Classical Commons

Dr. Jon Kirwan, director of the new Center for Educational Philosophy & Leadership at Christendom College, joins us to discuss how classical wisdom can revitalize leadership, teacher training, and Catholic education in the modern age.

In this episode, we discuss:
📖 How progressive education reshaped teacher training—and how Catholic schools can recover their roots
📖 Why the Ed.D. has become a leadership degree, and how it might be re-founded on Thomistic principles
📖 The surprising overlap between modern leadership theory, positive psychology, and Aristotle’s virtue ethics
📖 How Christendom College is preparing the next generation of educators to renew schools through classical philosophy and Catholic tradition

LINKS:
➡️ Christendom College Center for Educational Philosophy & Leadership: https://www.christendom.edu/academics...

Are you interested in teaching at a classical school? A school administrator in need of talent and resources? A supportive parent, business owner, or lobbyist?

Classical Commons is building a network of classical K-12 schools, exceptional teachers, and pedagogical resources to advance classical liberal arts education in the 21st century. We're a unique digital community connecting growing schools with job searchers and other interested parties within the movement.

Join us every Wednesday at 1 PM ET for conversations from the cutting edge of K-12 classical ed, and join our community at www.classicalcommons.org.

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For viewers interested in: Classical education, liberal arts, ICLE, SCL, ACCS, CLT, Classic Learning Test, Jeremy Tate, Susan Wise Bauer, Well-Trained Mind, Classical Conversations, Spencer Klavan, Latin schools, Great Hearts, Memoria Press, Tracy Lee Simmons, Hillsdale College, University of Dallas, UDallas, UATX, University of Austin, Joshua Gibbs, CiRCE, Jonathan Pageau, Anglican schools, Orthodox schools, Catholic schools, Reformed schools, Doug Wilson, Inklings, JRR Tolkien, CS Lewis, Pints with Aquinas, St. John's College, Great Books, the trivium, the quadrivium, John Senior

Allison Ellis (Mount Titano Media) and Martin Cothran (Memoria Press) join us to discuss "Finding Our Words," a collection of great American speeches and why recovering the art of rhetoric is vital for education and civic life today.

In this episode, we discuss:
📖 How homeschooling and publishing led to the revival of classical education
📖 Why rhetoric and speech are central to forming citizens
📖 John Quincy Adams’s 1837 Independence Day oration—and what it reveals about America’s foundations
📖 How the Constitution reflects both classical wisdom and a Judeo-Christian inheritance

LINKS:
➡️ "Finding Our Words: Words That Made America": https://www.mounttitanomedia.com/products/finding-our-words-words-that-made-america-paperback
➡️ Memoria Press: https://www.memoriapress.com

Are you interested in teaching at a classical school? A school administrator in need of talent and resources? A supportive parent, business owner, or lobbyist?

Classical Commons is building a network of classical K-12 schools, exceptional teachers, and pedagogical resources to advance classical liberal arts education in the 21st century. We're a unique digital community connecting growing schools with job searchers and other interested parties within the movement.

Join us every Wednesday at 1 PM ET for conversations from the cutting edge of K-12 classical ed, and join our community at www.classicalcommons.org.

...

For viewers interested in: Classical education, liberal arts, ICLE, SCL, ACCS, CLT, Classic Learning Test, Jeremy Tate, Susan Wise Bauer, Well-Trained Mind, Classical Conversations, Spencer Klavan, Latin schools, Great Hearts, Memoria Press, Tracy Lee Simmons, Hillsdale College, University of Dallas, UDallas, UATX, University of Austin, Joshua Gibbs, CiRCE, Jonathan Pageau, Anglican schools, Orthodox schools, Catholic schools, Reformed schools, Doug Wilson, Inklings, JRR Tolkien, CS Lewis, Pints with Aquinas, St. John's College, Great Books, the trivium, the quadrivium, John Senior

Professors and scholars Dr. Dan Coupland (Dean of the Graduate School of Education) and Dr. Ben Beier (Chair of the Education Department) join us from Hillsdale College to discuss the growth of classical education, the vocation of teaching, and how higher education can sustain this renewal.

In this episode, we discuss:
📖 The surprising speed and scale of classical education’s growth
📖 Why leadership is the Achilles’ heel of the movement—and how Hillsdale is addressing it
📖 How theory, practice, and history must come together to form lasting institutions

LINKS:
➡️ Principia Journal: https://principia.artsandsciences.baylor.edu/
➡️ Diana Davis Spencer Graduate School of Classical Education: https://classicalgrad.hillsdale.edu/
➡️ "Tried and True: A Primer on Sound Pedagogy": https://shop.hillsdale.edu/products/tried-true-daniel-b-coupland
➡️ "The Intellectual Life," A.G. Sertillanges, O.P: https://www.memoriapress.com/curriculum/mcp/the-intellectual-life/
➡️ "Another Sort of Learning," Fr. James V. Schall, S.J.: https://www.amazon.com/Another-Sort-Learning-James-Schall/dp/089870183X/ref=sr_1_1?sr=8-1

Are you interested in teaching at a classical school? A school administrator in need of talent and resources? A supportive parent, business owner, or lobbyist?

