Developing Classical Thinkers

Latest Episodes:

Data Matters with Hilary Herman-Pagliolo Dec 13, 2022

Show notes

In this episode, Winston speaks with Hilary Herman-Pagliolo, senior administrator and longtime Thales Academy teacher and leader. Building on her talk from the Fall Classical Summit, Mrs. Herman talks about the importance of looking at student data and using that information to make decisions for their students.
Mrs. Herman received a Bachelor’s degree from the University of Pittsburgh and a Master’s of School Administration from North Carolina State University. Prior to serving Thales Academy, Mrs. Herman spent seven years teaching in public and charter schools.

Making It Stick: Thales Press Webinar with Matt Ogle and Winston Brady Dec 06, 2022

Show notes

The process of learning involves cooperation between the teacher and the student. Teachers traditionally spend a lot of time and energy learning and practicing their skills of communication and class management in order to improve their own ability to teach. It is less common that students put in the time to learn and practice the skills or best practices of learning itself. There are many potential reasons this is the case, but at Thales Academy, we advocate for students to take responsibility for their own learning since, after all, it is impossible to have a proxy do it for you.
In this webinar, Matt Ogle and Winston Brady will present some findings from modern scientific research about how we learn and take in information, along with studying tips to help students make the most of their time in school. Learning is not accomplished unless information can remember that information when they need it, and we hope to inspire all students to learn more effectively and make durable lasting memories.

How to Listen: An Interview with Richard Dryer Dec 06, 2022

Show notes

In this episode, Winston interviews Richard Dryer, the longtime band director and history teacher at Thales Academy Apex.
Richard explains how to listen to classical music, some important concepts and ideas to consider when choosing a piece of music, and what to look for (or listen for) when listening to a piece of beautiful music.
Mr. Dryer holds a B.M.E. from Butler University and a M.M. in Clarinet Performance from Kent State University. Mr. Dryer teaches Band.
Theme music is from John Harrison and Witchita State University Chamber Players.

Benjamin Quinn and the (Classical) Education of Augustine of Hippo Nov 29, 2022

Show notes

In this episode, Winston Brady speaks with Benjamin Quinn about the life and education of Augustine of Hippo, a 5th c. AD theologian and philosopher.
This episode is adapted from a talk Dr. Quinn gave at the Fall Classical Summit in October 2022, where he presented an overview of the life of Augustine and his educational journey from a rebellious teenager to one of the foremost writers of Late Roman Antiquity.
Benjamin Quinn serves as the Associate Professor of Theology and History of Ideas and the Associate Director of the Center for Faith and Culture at Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary in Wake Forest. He earned his doctorate at the University of Bristol on Augustine and the wisdom tradition.

Happy Thanksgiving Nov 22, 2022

Show notes

According to tradition, the first Thanksgiving was celebrated at Plymouth Plantation in 1621. Check out this episode to hear a brief history of the holiday and some lessons gleaned from a classical education.
Theme music from John Harrison and the Wichita State University Chamber Players.

Empowerment, Exit and Entrepreneurship: An interview with FEE's Kerry McDonald Nov 15, 2022

Show notes

On today's episode, Winston interviews Kerry McDonald, a Senior Education Fellow at the Foundation for Economic Education and host of the LiberatED podcast, a podcast on recent trends in education.
Kerry's work has appeared in FEE, the Cato Institute (where she is also an adjunct scholar), and Forbes, with her columns focusing on school choice, educational entrepreneurship, and alternatives to conventional schooling.
Find out more about her work at FEE here: https://fee.org/people/kerry-mcdonald/
and more about her book, "Unschooled: Raising Curious, Well-Educated Children Outside the Conventional Classroom," on Amazon, available here: https://amzn.to/3ExxH74
Today's theme music is from John Harrison and Wichita State University Chamber Players.

Welcoming, Enriching, & Orderly: Cultivating a Joyful Classroom with Ashley Bahor Nov 10, 2022

Show notes

In this episode, Winston Brady speaks with Ashley Bahor on classroom management and pedagogy and the means by which teachers can create a welcoming and enriching classroom environment.
Theme music from John Harrison and Wichita University Chamber Players.

Review of "Freedom and Evolution" with Bob Luddy Nov 08, 2022

Show notes

Founder of Thales Academy and Thales College Bob Luddy discusses Adrian Bejan's book "Freedom and Evolution". Bejan is a J. A. Jones Distinguished Professor of Mechanical Engineering at Duke University, a notable author, and a leading scientist in the field of thermodynamics. In his work, Freedom & Evolution, Dr. Bejan explores the relationship between freedom and evolution through the lens of physics and thermodynamics and notably grounds freedom in the observable, natural world.
Bob's Book Review is a periodic webinar led by Bob Luddy, the founder of Thales Academy, Thales College, and CaptiveAire. Learn more about upcoming webinars and all Thales Press events at https://www.thalesacademy.org/resources/thales-press

Recreating Galileo's Thought Experiments Nov 03, 2022

Show notes

Humanities teachers have great books, and science teachers have groundbreaking experiments. In this episode, physics teacher Beth Lewis talks with Winston Brady about how science and STEM teachers can help teachers recreate some of the experiments described in Galileo's "Two New Sciences," including Galileo's "Leaning Tower of Pisa" experiment and calculating the acceleration due to gravity.
Check out the Thales Press reader here: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1S39rEFRHlVgV1ET_sQB_lZ2uD5ak7e3q/view?usp=share_link
Want to Readers with selections from Galileo's Two New Sciences and detailed instructions on how to set up the experiments will be made available digitally to workshop participants.

Anika Prather and The Black Intellectual Tradition Nov 01, 2022

Show notes

In this special Zoom session from the Fall Classical Summit, Dr. Anika Prather discusses her new book, "The Black Intellectual Tradition: Reading Freedom in Classical Literature," co-written with Dr. Angel Parham. "The Black Intellectual Tradition" details the powerful legacy of classical education among Black intellectuals and teachers in America.
Check out the book at Classical Academic Press: https://classicalacademicpress.com/products/the-black-intellectual-tradition?_pos=1&_sid=b9987d8c6&_ss=r
About Dr. Prather: Dr. Anika T. Prather earned her B.A. from Howard University in elementary education. She also has earned several graduate degrees in education from New York University and Howard University. She has a Masters in liberal arts from St. John’s College (Annapolis) and a PhD in English, Theatre and Literacy Education from the University of Maryland (College Park). Her research focus is on building literacy with African American students through engagement in the books of the Canon and self-published her book "Living in the Constellation of the Canon: The Lived Experiences of African American Students Reading Great Books Literature." She has served as a teacher, supervisor for student teachers, director of education and Head of School. Currently she is a sought after speaker on the topic of the relevancy of classical studies to the Black community. She teaches in the English dept at Howard University, serves as Director High Quality Curriculum and Instruction at Johns Hopkins University, and is the founder of The Living Water School, located in Southern Maryland.

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