Fall Retreat 2025

Description:

Coming soon!

Biography:

Dr. Brian A. Williams is Dean of the Templeton Honors College, Associate Professor of Ethics and Liberal Studies, and Co-Director of Templeton’s Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT). Before coming to Eastern, he was Lecturer in Theology and Christian Ethics at the University of Oxford and Director of Oxford Conversations.

He holds an MPhil and DPhil in Christian Ethics from the University of Oxford (UK), where he was a Clarendon Scholar; an MA and ThM in Systematic and Historical Theology from Regent College (Vancouver, Canada); and a BA in Biblical Studies from Ozark Christian College (Joplin, MO).

His current research examines the tradition of Christian Liberal Arts Education, focusing on the works of Hugh of St. Victor, Philip Melanchthon, John Henry Newman, and others. Dr. Williams’ broader academic interests include virtue ethics, Christian and Muslim political thought, Karl Barth’s theology and politics, contemporary classical education, and Dante Alighieri’s Commedia. He is the author of The Potter’s Rib: The History, Theology, and Practice of Mentoring for Pastoral Formation (Regent College Publishing); co-editor of Everyday Ethics: Moral Theology and the Practices of Ordinary Life (Georgetown University Press); and General Editor of Principia: A Journal of Classical Education.

Dr. Williams is a National Alcuin Fellow, a Research Fellow with the Institute of Classical Education, a member of the Academic Board of Advisors for the Classic Learning Test (CLT), and an Advisory Board Member for the Classic Liberal Education Network (CLEN).

He is married to Kim Williams and has three children: Ilia, Brecon, and Maeve.

Description:

Drawing inspiration from wisdom psalms, poetry, and trees, Atwood addresses the critical need for leaders of classical Christian schools to flourish as individuals rooted in Scripture, the Great Tradition, and the poetic mode of learning. By contemplating God’s truth, beauty, and goodness in nature, Scripture, poetry, and great books, leaders can grow in virtue by modeling their lives after evergreen truths and principles no matter how profound or mundane. Whether it’s beholding a majestic sycamore or leisurely observing the resprouting of a stumped poplar, each stirs the imagination and causes the soul to swell with longing, teaching leaders to be true to themselves, others, and their schools; to bloom wherever they are planted; to counter the hustle culture all around them; and to flourish as human beings both within and outside of the context of their vocation.

Biography:
Preston Atwood (PhD, University of Wisconsin-Madison) is the head of school at Westminster Academy in Memphis, TN, and a coach for classical Christian school start-ups. He loves great books, poetry, music composition, research, writing, and long walks in nature with his wife Emily and nine children. Preston is the author of two books, including Cantate Domino: A Liturgical Songbook for Classical Christian Schools (2024). He is the composer of a piano album titled Fusing Canons (2024), which includes original piano compositions depicting scenes, characters, and themes from the Great Books. He is currently producing a second album that draws its inspiration from trees in mythology, Scripture, literature, poetry, and his own life.

Description:

In the book, The Good Teacher: Ten Key Pedagogical Principles That Will Transform Your Teaching, Chris Perrin and Carrie Eben outline universal principles rather than techniques for teachers to not only be skilled teachers but virtuous humans. How can administrators help teachers be good in personal virtue and practice? Because the ten principles are universal in nature, they also offer administrators a soil to cultivate goodness within their staff and faculty culture. By attending to the principles, administrators can create hospitable spaces for teachers and staff to flourish and in turn, help prosper students. In this session, Carrie will unveil the principles from the book and guide administrators to discern how these principles can be implemented in their own education spaces.

Biography:
For over twenty-five years, Carrie Eben has championed classical education in both the private school classroom and homeschool arenas. She currently serves as founding board member at Sager Classical Academy and a Head Mentor for the Ozark Mountain Master Teacher Apprenticeship for the CiRCE Institute. As a consultant, she develops and delivers customized workshops for administrators, teachers, and parents in both classical school and homeschool settings (www.classicaleben.com). Carrie holds a BSE in Intermediate Education from John Brown University, a MSEd in Curriculum and Instruction from Oklahoma State University and is a PhD student in the Humanities program at Faulkner University. She is co-author of The Good Teacher: Ten Key Pedagogical Principles that will Transform Your Teaching with Dr. Christopher Perrin.

