Combating the 8th Grade Melt

Zachary Dombrowski, upper school humanities teacher at Golden View Classical Academy in Golden, Colorado, joins host Scot Bertram to discuss planning a history course, how a teacher's personal knowledge can help improve classroom instruction, and how teachers can improve the flow of conversation in class. Learn more: https://k12.hillsdale.edu/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Monica Dix, art teacher at Naples Classical Academy in Naples, Florida, joins host Scot Bertram to discuss beauty in the classroom, whether simplicity can be beautiful, and how much freedom administrators should give teachers to shape their classrooms. Learn more: https://k12.hillsdale.edu/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Paul Hosmer, chairman and associate professor of physics at Hillsdale College, joins host Scot Bertram to discuss physics and the liberal arts, the laws of nature, and how teachers can help students see physics as much more than just a collection of formulas and calculations. Learn more: https://k12.hillsdale.edu/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Mike Roberts, headmaster at Hillsdale Academy in Hillsdale, Michigan, joins host Scot Bertram to discuss the Hillsdale Academy tradition of running an eliminator race, how the event fits into classical education, and the virtues instilled through long-distance running. Learn more: https://k12.hillsdale.edu/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Aaron Schepps, upper school principal at Atlanta Classical Academy in Atlanta, Georgia, joins host Scot Bertram to discuss the problem of students leaving classical schools after 8th grade, why the "8th grade melt" exists, and how teachers can guide the conversation to encourage students to continue their classical education. Learn more: https://k12.hillsdale.edu/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Kathleen O’Toole, associate vice president for K-12 Education at Hillsdale College, and Robert Pondiscio discuss his Atlanta Classical Academy commencement speech, the value of learning together in a community, and the promise and perils of AI in education. Robert Pondiscio is a senior fellow at the American Enterprise Institute (AEI) and an affiliate of AEI’s James Q. Wilson Program in K–12 Education Studies, where he focuses on K–12 education, curriculum, teaching, school choice, and charter schooling.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Kevin H. Gary, associate professor of education at Hillsdale College, joins host Scot Bertram to discuss the differences between orators and philosophers, the disciplines of rhetoric and philosophy, and how teachers can cultivate a balance between rhetoric and philosophy in the classroom. Learn more: https://k12.hillsdale.edu/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Rosa Kubala, kindergarten teacher and student leadership advisor at Founders Classical Academy of Las Vegas in Las Vegas, Nevada, joins host Scot Bertram to discuss how parents can help to prepare their child for success before they enter the classroom, the role of parents in education, and the many lessons she has learned in her time as a kindergarten teacher. Learn more: https://k12.hillsdale.edu/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Kathleen O’Toole, associate vice president for K-12 Education at Hillsdale College, delivers a lecture elaborating on the relationships between liberal, civic, and moral education and their aims. Dr. O'Toole delivered this lecture as part of the Classical Education Forum on Hillsdale College's campus on February 12th, 2026. Learn more: https://k12.hillsdale.edu/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Chris McCourry, artist and director of jazz ensembles at Hillsdale College, joins host Scot Bertram to discuss the principles of jazz music, what makes a great jazz musician, and what jazz music can teach us about democracy. Learn more: https://k12.hillsdale.edu/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.