Summary

In this episode, Shannon Valenzuela, Dr. Jeff Lehman, and Dr. Andrew Seeley explore the retrieval of the quadrivium and its significance in classical education, particularly in mathematics and science. They discuss their personal journeys in mathematics, the transformative power of the quadrivium, and the importance of integrating imagination and reason in learning. They emphasize the need for a community of educators to foster a deeper understanding of these subjects, and offer suggestions for teaching. The discussion also touches on the moral implications of education and the beauty inherent in mathematics and the arts.

Topics Covered:

• The creative retrieval of the Quadrivium
• The Quadrivium and the formation of the intellect and imagination
• The importance of fellowship among teachers
• Beauty and structure are integral to the arts and sciences.
• The Quadrivium and its contribution to moral formation

Today's Guests:

Jeffrey S. Lehman is co-founder and Dean of Fellows at the Boethius Institute and Professor of Philosophy and Theology and Director of the M.A. in Catholic Education program at the Augustine Institute’s Graduate School of Theology. He is the founder and President of the Arts of Liberty Project, a Founding Fellow of the Center for Thomas More Studies, and he has taught at Biola University, Thomas Aquinas College, Hillsdale College, and the University of Dallas. He is the author of numerous publications, including Socratic Conversation: Bringing the Dialogues of Plato and the Socratic Tradition into Today’s Classroom.

Andrew Seeley is co-founder and President of the Boethius Institute. He also serves as the Director of Advanced Formation for Educators at the Augustine Institute. Over his three decades as a Tutor at Thomas Aquinas College in California, Dr. Seeley taught every subject in its integrated Great Books curriculum. Dr. Seeley co-founded the Institute for Catholic Liberal Education in 2005, where he served as Executive Director for 12 years. He became Executive Director of the Arts of Liberty Project in 2021. He was named the 2023 recipient of the Circe Institute’s Paideia Prize.

Timestamps:

00:00 Introduction to the Quadrivium and the Boethius Institute
03:21 The Creative Retrieval of the Quadrivium
07:16 The Importance of the Quadrivium in Classical Education
12:09 Transformative Experiences in Teaching the Quadrivium
16:27 Understanding the Four Arts of the Quadrivium
20:52 The Role of Imagination in the Quadrivium
23:23 The Interplay of Reason and Imagination
33:46 Mathematics and Moral Formation
39:18 Reimagining Mathematics Education
43:38 Favorite Resources
48:11 Conclusion

University of Dallas Links:

• Classical Education Master’s Program at the University of Dallas: udallas.edu/classical-ed
• St. Ambrose Center Professional Development for Teachers and Administrators: https://k12classical.udallas.edu/

Resources Mentioned in Today's Episode:

More on the Quadrivium Retrieval: https://quadriviumretrieval.org/

Francis Su, Mathematics for Human Flourishing

Stratford Caldecott, Beauty for Truth's Sake

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Summary

In this conversation, Shannon Valenzuela and John Mays explore the principles of teaching science classically. They discuss the importance of beauty to the work of education, the importance of textbook design, and the need for a mastery-oriented curriculum that emphasizes long-term retention of knowledge. Mays introduces his Wonder-Integration-Mastery model for science education, which serves as a framework for teaching that integrates various disciplines and fosters the development of wisdom and virtue in students. The conversation highlights the role of teachers in modeling honesty and virtue, and the importance of effective communication in the classroom.

Topics Covered:

• The role of beauty and wonder in education
• Textbook design
• The Wonder-Integration-Mastery model in education
• Integration of disciplines enriches the learning experience
• The end of a classical education: wisdom and virtue
• Self-reflection and modeling for teachers

Today's Guest:

John D. Mays spent 14 years in industry in engineering and engineering management in the areas of electrical, controls, and telecommunications systems and has completed graduate degrees in Secondary Education (MEd) and Liberal Arts (MLA). John served as the Math-Science Department Chair at Regents School of Austin from 2001 until 2009, when he became Director of the Laser Optics Lab at Regents. He founded Novare Science in 2009 and Centripetal Press in 2015, both of which became part of Classical Academic Press in 2019. John is the author and editor of numerous student science texts and teacher resources.

