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.
Latest episodes
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.
Jul 3, 2025 • 53min
Why You Should Read and Teach Dante
Stephen Smith, dean of the humanities and professor of English at Hillsdale College, delivers a lecture on the themes of freedom, education, and leadership in Dante Alighieri’s Divine Comedy. 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.
Jun 30, 2025 • 15min
Supporting Science Instruction Over Summer Break
Lisa Roberts, science teacher at Hillsdale Academy in Hillsdale, Michigan, joins host Scot Bertram to discuss summertime science instruction, how keeping a journal can help students retain information, and the educational value of playing outside. Learn more: https://k12.hillsdale.edu/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Jun 26, 2025 • 46min
The Principles of Literacy Instruction
Jennifer Mills, Title I coordinator at Seven Oaks Classical School in Ellettsville, Indiana, delivers a lecture on the importance of phonics as the foundation of literacy. 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.
Jun 23, 2025 • 20min
Supporting History Instruction Over Summer Break
Bryce Horswell, teacher support lead for Hillsdale College K-12 Education, joins host Scot Bertram to discuss summertime history instruction, summer activities that help improve a student's appreciation of history, and the many educational resources that local libraries provide. Learn more: https://k12.hillsdale.edu/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Jun 19, 2025 • 56min
Grammar as a Liberal Art
Benjamin Beier, chairman and associate professor of education at Hillsdale College, delivers a lecture on grammar and the development of the liberal arts. 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.
Jun 16, 2025 • 26min
Supporting Literature Instruction Over Summer Break
Sam Foat, dean of upper school at Treasure Coast Classical Academy in Stuart, Florida, joins host Scot Bertram to discuss summertime literature instruction, how to encourage students to read over the summer, and how leisure activities can supplement that reading. Learn more: https://k12.hillsdale.edu/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
