Hillsdale College K-12 Classical Education Podcast

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 College K-12 Education Office, offers educators the opportunity to deepen their content knowledge and refine their skills in the classroom.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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 information.

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-12 Education Office, offers educators the opportunity to deepen their content knowledge and refine their skills in the classroom.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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 College K-12 Education Office, offers educators the opportunity to deepen their content knowledge and refine their skills in the classroom.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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 outreach of the Hillsdale College K-12 Education Office, offers educators the opportunity to deepen their content knowledge and refine their skills in the classroom.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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 for privacy information.

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 College K-12 Education Office, offers educators the opportunity to deepen their content knowledge and refine their skills in the classroom.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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 Education Office, offers educators the opportunity to deepen their content knowledge and refine their skills in the classroom.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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 information.

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.

Stephen Shipp, headmaster at Seven Oaks Classical School in Ellettsville, Indiana, 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: Children's Literature” in September 2024. The Hoogland Center for Teacher Excellence, an outreach of the Hillsdale College K-12 Education Office, offers educators the opportunity to deepen their content knowledge and refine their skills in the classroom.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Allison Postell, assistant professor of philosophy at Hillsdale College, joins host Scot Bertram to discuss how we develop habits, the Aristotelian understanding of habit, and how to break bad habits. Learn more: https://k12.hillsdale.edu/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Kenneth Calvert, professor of history at Hillsdale College, delivers a lecture on the intellectual roots of 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 College K-12 Education Office, offers educators the opportunity to deepen their content knowledge and refine their skills in the classroom.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

David Yu, dean of students at Ascent Classical Academy of Northern Colorado in Windsor, Colorado, joins host Scot Bertram to discuss how mathematics helps students develop a moral compass, how to create a sense of wonder in the classroom, and how to prioritize the Good, True, and Beautiful in education. Learn more: https://k12.hillsdale.edu/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Karissa Moschel, 4th grade teacher at Seven Oaks Classical School in Ellettsville, Indiana, delivers a lecture on the importance of high-quality literature in elementary education. This lecture was given at the Hoogland Center for Teacher Excellence seminar, “The Art of Teaching: Children's Literature” in September 2024. The Hoogland Center for Teacher Excellence, an outreach of the Hillsdale College K-12 Education Office, offers educators the opportunity to deepen their content knowledge and refine their skills in the classroom.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jenny Mulvey, fourth grade teacher at Golden View Classical Academy in Golden, Colorado, joins host Scot Bertram to discuss maintaining a rich and well-ordered classroom, engaging students in their work, and setting up your classroom to prevent needless distraction. Learn more: https://k12.hillsdale.edu/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Steven Battaglia, history and Latin teacher and assistant headmaster of the Upper School at Seven Oaks Classical School in Ellettsville, Indiana, delivers a lecture on how to teach American history to upper school students. 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 outreach of the Hillsdale College K-12 Education Office, offers educators the opportunity to deepen their content knowledge and refine their skills in the classroom.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ian Nugent, assistant principal and philosophy teacher at Atlanta Classical Academy in Atlanta, Georgia, and Aaron Schepps, upper school principal and literature teacher at Atlanta Classical Academy in Atlanta, Georgia, join host Scot Bertram to discuss how to build mission-driven extracurricular for students, how to gauge the success of extracurricular activities, and some activities that schools can implement. Learn more: https://k12.hillsdale.edu/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Claire Marie Huff, science department chair and upper school dean of students for girls at Atlanta Classical Academy in Atlanta, Georgia, delivers a lecture on how to use labs to enhance upper school education. 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 College K-12 Education Office, offers educators the opportunity to deepen their content knowledge and refine their skills in the classroom.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Kimberly Miller, librarian at Hillsdale Academy in Hillsdale, Michigan, joins host Scot Bertram to discuss the importance of outdoor activities to pedagogy, how outdoor spaces help spark the imagination and creativity of children, and book recommendations for outdoor story time. Learn more: https://k12.hillsdale.edu/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Elizabeth Offord, curriculum director at Lafayette Academy in Lake St. Louis, Missouri, delivers a lecture on how teach poetic recitation to students in grammar school. This lecture was given at the Hoogland Center for Teacher Excellence seminar, “The Art of Teaching: Children's Literature” in September 2024. The Hoogland Center for Teacher Excellence, an outreach of the Hillsdale College K-12 Education Office, offers educators the opportunity to deepen their content knowledge and refine their skills in the classroom.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

