K-12 Classical Education Podcast
20-minute podcast featuring professors and K-12 teachers
382 episodes
Episodes
Feb 9, 2026
Modeling Excellent Instruction: Hillsdale’s Master Teacher Program
Julie Apel, assistant headmaster at Hillsdale Academy in Hillsdale, Michigan, joins host Scot Bertram to discuss Hillsdale’s Master Teacher Program, what makes a teacher a master teacher, and how the program aligns with classical education principles and best practices. Learn more: https://k12.hills
Feb 2, 2026
Beyond Mere Fact: The Rhetorical Nature of History
John Peterson, assistant director of curriculum at Hillsdale College’s K-12 Education Office, joins host Scot Bertram to discuss the concept of history as rhetoric, the importance of speeches and arguments in history, and how the American education system typically teaches history. Learn more: https
Jan 26, 2026
From Hillsdale K-12 to Hillsdale College: Vivian Stewart and Atlanta Classical Academy
Vivian Stewart, a student at Hillsdale College and graduate of Atlanta Classical Academy in Atlanta, Georgia, joins host Scot Bertram to discuss how her experience at a liberal arts school prepared her to study at Hillsdale, building friendships in a new place, and how she’s adjusting to the cold w
Jan 19, 2026
Apprenticing Excellence: Inside Hillsdale’s School Leader Fellowship Program
Benjamin Payne, Director of School Leader Support at Hillsdale College’s K-12 Education Office, joins host Scot Bertram to discuss the Hillsdale College K-12 School Leader Fellowship, the diverse range of skills that make a good school leader, and the benefits of joining the Hillsdale College K-12 n
Jan 12, 2026
Kathleen O’Toole and Robert Pondiscio: Combating Doom and Gloom in the Classroom
Kathleen O’Toole, associate vice president for K-12 Education at Hillsdale College, is joined by Robert Pondiscio to discuss a recent essay he wrote on how educators should emphasize resiliency and hope in the classroom. Robert Pondiscio is a senior fellow at the American Enterprise Institute (AEI)
Jan 5, 2026
Classical Education 101
Julie Apel, assistant headmaster at Hillsdale Academy in Hillsdale, Michigan, joins host Scot Bertram to discuss what makes classical education different, why there is a renewed interest in classical education, and what students can expect to learn in a classical classroom. Learn more: https://k12.h
Dec 29, 2025
Mastering Art: Using Narration to Boost Engagement and Mastery
Abigail Teska, lower and upper school art teacher at Seven Oaks Classical School in Ellettsville, Indiana, joins host Scot Bertram to discuss using narration to help students understand artistic concepts, how to help students understand a work of art, and what narration activities students respond t
Dec 22, 2025
How IEW Helps Students Enjoy Reading
Jennifer Jackett, a fifth grade teacher at Seven Oaks Classical School in Ellettsville, Indiana, and Julia McNeely, director of Title I at Seven Oaks Classical School, join host Scot Bertram to discuss the Institute for Excellence in Writing curriculum, principles for better writing, and how writing
Dec 15, 2025
Virtue and Reframing for Students
Ben Payne, director of leader support for Hillsdale College’s K-12 Education Office, joins host Scot Bertram to discuss helping students build emotional durability, focusing on developing virtue over value, and the essential principles when helping students to reframe their attitudes. Learn more: ht
Dec 8, 2025
Kathleen O’Toole & Christopher Nadon: The Tension between “Lived Experience” and Student Learning
Kathleen O’Toole, associate vice president for K-12 Education at Hillsdale College, is joined by Christopher Nadon to discuss a recent essay he wrote on how educators are failing their students by embracing the importance of “lived experience.” Christopher Nadon (B.A., M.A., Ph.D., University of Chi