Charlotte Mason's simple framework for a teacher calls him a "guide, philosopher, and friend." It's a lovely image—but what does that practical application look like? At the Forum Teaching Vocation Conference last winter, Heights teacher Tom Cox unpacked each of these terms citing ancient wisdom and loads of modern classroom experience.

Chapters:

6:09 Charlotte Mason and the teacher as guide, philosopher, and friend
7:44 Guide: one who has been there before
10:53 Communicating the "why"
14:18 Philosopher: starting in wonder, ending in wisdom
15:59 A storyteller stirring up wonder
20:01 Friend: beginning with a mutual love of something
22:28 Modeling friendship with fellow faculty
23:57 St. Aelred of Rievaulx's qualities of friendship
24:19 Dilectio, outward benevolent acts
24:54 Affectio, interior feeling
26:29 Securitas, freedom from anxiety
27:42 Iucunditas, pleasantness
30:00 Orient towards hope: begin and begin again

Links:

Grammaticus.co, Tom Cox's website featuring Latin and history courses, his blog, and podcast
The Plutarch Podcast by Tom Cox
Spiritual Friendship by Aelred of Rievaulx

Featured Opportunities:

The Art of Teaching Conference at The Heights School (November 13-15, 2024)

Also on the Forum:

Living the Teaching Vocation by Michael Moynihan
Teaching and the Vocation to Fatherhood featuring Tom Steenson
On Preparation for Teaching: Six Attributes of Great Teachers featuring Colin Gleason
The Teacher as Liberal Artist featuring Tom Longano

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