Classical Commons is building a network of classical K-12 schools, exceptional teachers, and pedagogical resources to advance classical liberal arts education in the 21st century. We're a unique digital community connecting growing schools with job searchers and other interested parties within the movement.

Join us every Wednesday at 1 PM ET for conversations from the cutting edge of K-12 classical ed, and join our community at www.classicalcommons.org.

...

For viewers interested in: Classical education, liberal arts, ICLE, SCL, ACCS, CLT, Classic Learning Test, Jeremy Tate, Susan Wise Bauer, Well-Trained Mind, Classical Conversations, Spencer Klavan, Latin schools, Great Hearts, Memoria Press, Tracy Lee Simmons, Hillsdale College, University of Dallas, UDallas, UATX, University of Austin, Joshua Gibbs, CiRCE, Jonathan Pageau, Anglican schools, Orthodox schools, Catholic schools, Reformed schools, Doug Wilson, Inklings, JRR Tolkien, CS Lewis, Pints with Aquinas, St. John's College, Great Books, the trivium, the quadrivium, John Senior

Theologian, medievalist, musician, and storyteller Junius Johnson joins us to explore how Lewis, fairy tales, and the medieval imagination shaped his vocation—and why recovering this vision matters for classical education today. In this episode, we discuss:
📖 Falling in love with fantasy and theology through C.S. Lewis
📖 Why the modern world resists integration—and how the medievals held it together
📖 How the Humanitas project seeks to form students through primary sources

LINKS:
➡️ Humanitas: https://classicalacademicpress.com/pa...
➡️ Greats Story Lab:    / @greatsstorylab 

Are you interested in teaching at a classical school? A school administrator in need of talent and resources? A supportive parent, business owner, or lobbyist?

Classical Commons is building a network of classical K-12 schools, exceptional teachers, and pedagogical resources to advance classical liberal arts education in the 21st century. We're a unique digital community connecting growing schools with job searchers and other interested parties within the movement.

Join us every Wednesday at 1 PM ET for conversations from the cutting edge of K-12 classical ed, and join our community at www.classicalcommons.org.

...

For viewers interested in: Classical education, liberal arts, ICLE, SCL, ACCS, CLT, Classic Learning Test, Jeremy Tate, Susan Wise Bauer, Well-Trained Mind, Classical Conversations, Spencer Klavan, Latin schools, Great Hearts, Memoria Press, Tracy Lee Simmons, Hillsdale College, University of Dallas, UDallas, UATX, University of Austin, Joshua Gibbs, CiRCE, Jonathan Pageau, Anglican schools, Orthodox schools, Catholic schools, Reformed schools, Doug Wilson, Inklings, JRR Tolkien, CS Lewis, Pints with Aquinas, St. John's College, Great Books, the trivium, the quadrivium, John Senior

Krystyn Schmerbeck and Andrew Salzmann join us from Benedictine College to share the story behind their brand-new Master’s program in Classical Education. Drawing on decades of teaching, consulting, and institution-building, they describe a bold effort to form the next generation of classical educators. In this episode, we discuss:
📖 Why the renewal of classical education now needs graduate-level formation
📖 How the Benedictine MA blends practice, pedagogy, and philosophy
📖 Lessons learned from teaching at Torrey Honors College and the Institute for Catholic Liberal Education

LINKS:
➡️ Benedictine's MA in Classical Education: https://www.benedictine.edu/academics...
➡️ "The Liberal Arts Tradition": The Liberal Arts Tradition
➡️ "The Death and Restoration of Christian Culture": https://clearcreekmonks.org/gift-shop...

Are you interested in teaching at a classical school? A school administrator in need of talent and resources? A supportive parent, business owner, or lobbyist?

Classical Commons is building a network of classical K-12 schools, exceptional teachers, and pedagogical resources to advance classical liberal arts education in the 21st century. We're a unique digital community connecting growing schools with job searchers and other interested parties within the movement.

Join us every Wednesday at 1 PM ET for conversations from the cutting edge of K-12 classical ed, and join our community at www.classicalcommons.org.

...

