Couse Description: This course will discuss the fundamental principles of history instruction in classical schools. Discussions will include content, socratic discussion, primary sources, the importance of memorization, and cross-curricular connections. 

Date: October 22, 2024

Time: 6-7 pm (CENTRAL)

(Live attendance is encourged for an immersive experience. Recordings will be made available 48 hours after the session and will be available till Oct. 31.)

Cost: $30 (non-refundable)

About the Instructor:

John Heitzenrater is the headmaster of St. John Chrysostom Academy in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. Mr. Heitzenrater has nearly 20 years’ teaching and administrative experience in classical schools. He began his career teaching history and humanities at the Lady Margaret Roper School and St. Peter’s Orthodox Classical School in Fort Worth, Texas.

John received his A.B. magna cum laude from the College of St. Thomas More where he studied literature, philosophy, theology, classical languages, and history. In graduate school he attended the University of Dallas where he received his Master of Humanities with a concentration in history in 2016. He and his wife Christina have 11 children, seven girls and four boys, many of whom attend St. John Chrysostom Academy.

Class Description: A single class on how to integrate the arts into other subjects, including mathematics, science, history, literature, philosophy, and more. The talk will include practical how-to suggestions and implementation strategies. Fine art is mimetic, and all art forms (from music to painting, architecture to film) tell an aspect of the human story. The beauty of human art not only reveals truths about the subjects we teach, it deepens and enriches the classroom lessons themselves. Time will be set aside for questions and discussion. 

This class is designed to provide a framework and support for teachers learning how to integrate the arts if they do not yet know how to do so.

A resource list will be provided to attendees after the conclusion of the class.

Date: October 26th, 2024

Time: 1-2:30 (CENTRAL)

(Live attendance is encourged for an immersive experience. Recordings will be made available 48 hours after the session and will be available till Oct. 31.)

Cost: $15 (non-refundable)

About the Instructor:

Peach Smith is the Dean of Curriculum and Instruction at Koinonia Academy, the founder of Sacred HEART Academy, a consultant for Beautiful Teaching, and has been a classical educator for over 30 years. Peach has taught a wide variety of subjects, and works with both gifted and special needs students in classical, private, and home schools. Peach has led workshops on homeschooling, classical education, and school professional development seminars at conferences and schools throughout the United States. 

Peach specializes in classical curriculum development, transitioning schools to a classical model, Roman Catholic Liberal Arts education, Charlotte Mason pedagogy, differentiation and accommodation in classrooms and homeschools, college consulting, the Catholic Imagination, and in supporting homeschooling families.

Peach has been married to Domecq Smith for 30 years; they are parents to adult children, and are both active in teaching classes from elementary to the college level.

What: The art of toasting at holidays and special events like birthdays and weddings is a lost art. The toast expresses the values of a community, making a statement of the purpose of the celebration. This course will teach the why and the how of toasting, so at your next celebration, you can raise your glass with confidence. 

Who: Anyone who wants to learn how to give a toast.  Bring a drink!  

Cost: $20 (non-refundable)

When: Thursday, November 7, 2024, 7:00-8:00 PM CENTRAL

Recorded: Our courses are interractive, so we encourage live attendance. All courses are recorded and available 48-72 hours after the course and will be available for 1 month. You will be sent a YouTube link. 

About the Instructor: 

Benjamin Lyda holds a Master of Humanities degree from The University of Dallas and is certified by the state of Texas to teach 6-12 grade literature, history, speech communication, special education, and debate. He is the author of Scriptorium – Writing with the Progymnasmata, a 3rd-8th grade curriculum. 

He has been head of a classical charter high school and founder of a Charlotte Mason inspired K-12 school.  His more than 20 years of teaching experience is wide and varied including teaching in urban and suburban settings.  In addition Benjamin regularly works with both advanced and struggling students in public, private, and homeschool settings.  He founded and ran The Children’s Shakespeare Academy, directing full productions of the bard’s plays for homeschool children 9-18.   He is married to his high school sweetheart and together they are bringing up six children.