You don’t have to be at a classical education conference long before you hear the word “pedagogy” bantered about like everyone knows what it means.
But most people don’t.
They have a general idea that it means something important about what happens in the classroom. They know it usually flows from some sort of conversation about curricula or classroom management. But trust me, most of them couldn’t define it or explain it. I know this because I was that teacher.
When I accepted my first teaching position, I knew which curricula were labeled “classical.” I knew why a book was considered a “Great Book.” But, I didn’t understand classical pedagogy. I didn’t know what I was supposed to do in the classroom that made me any different from my fourth-grade public school teacher. The content would be different, I understood that. But, what was I supposed to do with the content? How was I supposed to teach classical curricula classically?
Teaching Classically
After reading The Seven Laws of Teaching, I had a better idea. After taking a class on classical pedagogy at the University of Dallas, I had a road map. After reading extensively and thinking intentionally about the role culture and curriculum in the classroom, I had a pedagogy I could define, explain, and defend.
Tonight, I begin teaching a classical pedagogy class for the CCEP Program at Thales College. I look forward to sharing what I have learned with my students as we continue together toward a deeper, richer understanding of what classical education is and how it is done.
Pedagogy is more than philosophy, but it starts there.
How we teach and the goals or aims of our teaching are very important to classical education because they are so divergent from the progressive model of education prevalent in America today. Simply put, pedagogy is an approach to teaching; the aims of education; and how those goals might be achieved.
There are some people in the movement who think that classical pedagogy reflects simply a leisurely approach to the material. That the teacher’s internal disposition is the difference between classical pedagogy and modern pedagogy. But, I think we can do better to help classical teachers hit the ground running, to equip them with practices and approaches to their curriculum that reflect the classical philosophy of education.
I recently had the privilege of sitting down with Dr. Jonathan Gregg, Assistant Professor of Education at Hillsdale College. We talked about pedagogy. We talked about this very thing: that we have to help teachers know what to do in the classroom, or we’re only talking about educational philosophy. If you are in the Houston-area, you really should attend his talk in April. If you’re not in the Houston-area, you can hear him talk on pedagogy here.
Thales classes are closed for this semester, but I hope to see more teachers and parents decide that classical education is worth their own time and investment. I hope to see more of you in my Thales online classroom soon.
Where Mrs. Gerth is speaking:
CiRCE Regional Conference at the University of Dallas, October 10-12
Southwest Conference on Christianity and Literature at the University of Dallas, November 15-16
Ciceronian Society at Hotel Madison, Harrisonburg, VA, March 13-15, 2025
What Mrs. Gerth is teaching:
Intro to Conclusion: The Structure of a Paragraph - Seventh and Eighth Graders - October 24, 12:30-2:30 PM
Body paragraphs are the meat of the academic essay. Some times, teachers only assign a paragraph response instead of a full essay. In this class, we’ll look at how to begin with a mini-thesis or topic sentence, support that topic sentence logically, blend quotations, and transition to your next thought. $49 a seat. Seven seats available.
Change it Up! : Adding Variety to Your Sentences - Fifth and Sixth Graders - October 24, 10:30 AM - NOON
Without the right words in the right place, a sentence fails to communicate the idea intended. “Tell me more,” a teacher may say. But, students often fall into patterns that make sense to them yet lack variety and quality word choice. In this class we will look at the grammar behind a good sentence, and we’ll practice writing lots and lots of sentences. $39 a seat. Seven seats available.
Thales College Certificate in Classical Education Philosophy
The Thales College Certificate in Classical Education Philosophy Program (CCEP) consists of eight courses taken in any order culminating in a certificate. Each course carries a $300 course fee, and each class is held through Google Meet once every other week. I will be teaching Classical Pedagogy and History of Education.