Schooling America

Erik Twist

The Schooling America podcast covers issues and ideas relevant to leaders in American education. We bring in the brightest minds in administration, philosophy, culture, and beyond to reflect on topics that directly impact schools, organizations, and the children and families they serve. From cultural issues to operations to curriculum and pedagogy, Schooling America seeks to enrich the ideas, strategy, and execution of education institutions nationwide.

  1. 4D AGO

    The Four P's of a Thriving Classical School w/ Matt Skinner | Part 2 | The Furrows

    Send a text Matt Skinner, longtime head of school at Heritage Classical Academy in Atlanta, Georgia, returns for part two of his conversation with Ryan and Alex.  This time, Matt unpacks the four-pillar framework: purpose, people, programs, and place, that guided Heritage from a bold vision to one of the most respected classical high schools in the country. What's in This Episode: Why purpose must come before everything else, and how a clear destination statement creates guardrails for every major decisionHow Matt recruited top-tier talent from within his own community, often before he had a defined role for themThe financial philosophy behind investing in people ahead of revenue, and why a scarcity mindset quietly kills school growthWhat "hoarding talent" actually looks like in practice, and why a three-year investment horizon is essential for developing leadersHow Heritage approached beauty in its facilities as a direct expression of its mission, and why stewarding what you have matters more than the size of your buildingChapters: 00:00: Welcome and Introduction01:43: The Heritage Story and the Four P's Framework02:52: Purpose: Building a Clear and Compelling Vision05:17: People: Hiring for Mission Alignment Over Credentials16:09: Fundraising and the Abundance vs. Scarcity Mindset21:00: How to Identify and Recruit Leaders34:27: The Portrait of a Graduate40:22: Programs: Letting People Build What They Believe49:41: Place: Beauty as a Reflection of Mission57:29: The Strategic Financial Plan: Define, Determine, DeliverResources Mentioned: The Herzog FoundationJim Collins, Good to Great (the flywheel concept)C.S. Lewis, "First and Second Things" in God in the DockSociety for Classical LearningArcadia EducationClassical Learning Test (CLT)Hosted by Ryan Klopak (Arcadia Education) and Alex Julian (CLT). The Furrows podcast features leaders in classical education who have been transformed by classical education. Produced by Saint Kolbe Studios

    1 hr

  2. MAR 11

    Becoming a Head of School—on Accident w/ Matt Skinner | Part 1 | The Furrows

    Send a text Matt Skinner spent over two decades leading Christian schools—most notably as the longtime head of school at Heritage Preparatory School in Atlanta, Georgia.  But he didn't start there. He's a Texas-raised athlete, former CPA, and reluctant educator who found his calling at a school board meeting in 1995—having never once set foot in a school as anything other than a student. Today he does consulting work, helping schools and leaders think through the kind of formation and culture that actually sticks.  What's in This Episode: How an athlete and CPA became a head of school—by accidentWhy easy schools produce fragile studentsThe case against snowplow parenting and what to do insteadHow The Lost Tools of Learning flipped his view of Christian educationWhat it actually takes to build a high school from scratchChapters: 00:00: Intro & Guest Welcome02:32: Growing Up in Texas04:55: Flaming Out at Rice07:45: A Damascus Moment10:05: Baseball, Tracy, and Starting Over14:26: The Board Retreat That Changed Everything28:04: Failure, Grit, and Snowplow Parenting40:12: Stepping Into the Head of School Role49:55: Discovering Classical Education59:27: Building Heritage's High SchoolResources: The Lost Tools of Learning — Dorothy SayersSociety for Classical LearningArcadia EducationClassical Learning Test (CLT)Heritage Preparatory SchoolHosted by Ryan Klopak (Arcadia Education) and Alex Julian (CLT). The Furrows podcast features leaders in classical education who have been transformed by classical education. Produced by Saint Kolbe Studios

    1h 9m

  3. FEB 25

    The Furrows | Joyful Rigor: What a Classical Education Actually Feels Like w/ Dr. Kathleen O'Toole

    Send a text Dr. Kathleen O'Toole is the Associate VP for K-12 Education at Hillsdale College. However, she didn't arrive at classical education through a straight line. She grew up attending a good-but-not-classical school, survived a grueling private prep high school, found her footing at Hillsdale Academy, and finally experienced the full power of a classical curriculum at the University of Dallas.  Today she leads Hillsdale's K–12 Schools office, helping communities around the country start and sustain classical schools.  What's in This Episode:  The difference between a good school and a classical school Joyful rigor vs. rigor for rigor's sakeThe moment classical education clickedWhat Hillsdale's K–12 office actually doesWhy K–12 matters for teachers; not just students Chapters:  00:00 Intro & Guest Welcome 01:30 Growing Up at St. Mark's Episcopal School 07:30 The Power of Joyful Rigor 10:30 School Culture & Traditions That Stick 14:00 Classical Education at Home Before It Had a Name 16:00 Rigor Without Purpose 27:00 Moving to Michigan & Hillsdale Academy 35:00 The Startup School Experience 44:00 University of Dallas & the Core Curriculum 52:00 Finding a Calling: Political Philosophy 55:00 Teachers as Fellow Students 1:01:00 Joyful vs. Joyless Rigor: The Key Difference 1:05:00 Hillsdale's K-12 Office Today Resources: Hillsdale K–12 Schools   Arcadia Education  Classical Learning Test  Hosted by Ryan Klopak (Arcadia Education) and Alex Julian (CLT). The Furrows podcast features leaders in classical education who have been transformed by classical education. Produced by Saint Kolbe Studios

    1h 11m

  4. 09/06/2024

    Schools and the Wisdom of Patrick Lencioni

    Send a text

    50 min

  5. 07/31/2024

    Education Savings Accounts, Vouchers, and the Charterization of Private Schools

    Send a text Education Savings Accounts

    44 min

  6. 05/14/2024

    School Safety

    Send a text

    57 min

  7. 04/22/2024

    The Benefit of Market Analysis for Small Schools

    Send a text

    53 min

  8. 11/07/2023

    Elias Moo

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    1h 1m
See All (14)

Trailer

About

The Schooling America podcast covers issues and ideas relevant to leaders in American education. We bring in the brightest minds in administration, philosophy, culture, and beyond to reflect on topics that directly impact schools, organizations, and the children and families they serve. From cultural issues to operations to curriculum and pedagogy, Schooling America seeks to enrich the ideas, strategy, and execution of education institutions nationwide.

Information

  • Creator
    Erik Twist
  • Years Active
    2023 - 2026
  • Episodes
    14
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Arcadia Education
  • Show Website
    Schooling America

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