Hillsdale College K-12 Classical Education Podcast

Kathleen O’Toole, associate vice president for K-12 Education at Hillsdale College, is joined by Robert Pondiscio to discuss a recent essay he wrote on how educators should emphasize resiliency and hope in the classroom. Robert Pondiscio is a senior fellow at the American Enterprise Institute (AEI) and an affiliate of AEI’s James Q. Wilson Program in K–12 Education Studies, where...

Julie Apel, assistant headmaster at Hillsdale Academy in Hillsdale, Michigan, joins host Scot Bertram to discuss what makes classical education different, why there is a renewed interest in classical education, and what students can expect to learn in a classical classroom. Learn more: https://k12.hillsdale.edu/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Abigail Teska, lower and upper school art teacher at Seven Oaks Classical School in Ellettsville, Indiana, joins host Scot Bertram to discuss using narration to help students understand artistic concepts, how to help students understand a work of art, and what narration activities students respond to the best. Learn more: https://k12.hillsdale.edu/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy informati...

Jennifer Jackett, a fifth grade teacher at Seven Oaks Classical School in Ellettsville, Indiana, and Julia McNeely, director of Title I at Seven Oaks Classical School, join host Scot Bertram to discuss the  Institute for Excellence in Writing curriculum , principles for better writing, and how writing helps students succeed throughout a school's curriculum. Learn more: https://k12.hillsdale.e...

Ben Payne, director of leader support for Hillsdale College's K-12 Education Office, joins host Scot Bertram to discuss helping students build emotional durability, focusing on developing virtue over value, and the essential principles when helping students to reframe their attitudes. Learn more: https://k12.hillsdale.edu/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Kathleen O’Toole, associate vice president for K-12 Education at Hillsdale College, is joined by Christopher Nadon to discuss a recent essay he wrote on how educators are failing their students by embracing the importance of “lived experience.” Christopher Nadon (B.A., M.A., Ph. D., University of Chicago) has taught political philosophy and humanities at Emet Classical Acade...

Stephen Cox, a founding board member of  Thomas More Classical School  in Anchorage, Alaska, joins host Scot Bertram to discuss his role in starting a classical school in Alaska, the decision to make Thomas More Classical School a private institution, and the process of becoming a Hillsdale College K-12 Education partner school. Learn more: https://k12.hillsdale.edu/ See omnystudio.com/l...

Gabrielle Lewis, a teacher support lead and Core Virtues director at Hillsdale College’s K-12 Office, joins host Scot Bertram to discuss the relaunched Core Virtues program, cultivating the moral imagination through stories, and how schools can utilize the Core Virtues program. Learn more: https://k12.hillsdale.edu/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Justin Jackson, English professor and Edrie Seward Kennedy Chair in English at Hillsdale College, joins host Scot Bertram to discuss his upcoming co-authored book on teaching students the elements of analysis, the art of close analysis, and what texts teachers should use to teach close analysis. Learn more: https://k12.hillsdale.edu/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Benedict Whalen, associate professor of English at Hillsdale College, joins host Scot Bertram to discuss why short stories are worth studying, how to prepare your class to learn from a short story, and why reading short stories out loud can help your students better understand them. Learn more: https://k12.hillsdale.edu/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jenny Pridgeon, director of field recruitment for the Admissions Office at Hillsdale College, joins host Scot Bertram to discuss the art of writing a memorable letter of recommendation, how to stand out from other college applicants, and activities that students should include on their high school resume. Learn more: https://k12.hillsdale.edu/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jason Lund, upper school humanities teacher and senior thesis coordinator at Treasure Valley Classical Academy in Fruitland, Idaho, joins host Scot Bertram to discuss the least interesting parts of great books, how Homer's list of ships in The Iliad relates to the poem's themes, and the importance of the extracts in Melville's Moby Dick . Learn more: https://k12.hillsdale.edu/ See omnystudio.com/l...

Daniel Higgins, one of the founders of the Self Authoring and Understand Myself programs, joins Kathleen O’Toole, associate vice president for K-12 Education at Hillsdale College, to discuss the Self Authoring Suite, how students can benefit from the "Future Authoring" process, and the nuances of Aristotle and Plato. Learn more: https://k12.hillsdale.edu/ See omnystudio.com/listener for priv...