Timestamps:

00:00 Introduction
04:24 Introduction to Science Education and Curriculum Development
06:18 The Cram-Pass-Forget Cycle
11:39 Mastery-Based Teaching Model
13:55 Textbook Design Philosophy
17:41 The Importance of Beauty in the Education Environment
23:05 Wonder, Integration, and Mastery in Science Education
34:38 Distinctions between Modern and Classical Education
40:40 The Importance of Self-Reflection for Teachers
53:21 Modeling Virtue: The Teacher's Role
55:28 Conclusion

University of Dallas Links:

• Classical Education Master’s Program at the University of Dallas: udallas.edu/classical-ed
• St. Ambrose Center Professional Development for Teachers and Administrators: https://k12classical.udallas.edu/

Resources Mentioned in Today's Episode:

From Wonder to Mastery: A Transformative Model for Science Education

Centripetal Press: https://centripetalpress.com/

Novare Science (Classical Academic Press): https://classicalacademicpress.com/collections/novare-science

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Summary

In this conversation, Shannon Valenzuela, Robert Puschautz, and AnneMarie Johnson explore the profound role of art in education, emphasizing its ability to connect beauty with truth and goodness. They discuss the artist's vocation as a divine calling, the importance of constraints in fostering creativity, and how beauty serves as a powerful tool for evangelization. The conversation also highlights the necessity of creating beautiful learning environments and integrating art into various subjects, and the deep desire for human authenticity in the age of AI.

Resources & Links:

• Stabat Mater Foundation

Topics Covered:

• Art and teaching students to appreciate beauty
• The vocation of the artist
• Art and evangelization
• Beauty and our environment
• The rise of AI and the desire for authentic human experiences

Today's Guests:

Robert Puschautz is a representational artist based out of Tyler, Texas. He received his bachelor’s in Painting and Art Education from the University of Illinois in Urbana-Champaign and continued his studies in classical painting at the Ravenswood Atelier in Chicago. He is the Executive Director of Stabat Mater Foundation, a nonprofit whose mission is the renewal of beauty in our world and culture by praying for and supporting artists. To see more of his work visit robertpuschautz.weebly.com.

AnneMarie Johnson’s work focuses on the relationship between finitude and transcendence in the human experience. She graduated from the University of Dallas in 2018 with a B.A. in Art - Painting. In 2024 she completed the three-year Classical drawing and painting program at the Lyme Academy of Fine Arts. Additional studies include classical drawing at the Florence Academy of Art, U.S., and graduate painting and art history at the University of Dallas (2021). AnneMarie is currently the Art Fellow and an instructor of drawing at the Stabat Mater Foundation in Tyler, TX.

Timestamps:

02:26 The Mission of the Stabat Mater Foundation
04:18 Bringing Beauty into Education
06:49 Art as a Reflection of Divine Creation
12:02 Art as a Means of Evangelization
22:27 Co-Creating with God: Integrating Beauty and Intellect
24:48 Training Discernment: Truth, Goodness, and Beauty
28:33 Bringing Art into the Classroom
33:30 The Human Connection: Art in the Age of Technology

University of Dallas Links:

• The Way of Beauty (Season Two, The Quest television series): quest.udallas.edu
• Classical Education Master’s Program at the University of Dallas: udallas.edu/classical-ed
• St. Ambrose Center Professional Development for Teachers and Administrators: https://k12classical.udallas.edu/

Resources Mentioned in Today's Episode:

Ever Ancient, Ever New: Art History, Appreciation, Theory, and Practice, Level One (Grades 5-9)

Ever Ancient, Ever New: Art History, Appreciation, Theory, and Practice, Level Two (Grades 7-12)

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Summary

In this conversation, Shannon Valenzuela interviews Dr. Joe Carlson, a University of Dallas alumnus and translator of Dante Alighieri's Divine Comedy. They discuss his journey into the world of Dante, focusing on the personal nature of translation and the importance of delight in education. He emphasizes the role of enthusiasm in teaching, the art of translation, and the significance of medieval cosmology in understanding both literature and the sacramental nature of reality. The conversation also explores the distinction between contemplation and analysis in education, advocating for a more immersive and engaging approach to teaching classical texts.

