Panel Discussion: What Makes a School Classical?

Guests

• Dr. Matthew Post:  Founder and Former Director of the Classical Education Graduate program at The University of Dallas; Served with The National Classical Education Symposium, The Institute for Classical Education, and The National Council for Classical Educators; Currently serves as Assistant Dean of Academic Affairs, Honors College at The University of Tulsa
• Dr. Laura Eidt: University of Dallas- Affiliate Assistant Professor of Modern Languages, Humanities Program Director, Director of UD's K-5 Latin Curriculum Latin Through Stories
• Dr. Robert Terry: Over 25 years at a Classical University Model School teaching and serving as curriculum director and faculty development, Masters in Great Books, Doctorate of Theology (ThD in Inkling Studies)
• Jonathan Fiore: Formerly homeschooled, Graduate of Hillsdale, Masters in Classical Education from The University of Dallas, Humanities Teacher at Holy Innocent's Catholic School

Topics Covered

• What are the essential criteria for a school to be considered classical?
• There are 4 touchstones that make up a classical education: Christ-centered, cultivation of wisdom and virtue, appreticeship in the 7 liberal arts, and a focus on the timeless and traditional
• Community and leadership must have an understanding of the tradition for success
• Atmosphere is central to the success -- order and harmony (beauty) is really important
• Are the following things necessary?- Great Books, Socratic Dialogue, integration of subjects, Charlotte Mason, Trivium & Quadrivium, Latin? 
• Love and freedom are at the heart of classical education
• Does reading the classics or teaching ancient Greek history automatically define your school as "classical"?
• Are we preparing students to see themselves as part of a community and a country?
• How ought we assess students if education is rooted in love and liberty?-- What does the research tell us about good and bad ways to assess students?
• What are some common roadblock in classical education?
• Memory work should be meaningful rather than rote fact chants
• Seminars
• Formation of teachers and parents is necessary 

Resources we Discussed:

• Paradox of Education in a Republic by Eva Brann
• Jefferson's Natural Aristocracy
• Homer's Iliad and Odyssey

What is a book or poem that every classical teacher and board member should read?

• The Liberal Arts Tradition by Clark and Jain
• Plato's Gorgias
• The Awakening of Miss Prim by Natalia Sanmartin Fenollera
• Homer's Iliad (Fagles or Lattimore translation)
• Abolition of Man by C.S. Lewis
• Paradox of Education in a Republic by Eva Brann

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Credits:
Sound Engineer: Andrew Helsel
Logo Art: Anastasiya CF
Music: Vivaldi's Concerto for 2 Violins in B flat major, RV529 : Lana Trotovsek, violin Sreten Krstic, violin with Chamber Orchestra of Slovenian Philharmonic
 
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