Developing Classical Thinkers

Dorothy Sayers presented a paper entitled The Lost Tools of Learning at a summer conference at Oxford in 1947. In the paper, she makes a rather astute observation about “end-of-term reports” which should “combine a deep veneration for truth with a tender respect for the feelings of all concerned.” Ms. Sayers’ description of comments is profound. The task of writing report card comments seems very burdensome and weighty, but is a task that the teacher should value. Such comments are the last opportunity in the quarter to offer encouragement and advice to students while giving a seal of approval on their progress over the course of the quarter. In light of this advice on writing report card comments, here are the best tips from Matt and Winston on writing report card comments:Deliver compliment sandwiches: Present one piece of encouragement with one meaningful, courteous way the students can (or should) improve for the next quarter. Write comments throughout the quarter: Make a roster at the beginning of the quarter and add to that roster great things students did in class–good comments, meaningful insights, a great diorama here or there–these specific pieces of feedback go a long way in encouraging students. When in doubt, email: If the comment gets too specific, includes too many action items, or seems like it could be misinterpreted, email or call parents and let them know what you’re seeing.

Thales Academy is unique among classical schools thanks to founder, Robert "Bob" Luddy. Thales incorporates many ideas and principles from Bob's experience in leading and founding new business ventures, chief, amongst them being the idea of "Kaizen."Kaizen is a Japanese business and engineering philosophy that emphasizes a process of continuous self-improvement. That is, kaizen is about inculcating a desire to improve products, decrease waste and inefficiency, and create more value for the consumer.In this episode, Winston Brady and Keller Moore talk about Kaizen and how it applies to classical education and how classical teachers can work it into their classes each day.That way, teachers are making the best use of class time, creating better outcomes for students, and using every moment of class time to the best extent that they can.Interested in teaching at Thales Academy? Please check out our website if you are interested in pursuing a career at Thales Academy and learning about needs across our network. Find out more at https://www.thalesacademy.org/contact/careers.Theme music is Vivaldi's "Four Seasons" and the Wichita State University Chamber Players, available here on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SHUWnB10_4I&list=PLdqEepE4oj9Y277Dn6MBDIn2AktxD2WUo

Interested in sending your student to a classical school? Want In this episode, we look at three factors that separate classical schools from other institutions: the curriculum, the teachers, and the students. This episode is based off an article written by host Winston Brady that appeared on the American Spectator on July 12, 2023. That article is available here: https://spectator.org/a-guide-for-parents-in-search-of-a-truly-classical-school/Interested in learning more about Thales Academy? Check out our website at www.thalesacademy.org

On today's episode, Winston speaks with Marianna Davidovich, Chief External Affairs Officer at the Foundation for Economic Education. On the program, they discuss her backstory and how it shaped her understanding and love of liberty, as featured in articles published at FEE, as well as the important role that the rule of law and entrepreneurialism play in promoting a free society and a high standard of living. Learn more about Ms. Davidovich's work at https://fee.org/people/marianna-davidovich/Interested in teaching at Thales Academy? Please check out our website if you are interested in pursuing a career at Thales Academy and learning about needs across our network. Find out more at https://www.thalesacademy.org/contact/careers.Theme music is Vivaldi's "Four Seasons" and the Wichita State University Chamber Players, available here on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SHUWnB10_4I&list=PLdqEepE4oj9Y277Dn6MBDIn2AktxD2WUo

In this special episode, Winston Brady sits down for an interview about Research & Writing, a new writing textbook with a unique primary source-driven focus. Written by senior members of the trivium faculty at Thales Academy, namely, Winston, Elizabeth Jetton, and Josh Herring, Research & Writing integrates grammar and writing lessons with primary source texts.The goal of the Research & Writing series is to integrate the intellectual heritage of the Western tradition with the skills, concepts, and content to help students become excellent leaders, writers, and thinkers. These primary source texts include the very best works of philosophy, literature, and history from the beginning to the end of the Western canon and include the likes of Aristotle, Quintilian, Jane Austen, and more. For more information about this new book, check out Research & Writing, available here: https://bit.ly/3YjrD9ZInterested in teaching at Thales Academy? Please check out our website if you are interested in pursuing a career at Thales Academy and learning about needs across our network. Find out more at https://www.thalesacademy.org/contact/careers.Theme music is Vivaldi's "Four Seasons" and the Wichita State University Chamber Players, available here on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SHUWnB10_4I&list=PLdqEepE4oj9Y277Dn6MBDIn2AktxD2WUo

