Modeling Excellent Instruction: Hillsdale’s Master Teacher Program

Modeling Excellent Instruction: Hillsdale’s Master Teacher Program

Author: Hillsdale College K-12 Classical Education Podcast February 9, 2026 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 classical education principles and best practices.

Learn more: https://k12.hillsdale.edu/

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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
Teaching Literature Through the Seminar Method [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 38:32
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 fo…
What Makes an Award Winning School? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 17:06
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 lea…
Using Labs in Elementary Science Class [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 33:01
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 Teache…
Supporting Art Instruction over Summer Break [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 18:44
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 gr…
Why Grammar Instruction Matters in Elementary School [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 41:18
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 H…
Supporting P.E. Instruction Over Summer Break [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 15:50
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 h…
Why You Should Read and Teach Dante [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 53:15
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 th…
Supporting Science Instruction Over Summer Break [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 14:36
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 educationa…
The Principles of Literacy Instruction [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 45:30
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 fo…
Supporting History Instruction Over Summer Break [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 20:16
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 t…