John Peterson, Assistant Director of Curriculum at Hillsdale College's K-12 Education Office, joins host Scot Bertram to discuss the history of American education, the ideological basis for progressive education, and the roots of classical education. Learn more: https://k12.hillsdale.edu/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

John Peterson, assistant director of curriculum at Hillsdale College's K-12 Education Office, delivers a lecture on how the seminar method improves literature instruction. 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 College K-12 Education Office, offers educators the opportunity to deepen their content knowledge and refine their skills in the classroom.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Stephen Shipp, headmaster at Seven Oaks Classical School in Ellettsville, Indiana, joins host Scot Bertram to discuss Seven Oaks winning The Henry Salvatori Prize for Excellence in Teaching, encouraging firm and kind leadership, and developing an excellent school culture. Learn more: https://k12.hillsdale.edu/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jennifer Jackett, 5th grade teacher at Seven Oaks Classical School in Ellettsville, Indiana, delivers a lecture on how to use labs to enhance elementary education. 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 College K-12 Education Office, offers educators the opportunity to deepen their content knowledge and refine their skills in the classroom.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Abigail Teska, art teacher at Seven Oaks Classical School in Ellettsville, Indiana, joins host Scot Bertram to discuss summertime art instruction, simple and meaningful art activities, and how families can engage with great works of art over the summer. Learn more: https://k12.hillsdale.edu/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Penny Jenson, dean of lower school at Cincinnati Classical Academy in Cincinnati, Ohio, delivers a lecture on the importance of grammatical instruction during a student's elementary years. 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-12 Education Office, offers educators the opportunity to deepen their content knowledge and refine their skills in the classroom.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Przemyslaw Grzesiak, physical education teacher at Hillsdale Academy in Hillsdale, Michigan, joins host Scot Bertram to discuss summertime physical education instruction, how to encourage the spirit of competition, and how to get a workout on a rainy day. Learn more: https://k12.hillsdale.edu/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Stephen Smith, dean of the humanities and professor of English at Hillsdale College, delivers a lecture on the themes of freedom, education, and leadership in Dante Alighieri’s Divine Comedy. 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 College K-12 Education Office, offers educators the opportunity to deepen their content knowledge and refine their skills in the classroom.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Lisa Roberts, science teacher at Hillsdale Academy in Hillsdale, Michigan, joins host Scot Bertram to discuss summertime science instruction, how keeping a journal can help students retain information, and the educational value of playing outside. Learn more: https://k12.hillsdale.edu/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jennifer Mills, Title I coordinator at Seven Oaks Classical School in Ellettsville, Indiana, delivers a lecture on the importance of phonics as the foundation of literacy. 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-12 Education Office, offers educators the opportunity to deepen their content knowledge and refine their skills in the classroom.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Bryce Horswell, teacher support lead for Hillsdale College K-12 Education, joins host Scot Bertram to discuss summertime history instruction, summer activities that help improve a student's appreciation of history, and the many educational resources that local libraries provide. Learn more: https://k12.hillsdale.edu/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Benjamin Beier, chairman and associate professor of education at Hillsdale College, delivers a lecture on grammar and the development of the liberal arts. 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-12 Education Office, offers educators the opportunity to deepen their content knowledge and refine their skills in the classroom.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Sam Foat, dean of upper school at Treasure Coast Classical Academy in Stuart, Florida, joins host Scot Bertram to discuss summertime literature instruction, how to encourage students to read over the summer, and how leisure activities can supplement that reading. Learn more: https://k12.hillsdale.edu/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Charles C. Yost, assistant professor of medieval history at Hillsdale College, delivers a lecture on how the Middle Ages were instrumental in developing 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 College K-12 Education Office, offers educators the opportunity to deepen their content knowledge and refine their skills in the classroom.