"Schooling as a Moral Endeavor in a Pluralistic Society" from Patrick Halbrook

Developing Classical Thinkers

#Podcasting Education #Developing Classical Thinkers

26:28

Squid Game is back—and this time, the knives are out. In the thrilling Season 3 premiere, Player 456 is spiraling and a brutal round of hide-and-seek forces players to kill or be killed. Hosts Phil Yu and Kiera Please break down Gi-hun’s descent into vengeance, Guard 011’s daring betrayal of the Game, and the shocking moment players are forced to choose between murdering their friends… or dying. Then, Carlos Juico and Gavin Ruta from the Jumpers Jump podcast join us to unpack their wild theories for the season. Plus, Phil and Kiera face off in a high-stakes round of “Hot Sweet Potato.” SPOILER ALERT! Make sure you watch Squid Game Season 3 Episode 1 before listening on. Play one last time. IG - @SquidGameNetflix X (f.k.a. Twitter) - @SquidGame Check out more from Phil Yu @angryasianman , Kiera Please @kieraplease and the Jumpers Jump podcast Listen to more from Netflix Podcasts . Squid Game: The Official Podcast is produced by Netflix and The Mash-Up Americans.…

about a year ago 16:08

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What is the telos of education? In a free society, is it desirable or practical to attempt to design a single system of schooling that is ideal for everyone? Can schools hold a neutral position regarding morality and values, or is education a fundamentally ethical enterprise that inevitably adopts a new moral framework when an old one is removed?
In this presentation, Patrick Halbrook considered these questions in a historical framework as they have been applied to American education in the twenty-first century.
Patrick Halbrook is a teacher, graphic designer, and writer—as well as a passionate advocate for classical Christian education. Over the years he has written for various publications including The Imaginative Conservative, FORMA Journal, The Classical Difference, and Cary Christian School’s blog, The Forum. He has a Bachelor of Arts in Liberal and Biblical Studies from Florida College and a Masters of Art in History from North Carolina State University.

287 episodes

"Schooling as a Moral Endeavor in a Pluralistic Society" from Patrick Halbrook

Developing Classical Thinkers

published about a year ago

MP3•Episode home

287 episodes

#Podcasting Education #Developing Classical Thinkers

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Developing Classical Thinkers

1
The Joys of Teaching with Tiffany Whitaker 53:29

6 days ago53:29

53:29

In this episode, Winston Brady speaks with Tiffany Whitaker about her experience teaching elementary school at the Thales Academy Wake Forest campus. Tiffany Whitaker is a Franklinton, North Carolina resident, East Carolina University alumnus, and seventh-year teacher at Thales Academy. She holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Elementary Education with a reading concentration and has had teaching experience in third and second grade. Ms. Whitaker teaches second grade at the Thales Academy Wake Forest campus. Interested in teaching at Thales Academy? Check out job postings across our network at https://www.thalesacademy.org/contact/careers…

Developing Classical Thinkers

1
The Virtue of Justice by Kellie Scripter 20:47

11 days ago20:47

20:47

In this lecture, Kellie Scripter addresses the virtue of justice in the context of a content-rich classical education. A classical education provides students with opportunities to understand virtues like justice by encouraging them to develop intellectual discipline, exercise their moral imagination, and thus establish the patterns by which they can strive to pursue a just life. Mrs. Scripter received a B.A. in History and French from the University of Rochester and an M.A. in American History from Binghamton University. She teaches History and Humane Letters. Kellie Scripter delivered this presentation at the Conference of Miletus on July 14, 2025. The Conference of Miletus was a series of short, informative lectures given by members of the Thales Academy leadership team on ideas relating to classical education. Interested in teaching at Thales Academy? Please check out our website if you are interested in pursuing a career at Thales Academy and learning about needs across our network. Find out more at https://www.thalesacademy.org/contact/careers.…

Developing Classical Thinkers

1
The Virtue of Temperance by Winston Brady 13:33

13 days ago13:33

13:33

Winston Brady, director of Thales Press, addresses the virtue of temperance and why students should cultivate this important virtue. Temperance is the virtue of self-control and moderation, a habit people can achieve by bringing their appetites into harmony with their reason. Winston Brady delivered this presentation at the Conference of Miletus on July 14, 2025. The Conference of Miletus was a series of short, informative lectures given by members of the Thales Academy leadership team on ideas relating to classical education. Interested in teaching at Thales Academy? Please check out our website if you are interested in pursuing a career at Thales Academy and learning about needs across our network. Find out more at https://www.thalesacademy.org/contact....…

Developing Classical Thinkers

1
The Virtue of Prudence with Anthony Esolen 14:38

16 days ago14:38

14:38

Anthony Esolen, distinguished professor of the humanities at Thales College, addresses the virtue of prudence. Dr. Anthony Esolen received his A.B. in English Literature from Princeton University and his M.A. and Ph.D. in Renaissance English Literature from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Dr. Esolen has been a professor of literature and humanities for 35 years and is the author or translator of more than 30 books, which include a range of English translations, analyses of culture, literary and Biblical criticisms, meditations on modern education, meditations on the Christian life, and original poetry. Dr. Esolen serves as a Distinguished Professor of Humanities at Thales College. Dr. Esolen delivered this presentation at the Conference of Miletus on July 14, 2025. The Conference of Miletus is a series of short, informative lectures given by members of the Thales Academy leadership team on ideas relating to classical education. Interested in teaching at Thales Academy? Please check out our website if you are interested in pursuing a career at Thales Academy and learning about needs across our network. Find out more at https://www.thalesacademy.org/contact/careers.…

