Paideia Academy Podcast

In this episode, Senior Girls reflect over the course of their time as students at Paideia Academy. We invite you to hear how they overcame challenges, grew in their faith, polished their rhetorical skills, mentored others, made lasting memories, and developed lifelong friendships within the Halls of our beloved school.

In this episode, Pre-K teacher Deena Parks and 3rd Grade teacher Grace Duell share a classical Christian perspective on shepherding and challenging their students mentally, physically, and spiritually. We invite you to hear their thoughts on the significance of recitation/memory work in the grammar school stage, the benefits of unstructured play in the development of young minds, and the centrality of Scripture and prayer in a truly Christ-centered school.

In this episode, Upper School (& 6th Grade) Math teacher Jared Iles shares his passion for mathematics and how it clearly points to our loving, Creator God. We invite you to hear his thoughts on the significance of encountering objective truth in math, the value of wrestling with difficult problems, and what he hopes all of his students will remember about his math class years after they have graduated.

In this episode, Senior-level Greek teacher Sean Morris shares his love for the study of Koine Greek and its influence in Christian theology. We invite you to hear his thoughts on the beauty of reading Scripture in its original source language, what he hopes his students will take away from his Greek class, and a how reading the Greek New Testament has shaped his understanding of Good Friday and the crucifixion.

In this episode, Lower School Writing/Upper School Chemistry and Omnibus Teacher (as well as Academic Dean) Janet Carr shares her expertise on the value of liturgy and structured rhythms within the classroom in order to build helpful student habits and deepen understanding. We invite you to hear her thoughts on the lower school student transition to upper school (from 6th to 7th grade), specific activities and liturgies she has found to be effective, and what she hopes all her students will remember not so much regarding WHAT they learned in her classroom but HOW they learned it.

In this episode, Paideia parent Brian Morgan shares his experience as a father who is deeply involved in the life of the school and has a strong desire to raise His children as the Bible teaches him to do so. We invite you to hear the story of how his family found Paideia, what it means to bring his children up in the Paideia (nurture/admonition) of the Lord, and how the school's in loco parentis model has come alongside his family to assist him and his wife as the primary educators of their family. We hope this episode will prove to be both practical AND encouraging to all of our parents who are doing the hard work of raising godly sons and daughters!

In this episode, our Upper School Theater (Theatre) Director Taylor Phillips shares her love for the stage on a personal and spiritual level. We invite you to hear her insights on the unique challenges theatre poses, the skills it develops in students, and how a classical Christian school operates differently when thinking about theatre through the lens of the greatest story ever told: the Christian story of redemption.

In this episode, Lower & Upper School Latin Teacher Tracey Carrin shares her zealous passion for the Latin language and lifelong learning. We invite you to hear her thoughts on what makes learning Latin so worthwhile, from the life lessons it teaches about diligence and delayed gratification to the writing and speaking skills it clearly cultivates. You will also get to hear her best advice to students, parents, and graduates, whom she hopes will all develop a "begruding love" for the Latin language and a passion to embrace lifelong learning.

In this episode, Senior student Jordan Moon shares his passion for defending the Christian faith in order to both share the gospel with unbelievers and also to strengthen the faith of fellow believers. We invite you to hear his thoughts on how Paideia has helped him to grow in his faith and his love of God's Word. You will also get to hear about how Jordan puts apologetics into action through his social media channel (Redeeming Theology), and you will hear his encouragement to those who feel hesitant to embrace apologetics as part of their faith in Jesus Christ.

In this episode, Head of School Doug Carr shares what he believes makes both Paideia families and Paideia faculty/staff members so special.We invite you to hear his favorite parts about partnering with Paideia families and leading the Paideia staff/faculty, from small moments like morning carline to larger ones such as giving tours and hosting innovative faculty meetings. Finally, he provides some updates regarding special, exciting events coming up this Spring and leaves listeners with one thing he hopes all Paideia alumni will remember about their time at Paideia.

In this episode, Lower School Science Teacher Cathy Tanner shares how she has seen God's hand at work in the life of Paideia Academy during her 18 total years at the school (15 as a teacher, 3 additional as a parent). She also discusses her theology of science, closely tied to Psalm 19:1, which states, "The heavens declare the glory of God, and the sky above proclaims his handiwork." We invite you to hear her favorite ways to teach science in a distinctly classical, Christian manner, her methods to guide students to both marvel at God's creation and to also study it carefully, and the things she hopes her students will remember about science long after they've forgotten the details/figures/facts.

In this episode, Chorus Director Doris Moreland shares her vision for the Paideia Academy Chorus and her contagious passion for singing songs as an act of worship to the LORD.We invite you to hear her thoughts on a healthy "theology of music," the ways she has seen God grow the choral program over the past few years, and her recommendations to listeners regarding timeless pieces of music to which they should absolutely listen (and finally, some advice to people on the fence regarding whether or not they should join chorus!).

In this episode, 6th-grade Homeroom Teacher (and Upper School Greek Instructor) Stephen Pardue shares his deep-seated love for teaching 6th graders, with a specific focus on guiding them through C.S. Lewis's renowned book series, The Chronicles of Narnia. We invite you to hear his thoughts on the proper order in which to read the Chronicles of Narnia, the Biblical truths he has helped his students glean from the stories, and lessons he hopes his students will remember after they have "graduated" from his 6th-grade classroom.

In this episode, Upper School Dean of Faculty/Humanities Chair and Dean of Heidelberg Hall, Aaron Gentry, shares what makes classical, Christian education so distinct and effective: the use of Socratic dialogue. We invite you to hear his thoughts on why Socratic dialogue is so effective, ways to deal with awkwardness/disagreements within the classroom, and things he hopes his students will remember as they graduate and enter into the real world.

In this episode, seniors Scout Wilson and Nora Bradshaw reflect on many an Upper School students' favorite part of Paideia: the Hall System in the Upper School. They focus on the building of the culture of their own Hall, Athanasian Hall. We invite you to hear their thoughts on winning last year's Hall cup, their favorite memories over their 6 years in the upper school, and advice they have for students awaiting their Hall placement in the future.

Some brief remarks from Dean of Student Culture, Mr. Averitt, as he previews what's ahead for the podcast this coming year!