There seems to be an epidemic today of young people who don’t know who they are. They grasp for affirmation and value through their performance or a social media like. Our guest today says that classical Christian schools are uniquely positioned to light a fire of hope, purpose, and meaning in our students as they discover what it really means to be made in the image of God. Listen in as I interview Peter at the Society for Classical Learning conference.
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.
Like Peter, I was looking for a school experience for my child that would prevent her from being co-opt by a very corrupt culture. I wanted a school that would teach her to reason the truth. Most of all, I wanted a school that would encourage her faith in Christ. That school was Faith Christian in Roanoke, Virginia. It more than prepared her to compete in college but also to excel in her courses. She often says, ” I had college in high school ( at Faith Christian ) and high school ( at Roanoke College ) in college.” She even successfully competed for $82,000 in scholarship money, that paid for most of her college education. My daughter, JoAnn Bennett Kowtko (’01) now has a three year old daughter who will attend Faith Christian. I am thrilled that JoAnn, after a successful career a pharmaceutical rep prior to the birth of my granddaughter, now works part time for Faith Christian in alumni development.
I believe this was this episode where the host characterized the Montessori Method of Education as “chasing butterflies.” Well, yes, many Americans who subscribe to the Summerhill ideal do use Montessori. However, actually Dr. Montessori wrote early on, in horror, of the American idea that “anything goes” and clearly warned against it. She developed an educational method, based on the science of the day (Itard and Sequin and the theology of Acquinas).
She did speak for freedom to do right. At that time in Rome, 7 year olds were chained into desks for the day. In that context, the idea of 4 year olds being able to walk around the classroom to select what they were going to work on (as they had been shown and were being permitted) seemed revolutionary. This is not, however, the kind of free for all, Summerhill sort of thing, often supposed here in the States.
Further, her method has outperformed other early childhood education method not only in her time but up until now, not only on academic measures but only in character development.
Not just for politeness sake should we take care not to mis-characterize other camps; but also for our own edification, we would do well not to miss what is good there. In our camp, we have not yet developed pre-Grammar according to classical principles. Especially has schole’ been overlooked in Kindergarten in our rush to merely copy a more rigid example of what public school does. Pre-K has been even more ignored.
The Montessori Method, in its careful preparation of the environment in order to permit a regularized exploration that educates the senses that builds easily to a deep understanding of math and an easy acquisition of reading/writing, encourage normalization of self-disciplined educational propulsion, and the development of grace & courtesy has much to offer us. Further, this is done in a home-like, relaxed environment.
This is a lot more like what we envision our Christian Classical to be than is the current rushing every child to finish the worksheet at the same time, giving them only the reference of a cluttered and far away postered wall. How does this match with : Make Haste Slowly, Much not Many, Embodied Learning, Schole’, or wonder and curiosity?
Sharon,
Thank you so much for your insightful comments clarifying the correct interpretation of some of the Montessori methods and beliefs. Yes, Americans (including myself) benefit from knowing that Montessori, like many teaching philosophies, shares some similarities with classical Christian education, such as the integrity of the child as a person of value and that children do need to be guided and not just follow an “anything goes” approach. The Summerhill influence, it appears, has tainted our view and we described it only by our limited knowledge. In the episode, we also called out the extremes of classical Christian education. Neither extreme is accurate but rather stereotypical and not helpful. And Montessori, like CCE, certainly does have its merits, as you have pointed out. Again, thank you for listening and reaching out.
All the best,
Davies Owens