The Optimistic Curmudgeon

In this plenary address at the inaugural SE Consortium of Classical Educators conference at Thales College, Robert Woods draws on Neil Postman's Technopoly to argue for a certain attitude that classical educators ought to adopt as they engage in the fight for what is good, true, and beautiful. 

In this opening plenary address at the inaugural SE Consortium of Classical Educators conference at Thales College, Josh Herring draws from C.S Lewis, J.R.R. Tolkien, David Hicks, Russell Kirk, and Robert Hutchins to describe the kind of book worth requiring in a K-12 educational context. This talk was delivered on 8/3/2024. 

Katherine Bradshaw of the Ancient Language Institute joins Josh Herring for a discussion of Shakespeare's Taming of the Shrew. They summarize the play, discuss interpretive difficulties, read several passages, and generally have a delightful time laughing at one of Shakespeare's best (and most controversial) comedies. If you are interested in knowing more about the gender wars, let Shakespeare be your guide! Petruchio, Katherine, Bianca, Grumio and the rest shed light on some of today's most pressing questions.

Links to the things mentioned in the podcast:

The Ancient Language Institute - https://ancientlanguage.com/about/

New Humanists podcast from ALI: Katherine Bradshaw been a guest on this podcast a few times to talk about Coriolanus, Julius Caesar, and Antony and Cleopatra, as well as to interview Eric Adler about Irving Babbitt - https://newhumanists.buzzsprout.com/1791279

Article for the James G. Martin Center for Academic Renewal about alternative paths open to the academically inclined - https://www.jamesgmartin.center/2023/07/diary-of-a-freelance-language-scholar/

Eric Wearne, director of the National Hybrid Schools Project, discusses his edited volume New Pathways in Teacher Preparation and Certification. There is a functional monopoly on training teachers, and Wearne argues that a school choice friendly America needs new approaches to training teachers and school leaders. With specific shoutouts to the CiRCE Institute's Apprenticeship program, Thales College's Certificate in Classical Education Philosophy, and several new options on the horizon, this episode presents solutions to the problem it diagnoses. Dr. Wearne also provides a brief survey of the history of teacher formation in America. Enjoy: Links:

1. The Book - https://www.amazon.com/New-Pathways-Teacher-Preparation-Certification/dp/1032335661/ref=sr_1_2?dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.JHeitO9YIhKqAUAHotAH7Pp9tTRbnErTYZyTJs7tbFLGjHj071QN20LucGBJIEps.8jtnCbsG_gmEx0h8CvOKHEZZr5aUktA9011US0mmefs&dib_tag=se&keywords=eric+wearne&qid=1718644623&sr=8-2

2. The National Hybrid Schools Project - https://www.kennesaw.edu/coles/centers/education-economics-center/national-hybrid-schools-project/index.php

3. Thales College's Certificate in Classical Education Philosophy - https://www.thalescollege.org/academics/classical-education/philosophy

Winston Brady explains the story behind his Inferno, the importance of sin, redemption, and divine grace for ultimate happiness, and several puzzles hidden within Evan Esko's journey across Hell. Featuring lust, gluttony, murder, an Ent, Mephistopheles, suicide, Jimi Hendrix, Kurt Cobain, Thomas Jefferson, LBJ, Ernest Hemingway., and more. Here is the link to order your copy: https://shorturl.at/wL2I8

John Wilsey discusses the nature of religious conservatism, its place in the American tradition, and why conservatives are the best disposed group in America today to defend everyone's religious liberty. He explains the nature of patriotism, defending the idea of being American, and roots his arguments in Burkean conservatism. With callbacks to episode 5x5 featuring Ben Cnreshaw, Dr. Wilsey explains his take on Christian Nationalism. What does Wilsey think about Stephen Wolfe's Case for Christian Nationalism? Listen and find out!

Joe Rigney discusses his new book, Leadership and Emotional Sabotage: Resisting the Anxiety That Will Wreck Your Family, Destroy Your Church, and Ruin the World, and the need for men in particular to rediscover their authority. Rigney argues that rightly used authority is a blessing to those under it and in the absence of that authority chaos reigns. He is concerned that those in leadership need to develop fortitude, enabling them to stay the course when storms arise. He also gives a beautiful response to President Biden’s proclaiming Easter Sunday as the Transgender Day of Visibility in 2024.

Andrew Zwerneman discusses the nature of history, how it should be taught, and its role in a classical education. History is a primary method of shaping the moral imagination, and Zwerneman describes the pivotal role of the classical educator in forming students to cultivate historical consciousness.

Find all of Andrew resources and more at Cana Academy - https://www.canaacademy.org/

Rob Thornett, a classical educator with Great Hearts Academies, explains how classical methods and approaches help students discover the good that education can give them. Rob is a global traveler, and has taught in various international settings. This conversational episode is based on Rob’s article in Quillette: https://quillette.com/2024/02/09/the-odyssey-of-classical-education/

Find more of Rob's resources at Robertthornett.com

Scott Yenor describes more than 20 woke pieces of legislation passed in California in recent years and the terrible effects they have on California education. Dr. Yenor explains what’s really going in some key educational buzzwords: culturally responsive teaching, social emotional learning, action civics, critical social justice, and restorative justice. 

Here is the report this episode is based on: https://idahofreedom.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/California-Report-23-09.pdf