

Hillsdale College K-12 Classical Education Podcast
Hillsdale College K-12 Classical Education Podcast
A 20-minute podcast featuring professors, K-12 teachers, and friends of Hillsdale College, all speaking about classical education—what it is, why it’s still relevant today, and what makes it unique. Hosted by Scot Bertram.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Aug 7, 2025 • 40min
Using Labs in Upper School Science Class
Claire Marie Huff, science department chair and upper school dean of students for girls at Atlanta Classical Academy in Atlanta, Georgia, delivers a lecture on how to use labs to enhance upper school education. This lecture was given at the Hoogland Center for Teacher Excellence seminar, “The Art of Teaching: The Sciences” in November 2024. The Hoogland Center for Teacher Excellence, an outreach of the Hillsdale College K-12 Education Office, offers educators the opportunity to deepen their content knowledge and refine their skills in the classroom.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Aug 4, 2025 • 14min
The Children's Garden: Integrating Nature and Literature
Kimberly Miller, librarian at Hillsdale Academy in Hillsdale, Michigan, joins host Scot Bertram to discuss the importance of outdoor activities to pedagogy, how outdoor spaces help spark the imagination and creativity of children, and book recommendations for outdoor story time. Learn more: https://k12.hillsdale.edu/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jul 31, 2025 • 46min
Teaching Poetry in Grammar School
Elizabeth Offord, curriculum director at Lafayette Academy in Lake St. Louis, Missouri, delivers a lecture on how teach poetic recitation to students in grammar school. This lecture was given at the Hoogland Center for Teacher Excellence seminar, “The Art of Teaching: Children's Literature” in September 2024. The Hoogland Center for Teacher Excellence, an outreach of the Hillsdale College K-12 Education Office, offers educators the opportunity to deepen their content knowledge and refine their skills in the classroom.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jul 28, 2025 • 18min
The History of American Education
John Peterson, Assistant Director of Curriculum at Hillsdale College's K-12 Education Office, joins host Scot Bertram to discuss the history of American education, the ideological basis for progressive education, and the roots of classical education. Learn more: https://k12.hillsdale.edu/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jul 24, 2025 • 39min
Teaching Literature Through the Seminar Method
John Peterson, assistant director of curriculum at Hillsdale College's K-12 Education Office, delivers a lecture on how the seminar method improves literature instruction. This lecture was given at the Hoogland Center for Teacher Excellence seminar, “The Art of Teaching: Upper School Literature” in February 2025. The Hoogland Center for Teacher Excellence, an outreach of the Hillsdale College K-12 Education Office, offers educators the opportunity to deepen their content knowledge and refine their skills in the classroom.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jul 21, 2025 • 17min
What Makes an Award Winning School?
Stephen Shipp, headmaster at Seven Oaks Classical School in Ellettsville, Indiana, joins host Scot Bertram to discuss Seven Oaks winning The Henry Salvatori Prize for Excellence in Teaching, encouraging firm and kind leadership, and developing an excellent school culture. Learn more: https://k12.hillsdale.edu/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jul 17, 2025 • 33min
Using Labs in Elementary Science Class
Jennifer Jackett, 5th grade teacher at Seven Oaks Classical School in Ellettsville, Indiana, delivers a lecture on how to use labs to enhance elementary education. This lecture was given at the Hoogland Center for Teacher Excellence seminar, “The Art of Teaching: The Sciences” in November 2024. The Hoogland Center for Teacher Excellence, an outreach of the Hillsdale College K-12 Education Office, offers educators the opportunity to deepen their content knowledge and refine their skills in the classroom.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jul 14, 2025 • 19min
Supporting Art Instruction over Summer Break
Abigail Teska, art teacher at Seven Oaks Classical School in Ellettsville, Indiana, joins host Scot Bertram to discuss summertime art instruction, simple and meaningful art activities, and how families can engage with great works of art over the summer. Learn more: https://k12.hillsdale.edu/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jul 10, 2025 • 41min
Why Grammar Instruction Matters in Elementary School
Penny Jenson, dean of lower school at Cincinnati Classical Academy in Cincinnati, Ohio, delivers a lecture on the importance of grammatical instruction during a student's elementary years. This lecture was given at the Hoogland Center for Teacher Excellence seminar, “The Art of Teaching: Reading and Writing” in March 2025. The Hoogland Center for Teacher Excellence, an outreach of the Hillsdale College K-12 Education Office, offers educators the opportunity to deepen their content knowledge and refine their skills in the classroom.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jul 7, 2025 • 16min
Supporting P.E. Instruction Over Summer Break
Przemyslaw Grzesiak, physical education teacher at Hillsdale Academy in Hillsdale, Michigan, joins host Scot Bertram to discuss summertime physical education instruction, how to encourage the spirit of competition, and how to get a workout on a rainy day. Learn more: https://k12.hillsdale.edu/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.