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Nikki Teeple, lower school math specialist at Atlanta Classical Academy in Atlanta, Georgia, joins host Scot Bertram to discuss summertime mathematics instruction, promoting wonder and discovery, and examples of fun daily practices to keep students sharp. Learn more: https://k12.hillsdale.edu/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Joshua Villarreal, Teacher Support Lead for Hillsdale College K-12, delivers a lecture on how literature forms a student's moral imagination. 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 College K-12 Education Office, offers educators the opportunity to deepen their content knowledge and refine their skills in the classroom.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tomek Grzesiak, fourth grade teacher at Hillsdale Academy in Hillsdale, Michigan, joins host Scot Bertram to discuss how classical teachers can best use their summer break, activities that can help teachers make their summer productive, and methods for reviewing the previous year of work to make adjustments. Learn more: https://k12.hillsdale.edu/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Kelly Scott Franklin, associate professor of English at Hillsdale College, delivers a lecture on the Civil War poetry of Walt Whitman and Herman Melville. 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 College K-12 Education Office, offers educators the opportunity to deepen their content knowledge and refine their skills in the classroom.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Colin Mullaney, assistant director for school leader development for Hillsdale College K-12 Education, joins host Scot Bertram to discuss summertime virtue instruction, family activities that naturally promote virtue, and how to beat summer laziness. Learn more: https://k12.hillsdale.edu/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Aaron Schepps, upper school principal at Atlanta Classical Academy in Atlanta, Georgia, delivers a lecture on practical tips for teaching students to read closely. 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 College K-12 Education Office, offers educators the opportunity to deepen their content knowledge and refine their skills in the classroom.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Sonja Bindus, teacher support lead for Hillsdale College K-12 Education, joins host Scot Bertram to discuss making the most of the summer, minimizing screen time, and summer activities that are both fun and educational. Learn more: https://k12.hillsdale.edu/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Daniel Coupland, dean of the Diana Davis Spencer Graduate School of Classical Education and professor of education at Hillsdale College, delivers a lecture on how diagramming sentences makes students better at language. 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-12 Education Office, offers educators the opportunity to deepen their content knowledge and refine their skills in the classroom.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Mike Roberts, headmaster at Hillsdale Academy in Hillsdale, Michigan, joins host Scot Bertram to discuss why summer break helps support students, teachers, administrators, and parents in the pursuit of a classical education. Learn more: https://k12.hillsdale.edu/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Kenneth Calvert, professor of history at Hillsdale College and former headmaster of Hillsdale Academy, delivers a lecture on making the ancient world exciting for young students. 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 College K-12 Education Office, offers educators the opportunity to deepen their content knowledge and refine their skills in the classroom.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jed Hartings, founder and current board chair of Cincinnati Classical Academy in Cincinnati, Ohio, joins host Scot Bertram to discuss how to build a school's board, how to locate a building for a school, and how Hillsdale College's K-12 Education Office assists in school governance. Learn more: https://k12.hillsdale.edu/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Paul Moreno, the William and Berniece Grewcock Chair in Constitutional History, professor of history, and dean of social sciences at Hillsdale College, delivers a lecture on the rise of progressivism and the administrative state. 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 outreach of the Hillsdale College K-12 Education Office, offers educators the opportunity to deepen their content knowledge and refine their skills in the classroom.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Stephen Shipp, headmaster at Seven Oaks Classical School in Ellettsville, Indiana, joins host Scot Bertram to discuss developing a "Portrait of a Graduate" to help guide your students, setting proper expectations for your graduates, and keeping true to your school's mission over the years. Learn more: https://k12.hillsdale.edu/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.