In this presentation, Matt Ogle encouraged students and students alike to take greater responsibility for their own learning.Taking a cue from "The Law of Diffusion of Innovation" and "the tipping point," Matt urged teachers to hold their students to high expectations and positively reinforce them each day. Students will rise or fall to the expectations placed on them, and students tend to succeed in response to their teachers' unwavering resolve and high expectations towards them.In short, students have every opportunity to succeed but the best teachers never let them settle for second best.Matt Ogle received a B.S in Marine biology from Swansea University in Wales and a Masters of Educational Leadership from Grand Canyon University in Phoenix.Matt Ogle delivered this conference presentation at the Conference of Miletus on July 10, 2023. The Conference of Miletus was a series of short lectures from members of the Thales Academy leadership team discussing what is true, what is good, and what is beautiful and the importance of these transcendental ideas to classical education. Interested in teaching at Thales Academy? Please check out our website if you are interested in pursuing a career at Thales Academy and learning about needs across our network. Find out more at https://www.thalesacademy.org/contact/careers.

An excellent teacher inspires students to love learning, has high expectations for content and behavior, and invests in students beyond the classroom. Dr. Josh Herring of Thales College describes three excellent teachers from his own education as a way of encouraging teachers to pursue excellence in their craft as they consider the beginning of a new school year.Josh Herring (PhD, Humanities) serves as Professor of Classical Education at Thales College. He hosts The Optimistic Curmudgeon, an interview show platforming the best in conservative thought. He tweets at @TheOptimisticC3. He regularly writes for Liberty Fund and the Acton Institute.Josh Herring delivered this conference presentation at the Conference of Miletus on July 10, 2023. The Conference of Miletus was a series of short lectures from members of the Thales Academy leadership team discussing what is true, what is good, and what is beautiful and the importance of these transcendental ideas to classical education.Interested in teaching at Thales Academy? Please check out our website if you are interested in pursuing a career at Thales Academy and learning about needs across our network. Find out more at https://www.thalesacademy.org/contact/careers.

Winston Brady explains how parents and teachers work together for the mutual upbuilding of students. This relationship is a unique, collaborative partnership between teachers and parents for the time teachers have these students in their classes. Winston presents three ways parents can join in the work of classical education: asking, challenging, and encouraging. By asking students questions about what they're learning, challenging them to try new things or avoid taking shortcuts, and encouraging them each day, parents can help teachers help these students form good character and reach their unique, God-given potential. Winston Brady has taught at Thales Academy since 2011 and has served Thales Academy in a variety of ways. He also hosts the Thales Academy podcast, Developing Classical Thinkers. Mr. Brady serves as the Director of Thales Press, an in-house publishing firm that produces textbooks, readings, and videos for Thales Academy and like-minded classical schools. He lives in North Carolina with his wife and three boys, all of whom he hopes will one day learn Latin.Winston Brady delivered this conference presentation at the Conference of Miletus on July 10, 2023. The Conference of Miletus was a series of short lectures from members of the Thales Academy leadership team discussing what is true, what is good, and what is beautiful and the importance of these transcendental ideas to classical education.Interested in teaching at Thales Academy? Please check out our website if you are interested in pursuing a career at Thales Academy and learning about needs across our network. Find out more at https://www.thalesacademy.org/contact/careers.

In this presentation from the Conference of Miletus, Bob Luddy offers his vision for virtuous leadership. Bob argues that leaders, particularly in the field of education, have a responsibility to cultivate good character and personal integrity if they are to be effective leaders who educate students to their highest potential.Robert "Bob" Luddy is the Founder and Chairman of Thales Academy, Thales College, Franklin Academy, and St. Thomas More Academy, and is the Founder and President of CaptiveAire Systems, North America's leading manufacturer of commercial kitchen ventilation equipment and a quickly growing manufacturer of commercial and industrial HVAC systems. Bob Luddy delivered this presentation at the Conference of Miletus on July 10, 2023. The Conference of Miletus was a series of short, informative lectures given by members of the Thales Academy leadership team on ideas relating to classical education.Interested in teaching at Thales Academy? Please check out our website if you are interested in pursuing a career at Thales Academy and learning about needs across our network. Find out more at https://www.thalesacademy.org/contact/careers.

In this episode, Winston speaks with Kon Bouzikos, President of ACES ( Australian Classical Education Society) about the growing movement of classical education in Australia.ACES is a group of teachers and parents across Australia interested in promoting classical education through various means. The mission of ACES is to create classical schools, train teachers and parents, and allow all students to flourish as human beings. If you're interested in classical education in Australia, check out ACES' website here:http://www.classicaleducation.org.au/ https://logosaustralis.com/ https://m.facebook.com/ausclassicaleducation/