Norms & Nobility: A Panel Discussion

Norms & Nobility: A Panel Discussion

Author: Hillsdale College K-12 Classical Education Podcast March 16, 2026 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 Ryan Hammill, executive director of the Ancient Language Institute, for a panel on David Hick's Norms and Nobility: A Treatise on Education

The four discuss the degree with which classical education is consistent with democracy, the focus on forming students instead of empowering them, and the challenges that modernity poses to classical logic and rhetoric.

This panel was held at the Classical Education Forum in February 2026

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
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…
Classical Education 101 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 23:51
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…
Mastering Art: Using Narration to Boost Engagement and Mastery [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 18:52
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 stu…
How IEW Helps Students Enjoy Reading [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 19:07
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…
Virtue and Reframing for Students [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 21:30
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 essen…
Starting a Classical School In Alaska [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 24:20
Stephen Cox, a founding board member of Thomas More Classical School in Anchorage, Alaska, joins host Scot Bertram to discuss his role in starting a classical school in Alaska, the decision to make Thomas More Classical…