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Panelists discussed the joys and challenges of one of the most exhausting, important, and rewarding jobs in their eyes, teaching, during a classical education information lunch on March 28th.
“It’s just such an exciting thing to do as a teacher, to come alongside. I almost feel like telling parents ‘I got your back.” To come alongside them during that informative time is just beautiful,” said Yvette Adele, fourth grade teacher at Ascent Classical Academy in Lone Tree, Colorado.
Teachers, headmasters, and advisors for classical christian or charter schools from across the country traveled to Hillsdale to advise students considering a career in education.
Career Services organized this panel, titled, “Teaching History and Civics: K‑12 Education.”
Jordan Adams, civic education specialist from Hillsdale College K‑12 Education Office, led the discussion.
Speakers covered a wide range of topics, from the importance of classical education and the significance of strong history curricula to practical tips and first-year struggles for all teachers.
Maegen Satcher, dean of academics at St. John’s Classical Academy in Fleming Island, Florida, said history, especially in early education, teaches children through true stories, providing real examples of people who may become role models for them.
“We want to give them some great Americans to look up to,” Satcher said. “We want them to start thinking, ‘What does goodness look like?’”
Ali Pries, who teaches fourth grade at Golden View Classical Academy in Golden, Colorado said students of all ages ask questions such as ‘Who am I? What am I doing? What is my place?’
“I immediately fell in love with teaching history because it helped answer these questions,’” Pries said. “History gives you a place in this time right now. You see the pages that have passed. You find your place in the present age, and you see what the pages can be that you can make in the future.”
Betsy Helton, assistant headmaster of the grammar school at Seven Oaks Classical School in Ellettsville, Indiana shared a story of one of her students who repeated her class, but was still eager to learn the history stories again.
“He couldn’t wait to be there,” Helton said. “He said, ‘I want to hear these stories again! They were the best stories I’ve ever heard in my life!’”
The panelists also emphasized the cultivation of virtue in their students and the way this development set them apart from students in other schools.
Helton shared the joy of influencing the lives of her students.
“You know that you are contributing to their lives in a profound way that’s separating them from their peers,” Helton said. “You are creating some young people that can carry the torch, that can recognize truth for what it is and adhere to it.”
Morgan Channels, teacher at Ivywood Classical Academy in Plymouth, Michigan, said she has core virtues posted in her classroom to engage the students in all discussions, comparing acts in history with these virtues as well as classroom behavior.
The panelists named several qualities present in great teachers. Carin Harner, third grade teacher at Hillsdale Academy, said teachers never stop learning.
“Even though you’re the one teaching the information, you have to still be excited about learning because there’s always something you can learn,” Harner said. “Whether it’s the actual academic knowledge, or issues related to behavior, or helping a specific child who is behind — there’s always something you can be learning. You cannot get stale. You have to be excited about it.”
Pries added to Harner’s words by emphasizing the importance of the teacher demonstrating a virtuous life.
“Students can see right through someone who’s not genuine or authentic,” Pries said. “You have to be able to model for them your wins and your failures. They can sense it. I think the pursuit of learning, definitely, but also the daily practice of virtues of the heart is truly important.”
Helton emphasized the great role teachers have of influencing their students for the rest of their lives.
“You can’t feign compassion. If you don’t genuinely love these children, then there’s going to be a disconnect,” Helton said. “Remember this though: ‘The hand that rocks the cradle is the hand that rules the world.’ If you are genuinely interested in impacting the world, they may not remember you, but you will have impacted them in a profound way.”