Developing Classical Thinkers

1
The Virtue of Courage from Robert Luddy 19:16

19 days ago19:16

19:16

Robert Luddy, founder of Thales Academy, addresses the virtue of courage and how important it is for students to face their fears, overcome adversity, and take small, practical steps to cultivate this cardinal virtue. Robert "Bob" Luddy is the Founder and Chairman of Thales Academy, Thales College, Franklin Academy, and St. Thomas More Academy, and is the Founder and President of CaptiveAire Systems, North America's leading manufacturer of commercial kitchen ventilation equipment and a quickly growing manufacturer of commercial and industrial HVAC systems. Bob Luddy delivered this presentation at the Conference of Miletus on July 14, 2025. The Conference of Miletus was a series of short, informative lectures given by members of the Thales Academy leadership team on ideas relating to classical education. Interested in teaching at Thales Academy? Please check out our website if you are interested in pursuing a career at Thales Academy and learning about the needs across our network. Find out more at https://www.thalesacademy.org/contact/careers.…

Developing Classical Thinkers

1
What do Parents Want in a Classical School? 50:50

5 weeks ago50:50

50:50

Eric Wearne is a Visiting Associate Professor with the Education Economics Center at Kennesaw State University. In line with his work on the intersection of statistics, school choice, and classical education, Professor Wearne conducted a survey of parents with children in a wide variety of classical schools. In this survey, Professor Wearne examined what parents want in a classical school and the benefits they see from their children being classically educated. Professor Wearne served previously as Provost at Holy Spirit College, Associate Professor of Education at Georgia Gwinnett College, and Deputy Director of the Governor's Office of Student Achievement in Atlanta. Dr. Wearne’s research work focuses on education policy, school choice, and the history of American education. Find out more about his work at https://sites.google.com/view/eric-wearne/home…

Developing Classical Thinkers

1
Happy 4th of July! 4:08

5 weeks ago4:08

4:08

A special episode on the history behind the celebrations of the Fourth of July, plus some of the most significant people in American history who have been born on, or departed from this Earth on, the 4th of July.

Developing Classical Thinkers

1
Limits & the Human Condition by Winston Brady | Ciceronian Society 2025 17:24

9 weeks ago17:24

17:24

On March 13-15, several Thales faculty members participated in the 2025 annual meeting of the Ciceronian Society in Harrisonburg, Virginia. This lecture comes from Winston Brady, director of Thales Press. In this address, Winston examined the relationship between limits and liberty, for the purpose of understanding what it means to be human, with insights drawn from C.S. Lewis and The Abolition of Man , particularly about the "conditioners" Lewis describes at the end of this groundbreaking book on education. The Ciceronian Society exists to equip and encourage Christian scholars to serve the church as a center of cultural and civic renewal. Find out more about their mission and work at https://ciceroniansociety.org/…

Developing Classical Thinkers

1
Work and the Meaning of Life with David Bahnsen 40:15

10 weeks ago40:15

40:15

Author David Bahnsen joins Developing Classical Thinkers to talk about the importance of work for our health and happiness, with insights drawn from his book, "Full Time: Work and the Meaning of Life." In "Full Time," Bahnsen argues that the time has come to stop tip-toeing around the issues that matter and to encourage students to look at a theology of work in its fullness to discover our meaning and purpose, a significant and successful life being one rooted in full-time productivity and cultivation of God’s created world. Check out https://www.fulltimebook.com/ to find out more about "Full Time" and David Bahsen's work. David L. Bahnsen is the founder, Managing Partner, and Chief Investment Officer of The Bahnsen Group, a national private wealth management firm with offices nationwide, managing over $7 billion in client assets. He is a frequent guest on CNBC, Bloomberg, Fox News, and Fox Business and regularly contributes to National Review. He hosts the popular weekly podcast Capital Record and writes daily investment commentary and weekly macro commentary at The Dividend Cafe website.…

Developing Classical Thinkers

1
Memorial Day: Celebration and Gratitude 10:17

11 weeks ago10:17

10:17

This week, we have a special episode in honor of Memorial Day, a holiday that honors those who have given their lives in service to our country and in preserving our freedom. In this episode, we look at the beginnings of Memorial Day, why we celebrate the holiday and how long we have done so. Then, we draw out the significance of the day by looking at the life and education of Abraham Lincoln. Thank you to everyone who serves or has served in our military for your time, support, and sacrifice for the freedoms we enjoy each day.…

Developing Classical Thinkers

1
The Truth about Tariffs with Roberto Salinas León, Robert Luddy, and Winston Brady 1:00:10

13 weeks ago1:00:10

1:00:10

In American history, tariffs have been one of the most controversial and divisive economic issues. Today, tariffs are back in the news as President Trump has levied massive import fees on various goods coming into the United States from around the world--but what is a tariff? How are these fees calculated? And who is really benefiting from these fees coming into America's ports? We are honored to welcome Dr. Roberto Salinas León to Developing Classical Thinkers to talk about tariffs, the disruption they cause, and the value that free trade brings to consumers. Roberto Salinas León is President of the Mexico Business Forum, where he works on assorted projects of policy analysis, media, investment advisory, and economic consultancy. He is currently the Director of the Center for Latin America of Atlas Network. He holds a B.A. in Political Economy, History and Philosophy from Hillsdale College, Michigan; and an M.A. and Ph. D. in Philosophy, Purdue University, Indiana. Dr. León serves as a debate fellow for the Calvin Coolidge Foundation.…