Resources & Links:

• Dr. Carlson's Dante translation and curriculum: dantepoem.com
• Dr. Carlson's editions of John Milton's Paradise Lost and Paradise Regained: miltonpoem.com

Topics Covered:

• Delight as the key to a lasting educational experience
• The process of translating The Divine Comedy
• Medieval cosmology and the sacramental nature of reality
• Practical tips on teaching epic works
• Practical tips on teaching translation in language courses

Today's Guest:

Dr. Joe Carlson lives in Moscow, Idaho with his wife and son. He graduated from New Saint Andrews College with a BA in Liberal Arts in Culture, and from the University of Dallas with an MA in Humanities and a PhD in Literature. He has managed a chain of coffee shops, published (micro) epic poetry, co-pastored a church, co-founded a university campus ministry, and taught many different kinds of classes over the years. Currently, he is an adjunct lecturer at New Saint Andrews College, a humanities teacher with Logos Online School, and a curriculum developer at Roman Roads Press. He is the author of, among other things, the Dante Curriculum, which includes an original blank verse translation of The Divine Comedy, published by Roman Roads.

Timestamps:

00:00 Introduction to Joe Carlson and His Work

08:11 Delight as a Key Ingredient in Learning

17:46 The Teacher as a Leading Learner

21:39 The Process of Translation and Its Challenges

31:32 The Influence of C.S. Lewis and Medieval Cosmology

38:47 Practical Tips for Teaching Dante

45:02 Contemplation and Immersion in Teaching Literary Texts

University of Dallas Links:

• Classical Education Master’s Program at the University of Dallas: udallas.edu/classical-ed
• St. Ambrose Center Professional Development for Teachers and Administrators: https://k12classical.udallas.edu/

Books Mentioned in Today's Episode

Dante Alighieri, The Divine Comedy, translated by Dr. Joe Carlson.

John Milton, Paradise Lost and Paradise Regained, edited by Dr. Joe Carlson.

C.S. Lewis, "Meditation in a Tool Shed"

C.S. Lewis, The Voyage of the Dawn Treader

Michael Ward, Planet Narnia

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Summary

In this conversation, Shannon Valenzuela interviews Mandi Gerth, the author of the new book Thoroughness & Charm: Cultivating the Habits of a Classical Classroom. They explore the principles of classical education, focusing on the importance of classroom management, the role of joy and order in learning, and the integration of the imagination and the intellect. They discuss how embodiment and enculturation can enhance the learning experience and delve into the significance of liturgy in the classroom, the concept of ordered loves, and the teacher's role as a lifelong learner. The discussion also touches on insights from Machiavelli regarding classroom management and the importance of establishing authority while fostering a love for learning.

Resources & Links:

• Mandi's Website: https://mrsgerthteaches.com/
• Thoroughness and Charm - CiRCE Institute

Topics Covered:

• Embodiment and enculturation in classical education
• Classroom management
• The formation of the intellect, the imagination, and the heart
• The importance of joy and order in education
• Classroom liturgies and catechisms

Guest:

Mandi Gerth is a teacher and classical education consultant who lives in Dallas, Texas. She currently serves as the Administrative Director of the Cowan Center at the University of Dallas. She holds a master of humanities degree from the University of Dallas with a concentration in classical education. Her first book, Thoroughness & Charm is now available from CiRCE Press. You can find Mandi on LinkedIn, Substack, and Instagram (@mrsgerthteaches).

