Hillsdale College K-12 Classical Education Podcast

4.9 (132)
EDUCATION
UPDATED WEEKLY

A 20-minute podcast featuring professors, K-12 teachers, and friends of Hillsdale College, all speaking about classical education—what it is, why it’s still relevant today, and what makes it unique. Hosted by Scot Bertram.

5D AGO

Kathleen O'Toole & James Hankins: The Golden Thread & Teaching the Western Tradition

Kathleen O’Toole, associate vice president for K-12 Education at Hillsdale College, is joined by James Hankins to discuss the first volume of his co-authored series of textbooks, The Golden Thread: A History of the Western Tradition, and the importance of classical education. James Hankins is a visiting professor of humanities at the Hamilton School for Classical and Civic Education at the University of Florida. Learn more: https://k12.hillsdale.edu/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

57 min
FEB 9

Modeling Excellent Instruction: Hillsdale’s Master Teacher Program

Julie Apel, assistant headmaster at Hillsdale Academy in Hillsdale, Michigan, joins host Scot Bertram to discuss Hillsdale’s Master Teacher Program, what makes a teacher a master teacher, and how the program aligns with classical education principles and best practices. Learn more: https://k12.hillsdale.edu/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

17 min
FEB 2

Beyond Mere Fact: The Rhetorical Nature of History

John Peterson, assistant director of curriculum at Hillsdale College's K-12 Education Office, joins host Scot Bertram to discuss the concept of history as rhetoric, the importance of speeches and arguments in history, and how the American education system typically teaches history. Learn more: https://k12.hillsdale.edu/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

15 min
JAN 26

From Hillsdale K-12 to Hillsdale College: Vivian Stewart and Atlanta Classical Academy

Vivian Stewart, a student at Hillsdale College and graduate of Atlanta Classical Academy in Atlanta, Georgia, joins host Scot Bertram to discuss how her experience at a liberal arts school prepared her to study at Hillsdale, building friendships in a new place, and how she's adjusting to the cold weather of southern Michigan. Learn more: https://k12.hillsdale.edu/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

22 min
JAN 19

Apprenticing Excellence: Inside Hillsdale's School Leader Fellowship Program

Benjamin Payne, Director of School Leader Support at Hillsdale College’s K-12 Education Office, joins host Scot Bertram to discuss the Hillsdale College K-12 School Leader Fellowship, the diverse range of skills that make a good school leader, and the benefits of joining the Hillsdale College K-12 network. For more info, and to apply to the School Leader Fellowship, follow this link: https://k12.hillsdale.edu/Schools/School-Leader-Fellowships/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

26 min
JAN 12

Kathleen O’Toole and Robert Pondiscio: Combating Doom and Gloom in the Classroom

Kathleen O’Toole, associate vice president for K-12 Education at Hillsdale College, is joined by Robert Pondiscio to discuss a recent essay he wrote on how educators should emphasize resiliency and hope in the classroom. Robert Pondiscio is a senior fellow at the American Enterprise Institute (AEI) and an affiliate of AEI’s James Q. Wilson Program in K–12 Education Studies, where he focuses on K–12 education, curriculum, teaching, school choice, and charter schooling. Learn more: https://k12.hillsdale.edu/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

39 min
JAN 5

Classical Education 101

Julie Apel, assistant headmaster at Hillsdale Academy in Hillsdale, Michigan, joins host Scot Bertram to discuss what makes classical education different, why there is a renewed interest in classical education, and what students can expect to learn in a classical classroom. Learn more: https://k12.hillsdale.edu/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

24 min
12/29/2025

Mastering Art: Using Narration to Boost Engagement and Mastery

Abigail Teska, lower and upper school art teacher at Seven Oaks Classical School in Ellettsville, Indiana, joins host Scot Bertram to discuss using narration to help students understand artistic concepts, how to help students understand a work of art, and what narration activities students respond to the best. Learn more: https://k12.hillsdale.edu/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

19 min

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4.9

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132 Ratings

Teaching Over Telling

04/29/2021

Nesorneb

In the paraphrased words of Dr. Arne, ‘Hillsdale doesn’t tell its students what to think. Hillsdale teaches its students how to think.

A 20-minute podcast featuring professors, K-12 teachers, and friends of Hillsdale College, all speaking about classical education—what it is, why it’s still relevant today, and what makes it unique. Hosted by Scot Bertram.