Developing Classical Thinkers

1
Habits of Seminar Teaching with Chelsea Wagenaar and Chris and Kellie Scripter, & Winston Brady 48:08

14 weeks ago48:08

48:08

A Socratic seminar is not a lecture where the teacher imparts information to students, nor is it some sort of a debate. Instead, it is a meaningful dialogue with teachers and students and the authors of the great ideas they are examining together. Join veteran educators Chelsea Wagenaar, Chris and Kellie Scripter, and Winston Brady and hear their best practices for leading engaging, rigorous, and joyful seminars for students. Dr. Chelsea Wagenaar received a B.A. in English from the University of Virginia and a Ph.D. in English from the University of North Texas. She teaches Literature and Trivium. Chris Scripter received a B.A. in History and Religion from Hillsdale College and an M.A. in European History at the State University of New York. Mr. Scripter teaches History. Chris Scripter received a B.A. in History and Religion from Hillsdale College and an M.A. in European History at the State University of New York. Mr. Scripter teaches History. Kellie Scripter received a B.A. in History and French from the University of Rochester and an M.A. in American History from Binghamton University. She teaches History and Humane Letters. Interested in teaching at Thales Academy? Check out: https://www.thalesacademy.org/contact/careers…

Developing Classical Thinkers

1
Middle Schoolers and Space Travel with Marc Fusco 1:25:25

16 weeks ago1:25:25

1:25:25

In this episode, Winston Brady and Marc Fusco discuss the joys of teaching middle school and studying astronomy. Mr. Fusco currently teaches Junior High History and Trivium at Thales Academy Raleigh, where he shares his love of classical education, literature, and history with his students, and he also is an Assistant Varsity Soccer Coach at Thales Academy Rolesville JH/HS. He enjoys playing music, playing soccer, building rockets, studying history, and learning. After graduate school, Mr. Fusco worked as a Management Consultant and business owner 15+ years, and most recently, worked at NASA for 10 years before coming to Thales Academy. In the episode, Winston asks Marc about star nurseries, spiral arms, and galactic clusters, among many other topics. Mr. Fusco received a B.A. and an M.A. in Medieval and Renaissance Literature and History from Arizona State University, an M.S. in Space Science from the University of North Dakota, attended Cambridge University in the UK, and was a doctoral fellow in Medieval and Renaissance Literature at The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. He teaches History at Thales Academy Raleigh and is an Assistant Varsity Soccer Coach at Thales Academy Rolesville JH/HS.…

Developing Classical Thinkers

1
"Teachers and The Moral Imagination" from Zach Palmer 19:51

17 weeks ago19:51

19:51

At the root of classical education is a noble challenge championed by master teachers throughout the Western heritage: teaching is the process of soul-craft—by which educators cultivate virtue within other human beings so that they might live good lives. This challenge inherently elevates the role of teachers beyond mere transmitters of knowledge to shapers of innate potential— people with the power and influence to build up or undermine the lives and willpower of students. In this presentation, Mr. Palmer explored the tragic landscape of contemporary American education, explicated the nuances of soul-craft in theory and practice, and revealed why this kind of soul-craft possesses ultimate significance for human flourishing. Zach Palmer received a B.A. in History from Hillsdale College and an M.Ed. in Curriculum and Instruction: History from Liberty University. Mr. Palmer teaches American History, Western Civilization, and Civics.…

Developing Classical Thinkers

1
"Schooling as a Moral Endeavor in a Pluralistic Society" from Patrick Halbrook 16:08

17 weeks ago16:08

16:08

What is the telos of education? In a free society, is it desirable or practical to attempt to design a single system of schooling that is ideal for everyone? Can schools hold a neutral position regarding morality and values, or is education a fundamentally ethical enterprise that inevitably adopts a new moral framework when an old one is removed? In this presentation, Patrick Halbrook considered these questions in a historical framework as they have been applied to American education in the twenty-first century. Patrick Halbrook is a teacher, graphic designer, and writer—as well as a passionate advocate for classical Christian education. Over the years he has written for various publications including The Imaginative Conservative, FORMA Journal, The Classical Difference, and Cary Christian School’s blog, The Forum. He has a Bachelor of Arts in Liberal and Biblical Studies from Florida College and a Masters of Art in History from North Carolina State University.…

Developing Classical Thinkers

1
"Life after the Department of Education" from Ray Nothstine 17:40

17 weeks ago17:40

17:40

The current education system in the United States is increasingly misaligned with the needs of many Americans. This paper explores the shortcomings of our “federalist” approach to education, emphasizing how federal overreach and bureaucratic stagnation have hindered progress and outcomes. While federal involvement was intended to promote equity and accountability, it has often devolved into inflexible mandates and uniform policies that erode local autonomy and fail to address the unique needs of communities. These dynamics not only limit the ability of families to govern themselves but also weaken the cultivation of moral character, which is vital for personal and societal growth. Ray Nothstine is a Future of Freedom Fellow and senior editor and writer for State Policy Network, where he primarily helps to shepherd the American Habits publication. He previously worked as opinion editor at Carolina Journal and as a Second Amendment research fellow at the John Locke Foundation in Raleigh, North Carolina. Nothstine graduated with a Master of Divinity (M.Div) degree from Asbury Theological Seminary in Wilmore, Kentucky. He also holds a B.A. in political science from The University of Mississippi in Oxford. He currently lives in North Carolina with his wife and three sons.…