For viewers interested in: Classical education, liberal arts, ICLE, SCL, ACCS, CLT, Classic Learning Test, Jeremy Tate, Susan Wise Bauer, Well-Trained Mind, Classical Conversations, Spencer Klavan, Latin schools, Great Hearts, Memoria Press, Tracy Lee Simmons, Hillsdale College, University of Dallas, UDallas, UATX, University of Austin, Joshua Gibbs, CiRCE, Jonathan Pageau, Anglican schools, Orthodox schools, Catholic schools, Reformed schools, Doug Wilson, Inklings, JRR Tolkien, CS Lewis, Pints with Aquinas, St. John's College, Great Books, the trivium, the quadrivium, John Senior

Classical Commons

Robert Pondiscio, Senior Fellow at the American Enterprise Institute, joins us to discuss the rising demand for classical schools, the challenge of preparing teachers for this model, and why curriculum and cultural literacy remain central to student formation. In this episode, we discuss:
📖 How Pondiscio’s path from Bronx classroom teacher to policy scholar shaped his views
📖 Why cultural literacy matters for student opportunity
📖 The “Achilles’ heel” of classical education: finding and forming teachers
📖 How school choice and higher ed programs may shape the future of the movement

LINKS:
➡️ ED Hirsch, "Cultural Literacy": https://www.coreknowledge.org/product...
➡️"The Achilles' Heel of Classical Education": https://www.aei.org/research-products...
➡️ Core Knowledge: https://www.coreknowledge.org/

Are you interested in teaching at a classical school? A school administrator in need of talent and resources? A supportive parent, business owner, or lobbyist?

Classical Commons is building a network of classical K-12 schools, exceptional teachers, and pedagogical resources to advance classical liberal arts education in the 21st century. We're a unique digital community connecting growing schools with job searchers and other interested parties within the movement.

Join us every Wednesday at 1 PM ET for conversations from the cutting edge of K-12 classical ed, and join our community at www.classicalcommons.org.

...

For viewers interested in: Classical education, liberal arts, ICLE, SCL, ACCS, CLT, Classic Learning Test, Jeremy Tate, Susan Wise Bauer, Well-Trained Mind, Classical Conversations, Spencer Klavan, Latin schools, Great Hearts, Memoria Press, Tracy Lee Simmons, Hillsdale College, University of Dallas, UDallas, UATX, University of Austin, Joshua Gibbs, CiRCE, Jonathan Pageau, Anglican schools, Orthodox schools, Catholic schools, Reformed schools, Doug Wilson, Inklings, JRR Tolkien, CS Lewis, Pints with Aquinas, St. John's College, Great Books, the trivium, the quadrivium, John Senior

Rhetoric and humanities teacher Patrick Halbrook (Cary Christian School) and co-founder of Paidea Graphics joins us to share his journey into classical education, the evolving role of rhetoric in the classroom, and how beauty and design shape the way schools present themselves. In this episode, we discuss:
📖 How Dorothy Sayers and The Lost Tools of Learning sparked his vocation
📖 Shifts in classical education over the past twenty years
📖 How school design and websites convey values through beauty

Are you interested in teaching at a classical school? A school administrator in need of talent and resources? A supportive parent, business owner, or lobbyist?

Classical Commons is building a network of classical K-12 schools, exceptional teachers, and pedagogical resources to advance classical liberal arts education in the 21st century. We're a unique digital community connecting growing schools with job searchers and other interested parties within the movement.

Join us every Wednesday at 1 PM ET for conversations from the cutting edge of K-12 classical ed, and join our community at www.classicalcommons.org.

...

For viewers interested in: Classical education, liberal arts, ICLE, SCL, ACCS, CLT, Classic Learning Test, Jeremy Tate, Susan Wise Bauer, Well-Trained Mind, Classical Conversations, Spencer Klavan, Latin schools, Great Hearts, Memoria Press, Tracy Lee Simmons, Hillsdale College, University of Dallas, UDallas, UATX, University of Austin, Joshua Gibbs, CiRCE, Jonathan Pageau, Anglican schools, Orthodox schools, Catholic schools, Reformed schools, Doug Wilson, Inklings, JRR Tolkien, CS Lewis, Pints with Aquinas, St. John's College, Great Books, the trivium, the quadrivium, John Senior

Founder and CEO of the Classic Learning Test (CLT), Jeremy Tate, shares the story behind launching a disruptive alternative to the SAT and ACT, and his vision for restoring virtue and knowledge to education. In this episode, we discuss:
📖 The surprising origins of CLT and its explosive growth in under a decade
📖 Why standardized tests shape what schools teach—and why it matters
📖 The new American Civics Exam and its potential impact on civic education

LINKS:
➡️ Classic Learning Test: https://www.cltexam.com/
➡️ Jack Miller Center: https://www.jackmillercenter.org/
➡️ AEI Civic Thought Project: https://www.aei.org/civic-thought-pro...

Are you interested in teaching at a classical school? A school administrator in need of talent and resources? A supportive parent, business owner, or lobbyist?

Classical Commons is building a network of classical K-12 schools, exceptional teachers, and pedagogical resources to advance classical liberal arts education in the 21st century. We're a unique digital community connecting growing schools with job searchers and other interested parties within the movement.