Vincent Kane, head of school at Idaho Novus Classical Academy in Boise, Idaho, delivers a lecture on how classical education helps bolster Western Civilization. This lecture was given at the  Hoogland Center for Teacher Excellence  seminar, “The Art of Teaching: Western Civilization” in April 2025. The Hoogland Center for Teacher Excellence, an outreach of the Hillsdale Colle...

Colin Mullaney, director of operations at Hillsdale College’s K-12 Education Office, joins host Scot Bertram to discuss Dr. Kevin Majeres’  OptimalWork platform , how to apply OptimalWork in the classroom, and how to help students bring their highest ideals into each day. Learn more: https://k12.hillsdale.edu/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy i...

Michael Rose, headmaster and superintendent at Cincinnati Classical Academy in Cincinnati, Ohio, delivers a lecture on the rewarding life of a classical school leader. This lecture was given at the Hoogland Center for Teacher Excellence seminar, “The Art of Teaching: Reading and Writing” in March 2025. The Hoogland Center for Teacher Excellence, an outreach of the Hillsdale College K-1...

Andrew Russell, associate professor of biology at Hillsdale College, joins host Scot Bertram to discuss developing research in anti-aging methods, the importance of diet and exercise, and the ethics of extended lifespans. Learn more: https://k12.hillsdale.edu/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Semi Park, headmaster at Orange County Classical Academy in Orange County, California, delivers a lecture on how to lead students to truly pursue happiness. This lecture was given at the  Hoogland Center for Teacher Excellence  seminar, “The Art of Teaching: Upper School Literature” in February 2025. The Hoogland Center for Teacher Excellence, an outreach of the Hillsdale Col...

Monica Dix, art teacher at Naples Classical Academy in Naples, Florida, joins host Scot Bertram to discuss developing a student's aesthetic sensibilities, teaching Renaissance art, and whether or not artistic students should attend art school. Learn more: https://k12.hillsdale.edu/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Kelly Gunter, director of school operations at Pineapple Cove Classical Academy in Brevard County, Florida, delivers a lecture on instilling good habits in a student body. This lecture was given at the  Hoogland Center for Teacher Excellence  seminar, “The Art of Teaching: American History” in January 2025. The Hoogland Center for Teacher Excellence, an outreac...

Julian Peterson, son of bestselling author and clinical psychologist Jordan Peterson, joins Kathleen O’Toole, associate vice president for K-12 Education at Hillsdale College, to discuss his new digital writing tool  Essay.app , constructing an argument, and the importance of learning the art of writing. Learn more: https://k12.hillsdale.edu/ See omnystudio.com/listener f...

Margaret Hagedorn, head principal at Lake Country Classical Academy in Oconomowoc, Wisconsin, delivers a lecture on how leadership helps build a healthy school culture. This lecture was given at the  Hoogland Center for Teacher Excellence  seminar, “The Art of Teaching: The Sciences” in November 2024. The Hoogland Center for Teacher Excellence, an outreach of the Hillsdale Co...

Joshua Andrew, Head of School at Atlanta Classical Academy in Atlanta, Georgia, delivers a lecture on the joys and difficulties of leading a classical school. This lecture was given at the  Hoogland Center for Teacher Excellence seminar, “The Art of Teaching: Mathematics” in October 2024. The Hoogland Center for Teacher Excellence, an outreach of the Hillsdale College K-12 Educati...

Megan Wagner, college counselor at Lake Country Classical Academy in Oconomowoc, Wisconsin, joins host Scot Bertram to discuss what parents and teachers should know about college applications, how to tell if a college is right for you, and the kind of activities that college admissions boards look for in students. Learn more: https://k12.hillsdale.edu/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy infor...

Zak Dombrowski, upper school humanities teacher at Golden View Classical Academy in Golden, Colorado, joins host Scot Bertram to discuss how teachers can help students celebrate Constitution Day, where to find resources for civic education, and how the Declaration of Independence informs the Constitution. Learn more: https://k12.hillsdale.edu/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.