Developing Classical Thinkers

1
"Virtue and School Leadership" from Robert Luddy | Liberty & Literacy Forum 15:02

18 weeks ago15:02

15:02

In this presentation, Robert Luddy walked through Thales Academy’s mission—to offer the highest quality education at the lowest possible price—and the real, practical steps that educational entrepreneurs can take to establish similar schools and educational institutions. Robert "Bob" Luddy is the Founder and Chairman of Thales Academy, Thales College, Franklin Academy, and St. Thomas More Academy, and is the Founder and President of CaptiveAire Systems, North America's leading manufacturer of commercial kitchen ventilation equipment and a quickly growing manufacturer of commercial and industrial HVAC systems.…

Developing Classical Thinkers

1
"School Choice: A Vehicle for Constructive and Meaningful Citizenship" from Professor Amy Wax | Liberty & Literacy Forum 25:46

18 weeks ago25:46

25:46

If values like respecting proper parental authority and discretion, promoting awareness and admiration for American and Western culture, preparing students for constructive and knowledgeable citizenship, and conveying an accurate sense of American history in world context, once again became priorities, as there were in the past, what would K-12 education look like? In this presentation, Professor Amy Wax examined the debate on education to go beyond advocacy for school choice and how expanded school choice policies can produce desirable substantive reforms in K-12 educational practice. Professor Wax addressed these issues in her keynote address at the Liberty & Literacy Forum. Amy Wax’s work addresses issues in social welfare law and policy as well as the relationship of the family, the workplace, and labor markets. By bringing to bear her training in biomedical sciences and appellate practice as well as her interest in economic analysis, Wax has developed a uniquely insightful approach to problems in her areas of expertise. Wax has published widely in law journals, addressing liberal theory and welfare work requirements as well as the economics of federal disability laws. Current works in progress include articles on same-sex marriage, disparate impact theory and group demographics, rational choice and family structure, and the law and neuroscience of deprivation. Her most recent book is "Race, Wrongs, and Remedies: Group Justice in the 21st Century" (Hoover Institution Press/Rowman & Littlefield, 2009). Wax has received the A. Leo Levin Award for Excellence in an Introductory Course and the Harvey Levin Memorial Award for Teaching Excellence. As an Assistant to the Solicitor General in the Office of the Solicitor General at the U.S. Department of Justice in the late 1980s and early 1990s, Wax argued 15 cases before the United States Supreme Court.…

Developing Classical Thinkers

1
Opening Remarks on 'Liberty & Literacy' from Winston Brady | Liberty & Literacy Forum 10:49

18 weeks ago10:49

10:49

Winston Brady offers opening remarks at the 2025 Liberty & Literacy Forum in Wake Forest North Carolina. The word "liberal" comes from the Latin "libertas," and within the word "libertas" is the word "liber," meaning “book." The Romans never separated "liberty" from a sound, content-rich education, and neither should we. The ways of grammar, logic, and rhetoric taught students how to think and write, while the quadrivium helped students comprehend truth and study everything from simple shapes to the highest heavens. These arts were called liberal arts because, in reality, they liberate students. They free an individual from ignorance and help that person learn how to think. As a result, it is a civilization-ending tragedy that American students are increasingly incapable of reading simple books and even completing simple math. To promote sound, content-rich education, Thales Press hosted the Liberty & Literacy Forum on March 21, 2025. These papers addressed literacy, classical wisdom, and virtue and offer positive steps to advance the cause of freedom and human flourishing in our K-12 schools and across the United States today.…

Developing Classical Thinkers

1
The Luddy Industrial Arts Program with Kim Tully 50:16

18 weeks ago50:16

50:16

Kim Tully serves as the lead for the Luddy Industrial and Vocational Arts program and the Luddy Institute of Technology at Thales Academy. These programs guide students through the fundamental skills and topics and through rigorous hands-on activities and experiments, all of which are explained in detail and with photos throughout the books Kim Tully and her team have designed. In this episode, Kim Tully and Winston Brady talk about these courses, the skills students will learn, and the goals they have for the program: a well-educated student capable of working with electronics and power tools as they are intellectually curious and virtuous.…

Developing Classical Thinkers

1
"The Anxious Generation" with Ashley Bahor & Olivia Holliday 47:59

21 weeks ago47:59

47:59

Social media and smartphones present unprecedented challenges for educators and parents. Parents and teachers often recognize that smartphones and social media do not help students, but they have not had data to confirm this belief. In this episode of Developing Classical Thinkers, Ashley Bahor and Olivia Holliday discuss Jonathan Haidt's 2024 book "The Anxious Generation: How the Great Rewiring of Childhood Is Causing an Epidemic of Mental Illness," and the evidence of social media usage's negative effects. In "The Anxious Generation," Haidt argues that social media apps hamper a teenager's normal social and emotional development. In this episode, Ashley Bahor and Olivia Holliday discuss "The Anxious Generation" and its claims, as well as strategies for parents to help their students avoid these kinds of technology. More information about Jonathan Haidt's "The Anxious Generation" can be found here: https://www.anxiousgeneration.com/book Mrs. Bahor received a B.S. in Child Development from Meredith College and a M.S.A. from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Mrs. Holliday received a B.A. in Psychology from Bryan College and an M.A. in Counseling with an emphasis in School Counseling from Marshall University Graduate College. Mrs. Holliday serves as Thales Academy's Guidance Counselor and is a helpful resource for every student.…

