Anchored by the Classic Learning Test

Robert P. George, an influential scholar at Princeton University, dives into the effects of abandoning liberal arts education and its implications for unity in society. He shares insights on the E Pluribus Unum initiative, promoting dialogue around justice and the common good. George discusses his unique friendship with Cornel West, showcasing civil discourse through intellectual exchanges. They also explore the importance of reading and philosophy, emphasizing the need for critical thinking and shared values in overcoming societal divisions.

On this episode of Anchored, Jeremy and Arooba are joined by King Randall, I. a 22-year-old native of Albany, GA. Seeing a need to help enhance the lives of young men in his community, he took action to combat the high poverty and crime rates by founding the "X" for Boys organization, where the motto is, "Let US Make Man." He discusses what the organization does, such as hosting a variety of workshops teaching life skills and trades such as automotive repair and home improvement. The organization also hosts a weekly book club for boys to improve literacy. He explains the devastating circumstances that young boys in Albany face, and how teaching them skills can not only help them escape those circumstances but make them better men. 

On this episode of Anchored, Jeremy is joined by Dr. Brad Hadaway and Dr. Lynn Robson to discuss the Oxford Honors Program and the various other programs at Oxford University colleges. They are joined by two students enrolled in the Oxford Honors Program who discuss how they ended up in the program, and what they enjoy about it. Dr. Hadaway and Dr. Robson discuss the tutorial method of teaching at the colleges and how it benefits students. They also explain the structure of the colleges connected to Oxford University and what makes the system unique compared to other colleges. 

On this episode of Anchored, Jeremy is joined by Kimberly Farley, a CLT all-star. She is involved in managing customer service, the Accommodations department, and involved in many elements of the student's experience. Kimberly discusses why she made the decision to homeschool her kids and the issues within the public education system that led to that decision. She also explains how she incorporated discipleship into her homeschooling curriculum to instill faith in her children. Kimberly discusses her journey of how she started working at CLT and what she loves most about working with students and families. 

On this episode of Anchored, Arooba is joined by Going Godward, the scheduling editor of Chalkboard Review. Recently, Chalkboard Review - a site of education commentary that features a diverse range of voices on all things education, had their Twitter account suspended without explanation. Shortly after, most of their team's accounts, including Going Godward's, were also suspended without explanation. Going Godward discusses the attack launched against Chalkboard review by the NEA for discussing CRT in public school curriculum. She also discusses her personal experience as a social worker with issues that threaten a child's education in public schools. She explains that the Department of Education is working hard to censor individuals that speak out against these issues because it does not want to accept responsibility for failing to provide a good education system for children. 

On our final episode for National Catholic Schools week, Chelsea is joined by Dr. Mark Newcomb, Headmaster at Holy Rosary Academy. Dr. Newcomb shares his childhood education, growing up on a farm, and how it helped him in his leadership role at Holy Rosary. He explains that the hardest part about leading an institution is moving away from being simply inspirational to incarnating. He discusses the importance of personal attention at Holy Rosary, and elevating students in areas that they excel in. Dr. Newcomb states that the key for Catholic schools to thrive is to ask, "what is our fundamental relationship to Jesus Christ." 

On this episode of Anchored, Chelsea is joined by Sean Maltbie, the Headmaster of Sacred Hearts Academy, as well as Father Robert Alan Sirico, the retired pastor of Sacred Heart Parish in Grand Rapids, Michigan. They share their personal stories of Sacred Heart, and how they built a community of teachers who are faithful to the academy's mission. They also discuss cultivating unity between teachers, parents, administrators, and pastors to make the academy work. Father Sirico explains that the goal of Sacred Heart is simple compared to other Catholic schools, stating that they are all about "getting people to heaven." 

On this episode of Anchored, Chelsea is joined by Kimberly Begg, Director of Programs and General Counsel of the Ortner Family Foundation. She discusses the foundation's latest project, the Catholic School Playbook. Catholic School Playbook is an online resource designed to help anyone interested in strengthening their Catholic school, including school leaders, pastors, superintendents, teachers, and parents. She explains that Catholic education is in crisis because it has adopted too many traits of modern education and that the best Catholic schools are faithfully Catholic. She states that we need to return to the way the Catholic church taught for 2,000 years in order to nurture the curious nature of children. 

On this episode of Anchored, Jeremy and Chelsea are joined by Andrew Seely, Co-Founder of Institute for Catholic Liberal Education, and Elisabeth Sullivan who is the Executive Director of Institute for Catholic Liberal Education. They discuss the issues that dominate much of Catholic education and schooling in the modern world. They also explain the difference between true Catholic education and classical education, stating that classical education provides the origins whereas Catholic education provides the end. They share how important it is for teachers to be able to express their Catholic faith in Catholic schools, adding that the world is a different place through the eyes of faith. 

On this episode of Anchored, Jeremy is joined by Chelsea Niemiec, CLT's Director of Catholic School Partnerships. Chelsea discusses how CLT plans to honor National Catholic Schools Week through our podcast, Anchored. She shares her childhood education experience, and how public school stiffled her sense of wonder. Chelsea also shares her journey from studying nutrition at Texas A&M University to becoming a substitute teacher, finding her love for classical education, and then teaching at a catholic classical school. She explains how she incorporated her education in nutrition to teaching, stating that teaching is about looking at the whole picture.