Recently I joined an online seminar for homeschooling parents seeking to learn more about how to teach with a classical pedagogy (method/philosophy).

I started my professional teaching career 25 years ago. As a special education teacher I relished the opportunity to go "off the grid" within the building because, here's the secret, once your students are too low functioning to take the state-mandated tests nobody cares what the heck you're doing. In an atmosphere of constantly increasing pressure to push kids it was a relief to walk into my classroom, shut the door behind me, and let kids be their true selves. Let them love learning. Let them feel success every day--every single day. Let them be happy and watch them grow and thrive. I didn't lower my standards; but I did meet students where they truly were instead of kowtowing to a politician, or, actually, the curriculum mega-company lobbyist who bought the politician.

All that to say that I've always had a strong opinion about how students should experience learning. I did my best, within the constraints of a modern public school classroom, to make learning meaningful and personal to each child.

But, there was always something missing. It's pretty hard to spark wonder between precisely 10:17 and 10:34. Or to lead students in quiet focus when 250 kids are shuffling in and out of the massive metal double doors that lead to the playground adjacent to your classroom. Or to convince the parapro that reading and memorizing a poem is equally beneficial to the soul as memorizing math facts. Or, for that matter, that yes, in this room we will teach math facts because training the memory is just as important as knowing the facts and while it may be easier to shove the kid a calculator to get that worksheet done the point of the worksheet isn't to get done, but rather its purpose is to be a written record of prior memorization....oh, whatever, I give up.

So, after two-plus decades into my career I am shifting to a completely different methodology that feels right to the bottom of my soul. Every single thing I read fills a painful ache. I am so excited! So energized!

Here's just one example:

Modern education seeks to constantly problem solve on the micro level. Every obstacle to students churning out work is to be analyzed and forcefully problem-solved. Student tapping his pencil during a lesson? Identify the problem: pencils! Apply classroom management policy: remove pencils during instruction; pass them out just before usage!

Classical education seeks to remain in the macro realm; at the big picture level. First, let us set lofty goals for shaping the next generation into contributing members of society. Then, let us create an environment that nurtures growth in all that we value. Student tapping his pencil during a lesson? Stop, observe, wonder. Does the student need habit training in respecting his peers' need for quiet? Doe the student need the opportunity to move while thinking? Is this text beyond the student--do we need to inspire him to push through while acknowledging his struggle or do we need to back off and give him another text? Many solutions are available; find that which teaches self-control and discipline while also acknowledging each individual human's needs.

The above may seem like a petty example. But, if you knew how many hours I've spent in IEP meetings verbally wrestling with gen ed teachers completely bent out of shape over a pencil tapping habit--you'd understand my relief at finding a whole new pedagogy that lifts our eyes from the petty to the sublime.

Early on I understood that "special" ed was just a fix for all that was broken in "regular" ed. My classroom was the refuge for those who could not withstand the pressure of a broken system.

I now see a home education practicing a classical pedagogy as a refuge for my own children. That they may always be valued and loved for their own unique selves. That they may be inspired and shaped into strong, healthy, well-read adults.

I am so grateful to be on this new adventure!

(For more information: https://www.circeinstitute.org/)