A glimpse inside Hillsdale College's network of classical schools across the country.
Most of us have at one time or another had a teacher who knew his subject well, but who was generally unable to communicate it to students. The existence of this sort of person reveals a basic truth: that teachers, though they must possess knowledge, are not primarily defined by that knowledge.…
I have wanted to be a teacher since I was in kindergarten. I remember countless times as a child forcing my little sister to be my student as I played school in our family room. I have always loved working with children and am excited whenever I get to share some new insight with them. The night before my first day of real teaching, I could hardly get any sleep I was so excited and nervous.…
Teachers often find themselves the subject of romanticization and lionization by parents of students, social commentators, and distant family relations who cannot help but express their pride in the work and sacrifice required of educators. These encouragements and expressions of admiration or gratitude are kind and well-intentioned, but never quite move me to the extent one might imagine. Maybe that says more about myself, my propensity for self-deprecation, and tendency to be afflicted with imposter syndrome than anything else.…
At its core, Hillsdale College is a teaching institution, and the mission of the K-12 Education Office is to teach others about the core principles of excellent K-12 education, especially in the areas of governance, leadership, curriculum, pedagogy, and school culture. There are many ways we pursue this goal, one of which is the K-12 Program Guide.
The K-12 Program Guide, a comprehensive scope and sequence for all subjects and grades was developed and is updated every year through a collaboration among members of the K-12 Office, Hillsdale College faculty advisors, and master teachers across our network of K-12 schools.…
A new school year is upon us; students and teachers alike are entering their classrooms brimming with excitement, possibility, and a little bit of nervousness about the lessons and conversations to come. One thought that has been a topic of reflection for me in this new year is how I can best train the minds and improve the hearts of the young people in my care by giving them what they are owed, rather than what they owe me.…
by Larry P. Arnn, President
Hillsdale College
Over the last several years, parents have taken more interest in what their children are learning at school. What they have found is troubling. Instead of classes of substance, they find lectures on highly-charged subjects like racism and sexuality—subjects that should be broached, not by teachers, but by the child’s own parents.
This is not necessarily the fault of the teachers.…
by Larry P. Arnn, President
Hillsdale College
Today there is confusion about the role of the teacher. It stems from a larger confusion about the role of education in the life of the student. The unfortunate truth is that education is seen primarily as a kind of job training, reducing students to receptacles for information and teachers to its delivery system.…
Teachers should be free to use their natural and developed gifts to teach a robust curriculum in science, literature, mathematics, the arts, history, physical education and civics. This is the kind of schooling experience that students deserve, parents desire and society demands.
-Dr. Dan Coupland
