Summary

In this episode, we explore the profound purpose of education, emphasizing the importance of human flourishing, the role of wonder and beauty in learning, and the necessity of fostering imagination in students. We discuss some of the challenges faced by educators today and the need for community among teachers. The conversation highlights the integral connection between joy, wonder, and the holistic development of both students and teachers in the educational journey.

Topics Covered:

• Education and human flourishing
• The holistic vision of knowledge
• The poetic mode of learning, which engages the heart and imagination
• The importance of wonder, beauty, and the imagination in education
• The need for community and friendship among teachers

Guests:

Since his priestly ordination in 1985, Bishop James D. Conley has served the Catholic Church in a wide variety of ways—as pastor, college campus chaplain, director of Respect Life ministries, theology instructor, Vatican official and bishop. In all of these tasks, he has seen his life as a priest as a call to service and complete surrender to "God’s providential hand." For his episcopal motto, Bishop Conley, a convert to the Catholic faith, chose the same motto as the great 19th-century English convert, John Henry Cardinal Newman, "cor ad cor loquitur," which means "heart speaks to heart." On Sept. 14, 2012, Pope Benedict XVI appointed Bishop Conley as the bishop of the Lincoln Diocese in Nebraska. He was installed as the ninth Bishop of Lincoln on Nov. 20, 2012.

Timestamps:

00:00 Introduction
05:44 The Human Person and Education
08:39 The Role of Wonder in Education
12:38 Faith and Science: A Harmonious Relationship
15:58 The Poetic Imagination and Education
27:02 Mental Health and the Modern Generation
33:13 Engaging the Senses in Learning
34:19 Teacher Burnout and Finding Joy in Teaching
38:25 The Role of Humility in Teaching
40:36 The Human Element in Education
41:04 The Journey of Learning Together

Resources & Links:

Bishop Conley's Pastoral Letter on Mental Health (2024): https://www.lincolndiocese.org/afuturewithhope

Bishop Conley's Pastoral Letter on Catholic Education (2024): https://www.lincolndiocese.org/joyandwonder

Classical Education Master’s Program at the University of Dallas: udallas.edu/classical-ed

St. Ambrose Center Professional Development for Teachers and Administrators: https://k12classical.udallas.edu/

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Summary

In this episode, we discuss some of the principles and practices of classical education, particularly as we understand it at the University of Dallas. You’ll discover some of the aspects that make classical education distinctive and the importance of understanding the truth of the human person to education.

Topics

• Classical education and the understanding of the human person
• Art and experience in learning
• Awakening wonder in students
• Learning is a continuous journey for both students and educators
• The study of classical education at UD

Guests

Dr. Paul Weinhold is the Director of the Classical Education Graduate Program, Assistant Dean of the Braniff Graduate School, and Affiliate Assistant Professor of Classical Education at the University of Dallas. For the past twenty years, he has been a teacher and leader in the classical education movement, serving as National Director of Continuing Education, Headmaster, Assistant Headmaster, Academic Dean, and Humane Letters Master Teacher for Great Hearts Academies.

Mr. William Perales is the Director of the St. Ambrose Center for Catholic Liberal Education and Culture at the University of Dallas. He has over twenty years of experience in Catholic education as a teacher and principal at both the elementary and high school levels. He assists schools transitioning to a classical liberal arts vision, has designed curriculum for grades K-12, and leads professional development workshops for teachers and administrators.

Timestamps:

00:00 Welcome to the Podcast!

05:52 Personal Journeys into Classical Education

12:03 Diverse Expressions of Classical Education

20:01 Theoretical Foundations: Truth, Goodness, and Beauty

26:19 Enculturation and Human Flourishing

32:54 Understanding the Human Person in Education

36:00 Experiential Learning in Education

39:25 The Importance of Engagement with Literature

45:01 Classical Education's Holistic Approach

50:46 Distinctives of the University of Dallas

55:36 Practical Applications in Classical Education

01:01:07 Lifelong Learning and Community in Education

01:06:02 Conclusion

Resources & Links

The Classical Education Master’s Program at the University of Dallas: https://udallas.edu/classical-ed

The St. Ambrose Center for Catholic Liberal Education and Culture Professional Development for Teachers and Administrators: https://k12classical.udallas.edu/professional-development/

Support the show

If you enjoyed the show, please leave a rating and review — it helps others find us!