Developing Classical Thinkers

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Best Practices for Teaching Mathematics with Joe Wolak 53:51

23 weeks ago53:51

53:51

In this episode, Winston Brady speaks with Joseph Wolak, assistant head of school at the Thales Academy Apex JH / HS campus. Joe is a veteran teacher with over twenty years of experience teaching mathematics, and he shares his best tips and strategies in the classroom concerning pedagogy, classroom management, preparation, and grading for math teachers.…

Developing Classical Thinkers

1
Measuring Pi with Joe Wolak and Winston Brady 8:23

24 weeks ago8:23

8:23

In this video, teachers Joe Wolak and Winston Brady walk through a fun lesson plan to do with students to calculate pi using some plates, mugs, some string, and a ruler. Free download available at https://bit.ly/4gV7Cyd

Developing Classical Thinkers

1
Masters of Men, Masters of Nature...FORMA Symposium Speech 16:46

24 weeks ago16:46

16:46

January 31-February 1, the CiRCE Institute held its annual FORMA Symposium, hosted on the beautiful campus at Belmont Abbey College. The In this speech from the FORMA Symposium, Winston Brady addresses the plight of science education in the twenty-first century. Today, much of science education is not oriented toward truth but the cultivation and consolidation of power, with the objectivity of scientific knowledge used as a cloak for the mastery that scientific knowledge provides those who wield such power. Winston addressed the nature of the controversy, the historical steps by which modern education diverted from ancient practices, and a remedy rooted in truth, goodness, and beauty for restoring science education to its proper foundations.…

Developing Classical Thinkers

1
Cutting Costs for Schools 42:44

27 weeks ago42:44

42:44

The problems in American secondary education cannot be solved by simply throwing money at the problem. They require innovative but practical insights to help drive down costs while creating more value for students, teachers, and parents. In this episode of Developing Classical Thinkers, Robert Luddy explains his philosophy of continuous improvement and value creation and how he applies these insights for the benefit of Thales students. Interested in teaching at Thales Academy? Please check out our website if you are interested in pursuing a career at Thales Academy and learning about needs across our network. Find out more at https://www.thalesacademy.org/contact.…

Developing Classical Thinkers

1
Classical Approaches to Math 39:58

28 weeks ago39:58

39:58

In this episode, Joseph Wolak will present strategies for teaching junior high mathematics for teachers. He will present tips on classroom management, strategies for grading, and some ideas for building inquiry-driven lessons with the Saxon math curriculum. Mr. Wolak is joined by Ashley DiPenta and Naomi Back, members of the Thales junior high staff. Lesson plans and materials are all available upon request. Please email winston.brady@thalesacademy.org for more details.…

Developing Classical Thinkers

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Classical Education & Classical Liberalism with Bob Luddy, Jenna Robinson, & Jake Noland 42:56

29 weeks ago42:56

42:56

The success of the classical education movement continues to generate headlines in major publications and the support among parents hoping to see better educational options for their students continues to grow. As the number of classical schools continues to increase, whether they are charter schools, independent private, or parochial schools, people are now debating the extent to which, if any, classical education is (or should be) aligned with a political tradition and affiliation. Classical educators say they are offering a traditional liberal arts education–does that make classical education liberal? Classical educators say they are conserving the intellectual inheritance of the Western tradition–does that make classical education “conservative” in the Edmund Burke valued tradition, a sense of place, and one’s intellectual inheritance? Could a content-rich education rooted in the great books of the Western canon, books that molded the minds of the Founding Fathers and history’s greatest thinkers and leaders, produce a new generation who may cultivate the same opinions and values as such leaders concerning suspicion of government power, individual rights and freedoms based on the imago dei, and a regard for the truth, virtue, and liberty? This panel is intended to investigate these questions and the extent to which classical education is conservative and where along the conservative tradition we may find such principles. Jenna Robinson (Ph.D) is the president of the James G. Martin Center for Academic Renewal in Raleigh, NC. Jake Noland (Ph.D) serves as the Dean of Faculty at St. Thomas More Academy in Raleigh, North Carolina. Robert Luddy is the president of CaptiveAire Systems and the founder of Thales Academy. This panel was delivered live at the Fall Classical Summit, a regional classical conference held at Thales Academy Rolesville Junior High-High School on October 4, 2024. Interested in teaching at Thales Academy? Please check out our website if you are interested in pursuing a career at Thales Academy and learning about needs across our network. Find out more at https://www.thalesacademy.org/contact/careers.…

Developing Classical Thinkers

1
Direct Instruction: What It Is & Why It Works 32:38

30 weeks ago32:38

32:38

In this webinar, Kristin Gyure and Katie Jones present an overview of Direct Instruction and their best teaching practices for meaningful and effective engagement and learning. Mrs. Gyure received a B.A. in Child Development and Family Studies from the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill. She serves as Assistant Head of School at Thales Academy Wake Forest. Mrs. Jones served as the Head of School for the Thales Academy Cary campus and now serves as a Direct Instruction consultant and coach.…

Developing Classical Thinkers

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Character Education, Virtue, and Super Habits | Robert Luddy & Winston Brady 54:42

