eighth grade to ninth grade.

    Conor Hill: Education Begins with Wonder

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 11, 2022 20:22


    Conor Hill, Headmaster at Valor North Austin (Texas), joins host Scot Bertram to talk about what we mean by "wonder" in a classroom setting, how to encourage students to be filled with wonder, and how wonder draws students closer toward the good, the true and the beautiful.

    Katy O'Toole: What is American Classical Education?

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 4, 2022 23:41


    Katy O'Toole, Assistant Provost for K-12 Education at Hillsdale College, joins host Scot Bertram to talk about what we mean by politics in an educational setting, making sure our children become good citizens, and how the curriculum in classical education relates back to civic education.

    Ages & Stages: Teaching Ninth Grade

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 31, 2022 21:23


    Jonathan Rogers, a Ninth and Tenth Teacher at Founders Classical Academy in Lewisville (Texas), talks with host Scot Bertram about teaching ninth grade, the transition from eighth grade to high school, and adult-level questions that begin around this time.

    Beautiful Schools: Architecture and Classical Education

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 28, 2022 21:33


    Michael Rose, Headmaster at Cincinnati Classical Academy in Cincinnati (Ohio), joins host Scot Bertram to talk about the purpose of school architecture, how architecture can help meet the goals of classical education, and ways to overcome obstacles in the way of beautiful schools.

    Ages & Stages: Eighth Grade Curriculum

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 24, 2022 18:04


    Jordan Adams, Civic Education Specialist at Hillsdale College K-12 Education, and Cris Chacon, Physics and Algebra teacher at Golden View Classical Academy in Golden (Colo.), talk with host Scot Bertram about curriculum in the eighth classroom, topics that tend to engage students, and the role parents can play in education.

    Josh Andrew: School Culture and Academic Life

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 21, 2022 16:48


    Josh Andrew, Upper School Principal at Atlanta Classical Academy in Atlanta, joins host Scot Bertram to talk about where we see school culture begin, the role teachers play in setting, creating, and maintaining school culture, and advice for schools looking to change their culture.

    Ages & Stages: Teaching Eighth Grade

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 17, 2022 14:08


    Cris Chacon, Eighth Grade Teacher at Golden View Classical Academy in Golden (Colo.) talks with host Scot Bertram about teaching eighth grade, serious questions that are on the minds of students at this age, and disciplinary issues and behavior changes that pop up.

    Stephen Shipp: Obstacles to Local Control of Education

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 14, 2022 20:24


    Stephen Shipp, Headmaster at Seven Oaks Classical School in Ellettsville (Ind.), joins host Scot Bertram to talk about school choice, teacher certification, and local control of education.

    Ages & Stages: Seventh Grade Curriculum

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 10, 2022 25:31


    Ian Nugent, a teacher and Dean of Students at Treasure Valley Classical Academy in Fruitland (Idaho), and Marc Uthiem, science teacher at Founders Classical Academy of Leander (Texas), talk with host Scot Bertram about curriculum in the seventh grade classroom, highlights from history and science classes, and tips for parents of students a t this age.

    Steve Lambert: Classical Education in Rural America

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 7, 2022 17:35


    Stephen Lambert, Headmaster at Treasure Valley Classical Academy in Fruitland (Idaho), joins host Scot Bertram to talk about classical education in rural America, how his school serves the community, and how athletics help to build a culture.

    Ages & Stages: Teaching Seventh Grade

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 3, 2022 24:01


    Ian Nugent, a teacher and Dean of Students at Treasure Valley Classical Academy in Fruitland (Idaho), talks with host Scot Bertram about teaching seventh grade, what seventh graders want from their teacher, and how the improve the study habits of students.

    Julianne Hillock: Classical P.E. at Hozho Academy

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 28, 2022 16:41


    Julianne Hillock, Principal at Hozho Academy in Gallup (N.M.), joins host Scot Bertram to discuss the school's updated and revamped classical physical education program.

    Ages & Stages: Sixth Grade Curriculum

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 24, 2022 21:25


    Zach Dombrowski, a former sixth-grade teacher and now an upper school teacher at Golden View Classical Academy in Golden (Colo.), and Molly Dombrowski, a current sixth grade teacher at Golden View, talk with host Scot Bertram about curriculum in the sixth grade classroom, highlights from history class, and helping students through the year.

    Michael Berndt: Astronomy and Senior Thesis

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 21, 2022 16:14


    Michael Berndt, Academic Dean at Founders Classical Academy of Leander (Tex.), talks with host Scot Bertram to share insights into planning for astronomy class, the first year of teaching in a classical school, the senior thesis, and more!

    Ages & Stages: Teaching Sixth Grade

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 17, 2022 17:47


    Anne Hutchinson, a Sixth Grade Teacher at Estancia Valley Classical Academy in Edgewood (N.M.), talks with host Scot Bertram about teaching sixth grade, how her students interact with each other, and what parts of the curriculum students really enjoy.

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