Join us every Wednesday at 1 PM ET for conversations from the cutting edge of K-12 classical ed, and join our community at www.classicalcommons.org.

...

For viewers interested in: Classical education, liberal arts, ICLE, SCL, ACCS, CLT, Classic Learning Test, Jeremy Tate, Susan Wise Bauer, Well-Trained Mind, Classical Conversations, Spencer Klavan, Latin schools, Great Hearts, Memoria Press, Tracy Lee Simmons, Hillsdale College, University of Dallas, UDallas, UATX, University of Austin, Joshua Gibbs, CiRCE, Jonathan Pageau, Anglican schools, Orthodox schools, Catholic schools, Reformed schools, Doug Wilson, Inklings, JRR Tolkien, CS Lewis, Pints with Aquinas, St. John's College, Great Books, the trivium, the quadrivium, John Senior

Ryan Hammill and Jonathan Roberts, co-founders of the Ancient Language Institute, share how their unique pedagogy is transforming the way students engage with Latin, Greek, Hebrew, and even Old English. In this episode, we discuss:
📖 Why the “dead language” critique doesn’t hold up—and what’s driving a resurgence
📖 The flaws of the traditional grammar-translation method
📖 A “mixed method” approach that emphasizes active use and reading mastery
📖 How AI and modern tools are shaping (and sometimes undermining) language learning
📖 Building a global community of tutors to meet surging demand

➡️ Ancient Language Institute: https://ancientlanguage.com/
➡️ polýMATHY by Luke Ranieri:    / @polymathy_luke 
➡️ Richard M. Gamble, "The Great Tradition": https://www.regnery.com/9781935191568...

Are you interested in teaching at a classical school? A school administrator in need of talent and resources? A supportive parent, business owner, or lobbyist?

Classical Commons is building a network of classical K-12 schools, exceptional teachers, and pedagogical resources to advance classical liberal arts education in the 21st century. We're a unique digital community connecting growing schools with job searchers and other interested parties within the movement.

Join us every Wednesday at 1 PM ET for conversations from the cutting edge of K-12 classical ed, and join our community at www.classicalcommons.org.

...

For viewers interested in: Classical education, liberal arts, ICLE, SCL, ACCS, CLT, Classic Learning Test, Jeremy Tate, Susan Wise Bauer, Well-Trained Mind, Classical Conversations, Spencer Klavan, Latin schools, Great Hearts, Memoria Press, Tracy Lee Simmons, Hillsdale College, University of Dallas, UDallas, UATX, University of Austin, Joshua Gibbs, CiRCE, Jonathan Pageau, Anglican schools, Orthodox schools, Catholic schools, Reformed schools, Doug Wilson, Inklings, JRR Tolkien, CS Lewis, Pints with Aquinas, St. John's College, Great Books, the trivium, the quadrivium, John Senior

Brinton and Rebecca Smith, founders of Classical School Solutions, share their journey from homeschooling and leading schools to developing literacy resources that meet the needs of today’s classical classrooms. In this episode, we discuss:
📖 How COVID revealed gaps in teacher training and literacy programs, and encouragement for teachers navigating post-COVID challenges
📖 Building the Readers in Rhyme curriculum for dyslexia and ESL support
📖 Bridging the gap between classical ideals and on-the-ground classroom realities

LINKS:
➡️ Classical School Solutions: https://www.classicalschoolsolutions.com/
➡️ "Readers in Rhyme": https://www.classicalschoolsolutions.com/readersinrhyme#:~:text=The%20Readers%20in%20Rhyme%C2%AE,to%20those%20who%20need%20it.&text=Listen%2C%20see%20and%20do.,retain%20what%20they%20are%20learning.

Are you interested in teaching at a classical school? A school administrator in need of talent and resources? A supportive parent, business owner, or lobbyist?

Classical Commons is building a network of classical K-12 schools, exceptional teachers, and pedagogical resources to advance classical liberal arts education in the 21st century. We're a unique digital community connecting growing schools with job searchers and other interested parties within the movement.

Join us every Wednesday at 1 PM ET for conversations from the cutting edge of K-12 classical ed, and join our community at www.classicalcommons.org.

...

For viewers interested in: Classical education, liberal arts, ICLE, SCL, ACCS, CLT, Classic Learning Test, Jeremy Tate, Susan Wise Bauer, Well-Trained Mind, Classical Conversations, Spencer Klavan, Latin schools, Great Hearts, Memoria Press, Tracy Lee Simmons, Hillsdale College, University of Dallas, UDallas, UATX, University of Austin, Joshua Gibbs, CiRCE, Jonathan Pageau, Anglican schools, Orthodox schools, Catholic schools, Reformed schools, Doug Wilson, Inklings, JRR Tolkien, CS Lewis, Pints with Aquinas, St. John's College, Great Books, the trivium, the quadrivium, John Senior