30 weeks ago54:42

54:42

Virtue refers to the habits of moral excellence, something that cannot necessarily be taught but classical educators must try and incorporate into their lessons each and everyday. To this end, Robert Luddy and Winston Brady provide this webinar for our character education program, the need to teach virtue and character formation, and a book to aid in the pursuit of noble character, "Super Habits" by Andrew Abela. "Super Habits: The Universal System for a Successful Life" was written by Andrew Abela, Dean of the Busch School of Business at the Catholic University of America. In a culture that prioritizes short-term fixes over long-term solutions, "Super Habits" offers a foundational, back-to-basics plan that produces both immediate and enduring results. Whatever issue you are struggling with right now, whatever challenge you may be facing, there is a super habit to help you overcome it. Dr. Abela equips readers with the tools needed to embrace the lifelong pursuit of self-improvement to attain a life of greater ease, joy, and strength. Dr. Andrew Abela is the founding dean of the Busch School of Business at the Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C. His award-winning, widely cited research on integrity and effectiveness in business has been published in several academic journals and in three books. Dr. Abela speaks to business leaders around the world about cultivating the super habits of success in themselves and in their organizations. Interested in teaching at Thales Academy? Please check out our website if you are interested in pursuing a career at Thales Academy and learning about needs across our network. Find out more at https://www.thalesacademy.org/contact/careers.…

Developing Classical Thinkers

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Lessons from the Great Naturalists | Matt Ogle 49:14

30 weeks ago49:14

49:14

There is great power in our ability to observe the world around us. We must make time to stop and see, for we never know when a small observation leads to a great encounter with truth. Students need to be trained in the way to discover truth by developing the naturalists ability to take an interest in what they can observe. Naturalists like John Muir, Wendell Berry, Jacques Cousteau and Dian Fossey can show us all how to have greater appreciation for the world. Matthew Ogle received a B.S. in Marine Biology from Swansea University in Wales and a M.Ed. in Educational Leadership from Grand Canyon University in Phoenix. Mr. Ogle serves as Head of Classical Education for all campuses. This lecture was delivered live at the Fall Classical Summit, a regional classical conference held at Thales Academy Rolesville Junior High-High School on October 4, 2024. Interested in teaching at Thales Academy? Please check out our website if you are interested in pursuing a career at Thales Academy and learning about needs across our network. Find out more at https://www.thalesacademy.org/contact.…

Developing Classical Thinkers

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The Heights Forum Recap 29:40

31 weeks ago29:40

29:40

Conferences for teachers tend to be "mountaintop" experiences. These events are fruitful times of learning and reflection on the art of teaching and why the task of education is so vitally important today. On this episode of Developing Classical Thinkers, Winston Brady interviews three Thales staff members about their recent experience traveling to Potomac, Maryland and attending the Heights Forum, a conference for classical educators. Anthony Batalla, Tim McDonald, and Marc Chiurco share about their experience and the lessons they picked up while at this great event hosted by the Heights School. More information can be found at https://heightsforum.org/about/. The Heights Forum is a department of The Heights School. We assist parents, school leaders, and teachers in their own efforts to educate boys into men fully alive. Through in-person and digital resources we share our experience in forming the hearts and minds of boys, and invite you to join the conversation.…

Developing Classical Thinkers

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Is Christmas Classical? 43:42

32 weeks ago43:42

43:42

Is Christmas "classical"? And by "classical," we mean an idea, a book, a value, an institution, or an ideal originating in the ancient world vivified by the Judeo-Christian tradition during the medieval period. In this episode, Winston Brady, Josh Herring, and Will Begley discuss the joys and difficulties of the Christmas season, where the holiday originated from, what the day truly means, and some ideas to reflect on and celebrate.…

Developing Classical Thinkers

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Merry Christmas, Everyone! 3:47

33 weeks ago3:47

3:47

Classical education strives to preserve the past to give hope for the future. We recognize that the more we know about the past, the more confident our hope is that the future will be better, brighter, and more full of the joy and opportunities we hope to see in the world. The Christmas season is a particularly important time to reflect on such things, given the distance between what Christmas is and what Christmas has become–a byword for a shopping season that if you include the time needed to return unwanted gifts, stretches from Thanksgiving to New Year’s Eve. This Christmas, don’t celebrate with empty materialism but give gifts in imitation of the God who gave Himself. Now that’s a reason to celebrate! Special thanks to Josh Herring and Shawn Crownover for contributing to this episode. Merry Christmas, everyone! Today's theme music is available under the following terms: Hark! The Herald Angels Sing by Dee Yan-Key is licensed under a Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License .…

Developing Classical Thinkers

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The Nature of Epic 1:10:32

35 weeks ago1:10:32

1:10:32

An epic poem is by definition, a long poem on themes of universal importance. Every culture seemingly has one of its own, but a few have risen to the top as being one of a handful of epics that are must-reads on every Great Books program. In this episode, host Winston Brady speaks with Anthony Esolen about epic poetry and what makes an epic, epic. Anthony Esolen is the Distinguished Professor of Humanities at Thales College. Dr. Esolen has been a professor of literature and humanities for 35 years and is the author or translator of more than 30 books, which include a range of English translations, analyses of culture, literary and Biblical criticisms, meditations on modern education, meditations on the Christian life, and original poetry.…

Developing Classical Thinkers

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Success in Circuit Lies | Chelsea Wagenaar, Fall Classical Summit 2024 44:56

35 weeks ago44:56

44:56

In this lecture, Dr. Chelsea Wagenaar offers her insights into leading robust discussions and explore common pitfalls to leading a good discussion in a literature (or other humanities) course, as well as numerous strategies to get students comfortable, talking, and invested in the material. Dr. Wagenaar also looked at ways teachers can respond to students during discussion and work to overcome any possible nerves about the "unpredictable" nature of student discussion. Dr. Wagenaar received a B.A. in English from the University of Virginia and a Ph.D. in English from the University of North Texas. She teaches Literature and Trivium.…

