Paul Drake

Staying Mission True

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The natural tendency for any organization is to drift off course. It is the rule rather than the exception. So how do classical Christian schools become the exception rather than the rule? How do we stay true to our mission, even as we experience growth and success? In this seminar, we will look at indicators and warning signs for potential drift. en we will explore principles and practices your school can embrace and employ to stay the course, actually deepening your mission rather than drifting from it.

Keith Nix

Keith has served as the Head of School at Veritas School in Richmond, Virginia, since 2010. Keith is also the Vice Chairman of the Board of the Association of Classical and Christian Schools (ACCS) and President of the Board of Academic Advisors for the Classic Learning Initiatives (CLT). He was the prior Chairman of the Society for Classical Learning (SCL). Keith and his wife, Kim, have two grown sons, and a daughter in college. Keith enjoys tennis, golf, travel and reading.

Paul Drake

The “How” of Reading Instruction: The Importance of a Systematic Approach to Early Literacy and Reading Achievement

Posted on by Paul Drake
The “How” of Reading Instruction: The Importance of A Systematic Approach to Early Literacy and Reading Achievement

Teacher preparation and knowledge are fundamental to reading achievement. In this session, we will discuss why a systematic phonetic approach to reading instruction is classical, brain-based and e ective. Understanding how the brain functions and being knowledgeable of best practices is necessary for e ective reading instruction. We will address the obstacles that get in the way of the reading process and how
to come alongside struggling readers. Practical strategies for providing support in the grammar school classroom will be shared. Participants will be able to apply their knowledge of reading development into e ective instructional practices.

Jessica Gombert

Jessica Gombert is in her 14th year as the Grammar School Headmaster at e Geneva School of Boerne. She holds a master's degree in education and has been involved in many aspects of education for over 28 years. Her teaching experiences include special education, Kindergarten, alternative certification programs and student teacher supervision at the University of Texas at San Antonio. She has a passion for encouraging students and teachers to become lifelong learners and for classical Christian education. She teaches reading in Lusaka, Zambia, in the summers and is currently writing children’s readers to supplement Geneva's phonics curriculum.

Melissa Siller

Melissa Siller a PhD candidate in interdisciplinary learning and teaching at the University of Texas at San Antonio. She has spent the last 20 years in various areas of education, including assessment item writing, classroom teaching and teaching pre-service teachers in eld-based teacher education. She is currently in her sixth year as the Reading Specialist at e Geneva School of Boerne. In addition, she is an adjunct faculty member in Trinity University's Department of Education. Her research focuses on teacher education, brain- based teaching practices, curriculum and inquiry, as well as beginning in-service teacher induction support.

Paul Drake

God’s Glory in Your Students

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What does it mean for our students to be image- bearers? Do our students all bear God’s image in the same way? Can we play a significant role in communicating to our students about God’s unique image borne out in them? Through personal stories and powerful imagery, this session will deepen your understanding of the profound role we play as educators in helping our students see that God has placed His image — though faded — of the Good Life in the depths of their hearts. After attending this session, a teacher with more than 30 years of experience commented that this presentation had a greater impact on how she saw herself as a teacher than any other.

Peter Baur

Peter Baur has been involved in independent education for nearly 40 years and has held roles in several environments, including start-up classical Christian schools and “elite” private schools with over 150 years of history. Peter has served in nearly every capacity, including PR/Marketing, curriculum development, Head of School, development/fundraising, special events, college guidance, admission, advisory, teaching and coaching. In addition, Peter has led schools and churches in strategic planning, has presented at CiRCE, ACCS and SCL, and been a featured speaker at schools around the nation. Peter is known for his ability to articulate classical Christian education in a simple, practical manner. Peter is the only SCL Fellow elected prior to becoming a Head of School.

Paul Drake

Nature and Vision of Classical Christian Education

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What is classical Christian education? How is it different from other approaches to education? How can we clearly and succinctly explain the nature and vision
of classical Christian education despite its long and complicated history? This seminar addresses these questions by examining some of the essential defining characteristics of classical Christian education, such as its foundational assumptions, goals, curriculum and pedagogy. While there is no single reductive formula for classical Christian education, these key characteristics distinguish it from other educational paradigms in important ways and provide a framework for clearly and succinctly explaining what it is all about.

David Diener

Dr. David Diener began his post-secondary education at Wheaton College, where he graduated summa cum laude with a bachelor’s degree in philosophy and ancient languages. After putting his philosophical training to work by building custom cabinets and doing high-end finish carpentry for an Amish company, he moved with his wife to Bogotá, Colombia, where they served as missionaries for three years at a Christian international school. He then attended Indiana University, where he earned a master’s degree in philosophy, another master’s degree in history and philosophy of education, and a dual doctorate in philosophy and philosophy of education. He has taught at The Stony Brook School on Long Island, served as Head of Upper Schools at Covenant Classical School in Fort Worth, Texas, and currently is the Head of School at Grace Academy in Georgetown, Texas. He also teaches philosophy courses at Taylor University, is an Alcuin Fellow and offers consulting services through Classical Academic Press. He is the author of Plato: The Great Philosopher-Educator and serves as the series editor for Classical Academic Press’ Giants in the History of Education. The Dieners have four wonderful children and are passionate about classical Christian education and the impact it can have on the church, our society and the world.

Paul Drake

The Centrality of Virtue in the Ancient Understanding of Education

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In the contemporary discourse about education, discussion of virtue as the goal of education is strikingly absent. When “virtue education” is mentioned, it is generally treated as an add-on to the curriculum, not as the overarching goal of everything that is studied. This conception
of education, however, stands in stark contrast to the ancient understanding that the primary purpose of education is is the cultivation of students into virtuous human beings. While this understanding of education can be seen across a wide swath of thinkers throughout history, in this seminar we will examine two key ancient thinkers: Plato and Aristotle. In focusing on their understanding of the purpose of education, we will explore the central role that virtue plays in their thought and how we can apply their insights today.

David Diener

Dr. David Diener began his formal post-secondary education at Wheaton College where he graduated Summa Cum Laude with an undergraduate degree in Philosophy and Ancient Languages. After putting his philosophical training to work by building custom cabinets and doing high-end nish carpentry for an Amish company, he moved with his wife to Bogotá, Colombia, where they served as missionaries for three years at a Christian international school. He then a ended graduate school at Indiana University where he earned a M.A. in Philosophy, a M.S. in History and Philosophy of Education, and a dual Ph.D. in Philosophy and Philosophy of Education. A er teaching for one year at The Stony Brook School on Long Island he moved to Fort Worth, Texas, where he served as Head of Upper Schools at Covenant Classical School. He now is the new Headmaster at Grace Academy in Georgetown, Texas.

Paul Drake

Building School Culture

Posted on by Paul Drake

Culture trumps strategy every time! Your school’s health, and future, will be determined by your culture more than any other single factor. Is your culture healthy? How do you know? What are you doing to ensure that you are creating the right environment to accomplish your mission?

Keith Nix

Keith Nix is the Head of School at Veritas School in Richmond, VA. Prior to moving to Veritas in 2010, he served at Westminster School in Birmingham, where he and his family had been involved since the schools early days. He is an Arête Fellow and serves as the board chair for the Society for Classical Learning. He is married to Kim, who is an artist, and they have three children.