Charlotte Mason’s simple framework for a teacher calls him a “guide, philosopher, and friend.” It’s a lovely image—but what does that practical application look like? At the Forum Teaching Vocation Conference last winter, Heights teacher Tom Cox unpacked each of these terms citing ancient wisdom and loads of modern classroom experience.

Chapters:

• 6:09 Charlotte Mason and the teacher as guide, philosopher, and friend
• 7:44 Guide: one who has been there before
• 10:53 Communicating the “why”
• 14:18 Philosopher: starting in wonder, ending in wisdom
• 15:59 A storyteller stirring up wonder
• 20:01 Friend: beginning with a mutual love of something
• 22:28 Modeling friendship with fellow faculty
• 23:57 St. Aelred of Rievaulx’s qualities of friendship
• 24:19 Dilectio, outward benevolent acts
• 24:54 Affectio, interior feeling
• 26:29 Securitas, freedom from anxiety
• 27:42 Iucunditas, pleasantness
• 30:00 Orient towards hope: begin and begin again

Links:

• Grammaticus.co, Tom Cox’s website featuring Latin and history courses, his blog, and podcast
• The Plutarch Podcast by Tom Cox
• Spiritual Friendship by Aelred of Rievaulx

Featured Opportunities:

• The Art of Teaching Conference at The Heights School (November 13-15, 2024)

Also on the Forum:

• Living the Teaching Vocation by Michael Moynihan
• Teaching and the Vocation to Fatherhood featuring Tom Steenson
• On Preparation for Teaching: Six Attributes of Great Teachers featuring Colin Gleason
• The Teacher as Liberal Artist featuring Tom Longano