Developing Classical Thinkers

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The CCEP Program at Thales College 40:24

36 weeks ago40:24

40:24

In this episode, Winston Brady and Josh Herring discuss about the Certificate in Classical Education Program at Thales College. CCEP for short, this is a certificate program that teaches the unique purposes and goals behind classical education, allowing classical educators to excel in their field and help their students to fulfill their potential. The Certificate in Classical Education Philosophy (CCEP) program consists of eight courses taken in any order (details below), culminating in a certificate. Each course is offered with the following model: participants are in cohorts of up to twelve; class is held through Google Meet; at each meeting, participants are led in a seminar discussion of a text read the previous week in preparation for the class. Each class meets five times over nine weeks. The certificate is earned upon completion of all eight courses (expected to be completed over two years). The classical renewal movement is growing at incredible speed, and the movement needs teachers and leaders who understand why we do what we do. We invite you to join us! This program is free of charge to Thales Academy teachers and administrators. For those outside of Thales Academy, each course carries a $300 course fee. Check out https://www.thalescollege.org/academics/philosophy for more information or email Josh Herring at josh.herring@thalescollege.org…

Developing Classical Thinkers

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Happy Thanksgiving! 3:21

37 weeks ago3:21

3:21

According to tradition, the first Thanksgiving was celebrated at Plymouth Plantation in 1621. 102 settlers had crossed the Atlantic on board the Mayflower and landed off the coast of Cape Cod. They did not call themselves pilgrims, but the word pilgrim–meaning someone who undertakes a long, difficult journey for a spiritual purpose–is the best way, perhaps the only way, to describe these settlers and their mission. They hoped to establish a colony whose laws, practices, and mores derived from the Bible and might be, one day, a shining city on a hill, as later migrant John Winthrop described their errand in the wilderness. We wish all the listeners of Developing Classical Thinkers a happy Thanksgiving!…

Developing Classical Thinkers

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Teaching as Apprenticeship | Noah Kelley, Fall Classical Summit, 2024 40:37

37 weeks ago40:37

40:37

Teaching is more than information transfer; it involves personal formation and imparting a "way of being" toward your subject matter (and, ideally, toward life in general). This formative approach is in line with both certain approaches to teaching that can be found in certain examples of both ancient and modern pedagogy. It can open up new vistas for students and teachers alike, as will be demonstrated with examples from middle-school Latin. Dr. Kelley received a B.A. from Carolina University and an M.Div. and Ph.D. from Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary. He teaches Latin and Trivium.…

Developing Classical Thinkers

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"Principles of Science Education" with Tom Hardy 20:09

38 weeks ago20:09

20:09

In this episode, science and educational consultant Tom Hardy looks at a brief overview of science and science education in the United States since World War II. Tom Hardy is a friend of Thales Academy and Thales Press, working as a consultant for mathematics and science curricula. He holds a bachelor's degree in chemistry and has done graduate work at the University of Chicago in mathematics education. He has worked as a teacher and headmaster in private schools for over 20 years. He is also versed in construction and mechanical trades. He is the author of a new textbook, "Physical Science and Technology," and has written articles on various issues in education.…

Developing Classical Thinkers

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The Austrians on Inflation, Price Controls, and Tariffs | Brian Balfour | Fall Classical Summit 2024 38:37

39 weeks ago38:37

38:37

In this session, Brian Balfour will look at issues making headlines in the news such as inflation, price controls, and tariffs. He will explain how and why inflation sets in, why price controls create shortages of vital goods and services, and why tariffs help create cartels and higher prices passed onto consumers. Lastly, Mr. Balfour will present why free markets offer a better alternative as prescribed by the Austrian School of Economics. Brian Balfour is Senior Vice President of Research for the John Locke Foundation, where he oversees the organization’s research and analysis on a variety of issues. He previously worked for the Civitas Institute for 13 years, and has a master’s degree in economics from Wayne State University in Detroit, MI. He specializes in fiscal policy issues and is also the author of the book “Economics in Action,” which teaches the free-market principles of the ‘Austrian School’ of economics. This lecture was delivered live at the Fall Classical Summit, a regional classical conference held at Thales Academy Rolesville Junior High-High School on October 4, 2024. Want to read more of Brian Balfour's work? Interested in economics taught from this perspective? Need a textbook that helps students see the vital principles and intuition behind economic concepts? Check out Brian Balfour's "Economics in Action," a high school economics textbook based on the principles of the Austrian School of Economics, available here: https://amzn.to/3W4cmZs…

Developing Classical Thinkers

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The Great American Novel 37:29

39 weeks ago37:29

37:29

For American writers, there is something of a quest in American literature to write the great American novel. Such a work would typify the American experience in the same way Homer's epics or Virgil's "Aeneid" did for ancient Greece and Rome, respectively. And while there are many great American novels, there is not one unquestioned work that earns this distinguished honor. Mark Twain, John Steinbeck, Ernest Hemingway, F. Scott Fitzgerald and more have written works commonly lauded as the "great American novel," but have they gotten there? Is the issue settled? What is the great American novel? For English teachers, we have the same quest to, at least, identify such a work. In this episode of DCT, Winston Brady speaks with literature teachers Ali Graziosi, Christina Salinas, and Chelsea Wagenaar, and head of classical education Matt Ogle. Each participant makes a pitch for the book they think is the "Great American novel" and why, along with the criteria as to why they picked that work and not others. What do you think of our criteria? Or of our picks? Did we leave any works out? Be sure to let us in the comments section on your favorite podcasting platform.…