Timestamps:

00:00 Introduction
02:08 Introduction to Mandi and her work
04:20 Enculturation and the Role of Tradition
05:28 Liturgical Classroom Practices
11:59 Ordered Loves and Their Significance in Education
22:53 Reconnecting with the Joy of Teaching
26:34 The Role of Lifelong Learning in Teaching
30:24 Critical Thinking and Student Engagement
34:39 Classroom Management Insights from Machiavelli
38:33 Balancing Order and Joy in the Classroom

UD Links

• Classical Education Master’s Program at the University of Dallas: udallas.edu/classical-ed
• St. Ambrose Center Professional Development for Teachers and Administrators: https://k12classical.udallas.edu/

Books Mentioned in Today's Episode

Charles Taylor, Modern Social Imaginaries

Karen Swallow Prior, Evangelical Imagination

Joshua Gibbs, Something They Will Not Forget

David Hicks, Norms & Nobility

Donald Cowan, Unbinding Prometheus

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If you enjoyed the show, please leave a rating and review — it helps others find us!

Summary

In this conversation, Shannon Valenzuela interviews Charity Hill, an 11th grade integrated humanities instructor for Valor North Austin and host of the Bright Wings podcast on children's literature. They discuss the importance of discernment in selecting children's literature, the interconnectedness of truth, goodness, and beauty, and the transformative power of reading. Charity shares her experiences as a teacher and podcaster, emphasizing that children's literature is not just for children but holds profound significance for readers of all ages. The conversation highlights the role of literature in shaping values and understanding the human experience.

Resources & Links:

• Charity's Website and Podcast: https://www.brightwingschildrensbooks.com/
• Charity's Literature Discernment Worksheet

Topics Covered:

• Discernment in children's literature
• Children's literature as formation
• Truth, goodness, and beauty in literature
• The benefits of reading aloud together
• Children's books that aren't just for children

Guest:

Charity Andrzejewski Hill is a 2002 University of Dallas graduate, where she majored in English. After graduating, Charity did youth and family ministry in Canada and Ireland and then earned a masters of theology at the Pontifical John Paul II Institute for Studies on Marriage an Family. She is married to Conor Hill for almost 18 years and together they have four children. Charity started a podcast in 2020 on children's literature, and she authors the Family Supplement for Well-Read Mom, pairing children's literature with the material the women read each month. She also contributes yearly to the publication Magnificat. What currently dominates her time and her thoughts are her 11th grade students, to whom she teaches integrated humanities at the public charter school Valor North Austin.

Timestamps:

00:00 Introduction

04:41 Evaluating Children's Literature

06:43 Truth, Goodness, and Beauty in Literature

08:36 Moral Clarity in Children's Books

10:57 The Significance of Children's Literature

12:25 Beauty in Literature and Its Impact

14:19 The Role of Beauty in Action

16:15 The Long Gaze: Discernment in Literature

22:06 Children's Literature Beyond Childhood

27:10 Literature and Formation

30:14 Transformative Books from Childhood

34:08 The Importance of Slowing Down in Reading

36:11 Teaching 11th Grade Literature

41:56 Conclusion

UD Links

• Classical Education Master’s Program at the University of Dallas: udallas.edu/classical-ed
• St. Ambrose Center Professional Development for Teachers and Administrators: https://k12classical.udallas.edu/

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Summary

In this engaging conversation, Dr. Junius Johnson discusses the significance of fairy stories in cultivating wonder and imagination within classical education. He emphasizes the transformative power of fantastical narratives, drawing parallels with C.S. Lewis's Narnia and the importance of teachers as guides in exploring these realms. The dialogue explores how fairy stories can enrich the curriculum, broaden literary canons, and foster a love for learning through delight and engagement. We also discuss how to choose books for your curriculum, and what question you must ask of every text before it goes on your syllabus.

