American Thought Leaders: Why We Teach Our First Graders Shakespeare. Host: Jan Jekielek; Guest Michael Fitzgerald (11/30/24, podcast 58min)
Michael Fitzgerald is principal of Northern Schoolhouse, an upstate New York private elementary school (Grades 1-5) focused on classical literature and art, immersion in nature, and nurturing strong moral character based on time-tested virtues. It’s a part of a larger system called Northern Academy, which was originally a middle school and high school that serves grades six through 12. Tuition is about $24K per student.
Although this interview focuses on a tiny school, it should provide inspiration for any student, teacher, administrator, homeschool or public school parent. We can do better wherever we choose to educate our kids!
Michael Fitzgerald quotes from the interview:
This is the trend in education: ‘It doesn’t matter what you’re reading, as long as you’re reading.’ And I actually disagree with that. I think it’s very important what you’re reading.
In the end, we want them becoming autonomous people who know how to move themselves well through the world, as truly good people who recognize beauty.
If you recognize beauty, you can recognize what’s good. And those are highly correlated in the classical world, especially in the Socratic sense. They talk a lot about truth, beauty, and goodness.
Quotes from Northern Schoolhouse website:
Our Mission: To inspire goodness in the hearts of children
Our Values: Your child’s character is shaped by what they pay attention to. We teach them to cultivate the Three Paths of Attention: Knowledge, Genius, & Heart.
Our Purpose: The most important thing we can give our children is a superb education—to help them dispel ignorance and take the first steps on their paths toward wisdom—as they become leaders, adventurers, and fearless contributors.
Related:
Epoch Times: Idaho Couple Revives Classical Education at Northern Schoolhouse. By Cara Ding (03/16/23): theepochtimes.com/us/id…
Umbrellas, Community Schools, United Way & School Board Meetings: eolson47.substack.com/p…
Northern Schoolhouse Website:
