How Can Mathematics Help Develop a Moral Compass?

How Can Mathematics Help Develop a Moral Compass?

Author: Hillsdale College K-12 Classical Education Podcast August 25, 2025 Duration: 17:42

David Yu, dean of students at Ascent Classical Academy of Northern Colorado in Windsor, Colorado, joins host Scot Bertram to discuss how mathematics helps students develop a moral compass, how to create a sense of wonder in the classroom, and how to prioritize the Good, True, and Beautiful in education.

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In each roughly twenty-minute episode of the Hillsdale College K-12 Classical Education Podcast, host Scot Bertram guides a conversation that feels more like a thoughtful discussion among colleagues than a formal lecture. The dialogue brings together the college's own professors, practicing K-12 teachers from its affiliated schools, and other friends of Hillsdale to explore the enduring framework of classical learning. These guests don't just define the tradition in abstract terms; they delve into its practical application in modern classrooms and its profound relevance for students today. You'll hear specific examples of how classical methods shape lessons in literature, history, and civics, fostering a deeper love for truth and beauty beyond standardized testing. This podcast serves as an accessible entry point for parents and educators curious about an education model that prioritizes wisdom and virtue, examining what truly sets this time-honored approach apart. The concise format makes it easy to fit into a daily commute, offering substantive ideas that resonate long after the episode ends.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

Hillsdale College K-12 Classical Education Podcast
Podcast Episodes
Norms & Nobility: A Panel Discussion [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 36:53
Join John Peterson, lecturer in education and politics at Hillsdale College, Jonathan Gregg, assistant professor of education at Hillsdale College, Kevin Gary associate professor of education at Hillsdale College, and Ry…
The Generational Impact of a Classical School [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 17:35
Tina Bolin, literacy coordinator at Treasure Valley Classical Academy in Fruitland, Idaho, and a literacy trainer with Hillsdale College K-12 Education, joins host Scot Bertram to discuss her journey from home school tea…
The Primary Source You Can Hang on the Wall [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 24:54
Sonja Bindus, teacher support lead for Hillsdale College K-12 Education, joins host Scot Bertram to discuss teaching students how to appreciate art, learning from the artistic masters, and how to help students develop ar…
Contrasting Classical and Progressive Education [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 23:50
Joshua Villarreal, teacher support lead at Hillsdale College's K-12 Education Office, joins host Scot Bertram to discuss the classical themes in the film Die Hard, the importance of education in forming character, and th…
Modeling Excellent Instruction: Hillsdale’s Master Teacher Program [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 16:58
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…
Beyond Mere Fact: The Rhetorical Nature of History [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 14:58
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, an…