Topics Covered

• The role of fairy stories in a classical curriculum
• Fairy stories and the art of seeing
• Building a culture of wonder and exploration in the classroom
• The teacher as tour guide through worlds of wonder
• Curriculum design and choosing a book list

Today's Guest

Dr. Junius Johnson is a writer, teacher, speaker, independent scholar, and musician. He is currently the executive director of Junius Johnson Academics, through which he offers innovative classes for both children and adults based in cutting edge scholarship that aim to ignite student hearts with wonder and intellectual rigor. Junius has scholarly expertise in philosophical and historical theology, especially the Medieval period, and in Classical and Medieval literature. His constructive work focuses on beauty, imagination, and wonder, and how these are at play in the Christian and Classical intellectual traditions. He holds a BA from Oral Roberts University, a Master of Arts in Religion from Yale Divinity School, and an MA, two MPhils, and a PhD from Yale University. He is the author of 5
books, including On Teaching Fairy Stories: A Guide to Cultivating Wonder in Students. He is also a professional french horn player and founder and horn emeritus for the quintet Brass.

Chapters

• 00:00 Introduction
• 02:56 Defining Fairy Stories vs. Fairy Tales
• 04:48 Engaging Students Through Creative Expression
• 28:58 Building a Supportive Classroom Culture
• 30:45 The Power of Fantastical Literature
• 37:08 Evaluating Fairy Tales in Education
• 41:59 Connecting Classical Literature with Fantasy
• 46:12 The Role of Delight in Learning
• 47:30 Teachers as Guides in the Learning Adventure
• 50:52 Conclusion

Resources & Links

• Read On Teaching Fairy Stories: https://www.amazon.com/dp/1600514928/
• Find out more about Junius Johnson here: https://www.juniusjohnson.com/
• Hear more from Junius here: The Classical Mind podcast and the All Things Wild and Wonderful podcast
• Take courses with Junius here: Junius Johnson Academics

More from the University of Dallas:

• Classical Education Master’s Program at the University of Dallas: udallas.edu/classical-ed
• St. Ambrose Center Professional Development for Teachers and Administrators: https://k12classical.udallas.edu/

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If you enjoyed the show, please leave a rating and review — it helps others find us!

Summary

In this episode, we explore the profound purpose of education, emphasizing the importance of human flourishing, the role of wonder and beauty in learning, and the necessity of fostering imagination in students. We discuss some of the challenges faced by educators today and the need for community among teachers. The conversation highlights the integral connection between joy, wonder, and the holistic development of both students and teachers in the educational journey.

Topics Covered:

• Education and human flourishing
• The holistic vision of knowledge
• The poetic mode of learning, which engages the heart and imagination
• The importance of wonder, beauty, and the imagination in education
• The need for community and friendship among teachers

Guests:

Since his priestly ordination in 1985, Bishop James D. Conley has served the Catholic Church in a wide variety of ways—as pastor, college campus chaplain, director of Respect Life ministries, theology instructor, Vatican official and bishop. In all of these tasks, he has seen his life as a priest as a call to service and complete surrender to "God’s providential hand." For his episcopal motto, Bishop Conley, a convert to the Catholic faith, chose the same motto as the great 19th-century English convert, John Henry Cardinal Newman, "cor ad cor loquitur," which means "heart speaks to heart." On Sept. 14, 2012, Pope Benedict XVI appointed Bishop Conley as the bishop of the Lincoln Diocese in Nebraska. He was installed as the ninth Bishop of Lincoln on Nov. 20, 2012.

Timestamps:

00:00 Introduction
05:44 The Human Person and Education
08:39 The Role of Wonder in Education
12:38 Faith and Science: A Harmonious Relationship
15:58 The Poetic Imagination and Education
27:02 Mental Health and the Modern Generation
33:13 Engaging the Senses in Learning
34:19 Teacher Burnout and Finding Joy in Teaching
38:25 The Role of Humility in Teaching
40:36 The Human Element in Education
41:04 The Journey of Learning Together

Resources & Links:

Bishop Conley's Pastoral Letter on Mental Health (2024): https://www.lincolndiocese.org/afuturewithhope

Bishop Conley's Pastoral Letter on Catholic Education (2024): https://www.lincolndiocese.org/joyandwonder

Classical Education Master’s Program at the University of Dallas: udallas.edu/classical-ed

St. Ambrose Center Professional Development for Teachers and Administrators: https://k12classical.udallas.edu/

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