Description:

Geneva Academy, founded in 1559 from John Calvin’s long-held vision, quickly became a training ground for generations of pastors and scholars devoted to “the glory of God and the edification of the Church.” Its commitment to uniting piety and learning made it one of the most influential institutions of the Reformation. Geneva not only modeled the integration of Scripture and the liberal arts but also testified to the providence and faithfulness of God in raising up leaders for His Church.

At the center of this story is Theodore Beza, the Academy’s first Rector and Calvin’s chosen successor. Beza’s scholarship, wisdom, and pastoral leadership shaped the Academy’s enduring legacy, but it was his faithfulness in prolonged suffering that became the true platform for his ministry. Under Beza’s guidance, Geneva Academy became a living witness to the power of formative, classical education rooted in pastoral devotion and theological conviction. This legacy continues challenging us to embrace education as forming whole persons for the flourishing of the Church.

Biography:
Eric Cook is the President and CEO of the Society for Classical Learning (SCL), an organization dedicated to fostering human flourishing through the advancement of classical Christian education. He provides executive leadership for SCL, overseeing the organization’s vision, strategy, thought leadership, and fundraising efforts. As President and CEO, Eric plays a pivotal role in the classical Christian school movement, seeking to revive timeless principles to reform education, renew culture, and promote human flourishing.

Over his time at SCL, Eric has made leadership development a top priority, equipping leaders to serve the classical Christian school movement. In 2021, he worked alongside SCL colleagues and Dr. Michael Lindsay, then President of Gordon College, to design and launch the first Masters program specifically tailored for classical Christian school leaders. The program is graduating cohorts of leaders filling key positions in the movement. Eric is the Co-Director of the program as well as an adjunct professor.

In his role as SCL President and CEO, Eric also leads the Arete Fellows, a group of 25 seasoned heads of school from across the country who provide feedback, wisdom, and insight to Eric and the SCL leadership team. This important advisory committee is mentoring younger leaders, working closely on SCL projects, and providing leadership for the movement’s most challenging issues and questions. In 2024, SCL launched its inaugural year accreditation program largely formed by the input and participation of the Arete Fellows.

As a consultant to dozens of schools across the United States, Eric has worked with school leaders to grow thriving schools, mature their governance models, conduct strategic planning sessions, and equip their key leaders. In 2020, Eric developed a head of school coaching program specifically designed for classical Christian school leaders. The program focuses on ensuring that wisdom and virtue are not merely theoretical commitments, but embodied both in the character and daily decisions of prudent leaders.

Eric works collaboratively with leaders and organizations across a vast network. He is a board member of the Classic Learning Test, an advisory board member with the Spreading Hope Network, an advisory board member of the Classical Liberal Education Network in England, and an advisory board member of the Center for Education and Public Policy at the University of Austin. Eric writes and speaks on a variety of topics from governance to philosophy to pedagogy. He has presented at numerous universities, conferences, and events over his time as President of SCL, both in the U.S. and abroad.

Previously, Eric was the Head of School at Covenant Classical School in Fort Worth, Texas from 2009 to 2022. During his leadership tenure, the school grew from 180 students to well over 400. Covenant is currently one of the leading schools in Fort Worth and the classical Christian movement. The school has full enrollment, a beautiful classically designed campus, and a dynamic leadership team.

Over Eric’s educational career he has taught history, philosophy, apologetics, thesis, world religions, reformation theology, rhetoric, political science, psychology, and civics. He also developed numerous programs, including a Philosophy Club, Civic Society, and a variety of reading groups.

Eric received an Ed.S. in Classical School Leadership from Gordon College in 2023. He also holds an M.A. in Instructional Leadership from Northern Kentucky University and a B.A. in Education from Transylvania University. He started his career in public school as a history teacher and administrator before moving into classical Christian education as Upper School Head at Faith Christian School in Roanoke, Virginia in 2007. Eric and his wife, Liz, have six children and live in Charlottesville, Virginia.