Developing Classical Thinkers

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The Lost Culture of Learning & Three Roads Forward | Ryan Olson | Fall Classical Summit, 2024 44:39

40 weeks ago44:39

44:39

The keynote address from the Fall Classical Summit, 2024. In this talk, Dr. Ryan Olson examines the value of classical education and the role the study of great books and great ideas contributes to the formation of great character. to resist the sweep of impoverished influences by nurturing your personal and professional soul in the moral sources of the rich Classical tradition we have inherited. Dr. Ryan Olson is the Director of the Institute for Advanced Studies in Culture at the University of Virginia. A classicist, Olson’s scholarship has focused on the literary, historical, religious, and cultural context of the Levant from the Roman era through Late Antiquity. This lecture was delivered live at the Fall Classical Summit, a regional classical conference held at Thales Academy Rolesville Junior High-High School on October 4, 2024. Interested in teaching at Thales Academy? Please check out our website if you are interested in pursuing a career at Thales Academy and learning about needs across our network. Find out more at https://www.thalesacademy.org/contact/careers.…

Developing Classical Thinkers

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A History of Election Day 12:03

40 weeks ago12:03

12:03

In 1845, Congress passed a law designating the first Tuesday in November as election day. Henceforth, the nation would vote every four years for a Presidential candidate, members of the House of Representatives, and, depending on the year, a suite of Senate candidates, with elections for other offices occurring in by-years depending on the state and the locality. The act of voting each year is often seen as the bare minimum of a citizen’s political participation. Voting is indeed an important, sacred trust that American citizens from age 18 upwards should not take for granted, for the vast majority of people across the world do not get a say in their “elected" officials or the policies that their leaders carry out. Voting is neither the floor nor the ceiling of our political participation. Indeed, it is just one more thing we do to “keep” our republic, to quote an oft-told story from Benjamin Franklin at the close of the Constitutional Convention. At the end of the convention, a local Philadelphia resident asked Benjamin Franklin: “Well Doctor, what have we got? A republic or a monarchy? She asked. At this, Franklin quipped, “A republic!...If you can keep it!” Franklin’s reply is a reminder: a republican government (like that of the United States) needs its citizens to have virtue, those “habits of moral excellence” if we are to keep our republic--and virtue lies at the heart of classical education and of our responsibility as citizens in the greatest country in the world. Let us not take this responsibility lightly but do our duty to keep the freedoms we have been entrusted with.…

Developing Classical Thinkers

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Is Halloween Classical? 35:10

41 weeks ago35:10

35:10

Why do we dedicate one night of the year to wearing costumes and asking for candy? How did such an odd holiday become an established part of the American calendar? Should students at a classical school be celebrating such a holiday? Is Halloween classical? In this episode, Winston Brady and Josh Herring talk through the ways Halloween may or may not be classical. Halloween largely derives from the Catholic feast day of All Saints’ Day and All Hallow’s Eve, celebrated on a day that the ancient, pagan Irish used to celebrate a holiday called Samhain (pronounced, saa-wn ). In one sense, perhaps, Halloween is classical. Herein, we have a pagan holiday absorbed by a Christian feast day so that the occasion for gathering together and celebrating still remains–even if its dark undertones are obscured. Much of what we call classical education focuses on the relationship between Jerusalem and Athens (and Rome, for that matter). Think of the city of Rome, full of obelisks taken from pagan Egypt which the Catholic Church crowned with Christian crosses, symbolizing the Christian world’s triumph over the forces of paganism. But of course today, those Christian overtones are largely missing from Halloween. Now, the night is a chance to escape one’s identity, eat gobs of candy, and perhaps engage in mischief–elements that are most likely, not classical, in the sense of classical education’s emphasis on virtue. Good character is what you do when no one is looking over your shoulder, a voluntary act of the will to pursue what is good, true, and beautiful. After all, classical education emphasizes human dignity and gratitude for the way that God created you. Classical education emphasizes self-control and personal responsibility, so one should never eat too much candy in one sitting, regardless of the day. Also, classical education emphasizes traditional morality and love of neighbor, so we would never encourage, tolerate, or promote the toilet papering of trees or the smashing of pumpkins. The mischievous elements of Halloween are in that way, uniquely unclassical. So, this Halloween, if you go out and get candy, be safe. If you wear a costume, put some thought into it so that it’s clever and whole, both ingenious and ingenuous at the same time–not merely a costume you bought online. Be safe, and resist the temptation to engage in those Halloween pranks that do nothing to cultivate what is good, true, and beautiful. And be aware of the background of some of the elements of Halloween–the spooky, ghostly elements–that might make for an interesting discussion with friends. Indeed, they may be the best argument for staying inside on Halloween and just reading a good ghost story. We can acknowledge some reasonable, healthy religious impulses in existing pagan traditions and in the way described in the episode, “baptize” them. All the while though, we should, of course, recognize the ghastly, unnatural, and evil impulses and reject those elements of the holiday. A classical education should equip us to choose what is good and persuade others to choose what is good, too–and such things aren’t thrown out just because it’s Halloween.…

Developing Classical Thinkers

1
Model Seminar: Quintilian's "Education of an Orator" 55:53

42 weeks ago55:53