Of all the occupations in the country, the one with the highest level of burnout is teaching. As many as 44% of teachers report that they always or very often feel burned out at work, according to a Gallup poll. Young teachers, recently graduated and dreaming of changing children’s lives, are run over by the pressures of teaching. Though they expect to work hard with lesson planning and grading, they find themselves entrenched in unexpected work, too — counseling students and parents, trying to make it work with inadequate resources, teaching large classes without time to attend to each student’s needs, dealing with discipline issues, experiencing lack of autonomy, pressured to raise tests scores, not having sufficient administrative support, working with poor funding, and a lack of community support.
Colorado, like states everywhere, employs many talented teachers equipped with inspiring ideas and innovative teaching strategies. Yet, when they’re hired to teach, they’re not permitted to use those talents either for a lack of time or lack of alignment with their curriculum. Colorado traditional school teachers are looking for opportunities to make their work impactful in their scholars’ lives. They’re seeking a viable educational structure and more support from their peers, administrators and parents.
In this blog, we’re going to explore one model of education that offers teachers a refreshing alternative to the constant, hamster wheel-spinning environment of the traditional classroom. We’re going to discover how Classical Education, with its anchor in logic, character education, and critical thinking objectives, offers a welcome return to purpose.
What is Classical Education and Why Does it Matter to Teachers?
Classical Education is a model for teaching grades K-12 through three stages of learning: the Grammar, Logic, and Rhetoric stages. The Grammar Stage is for scholars in grades K-6, and it emphasizes gathering and storing knowledge over all the subjects covered: mathematics, science, history, geography, languages, and language arts.
When scholars reach the equivalent of seventh grade, they begin studies in the Logic Stage. Here, even though they’re still gathering knowledge, they use abstract thinking to explore information critically; scholars analyze, compare/contrast, synthesize, and evaluate. They participate in Socratic discussions to share insights, opinions, and arguments over their study material.
In the Rhetoric Stage, during high school years, scholars continue the work they did in the Grammar and Logic Stages, but they also develop persuasive arguments supporting their stances on issues. They write essays and deliver presentations to communicate their thoughts. This three-stage educational process is called the Trivium.
By reading classical literature and discussing the issues contained therein, Classical Education scholars practice deep thinking, respectful dialogue, and develop their own personal thoughts on moral behavior.
This educational approach matters to teachers because with Classical Education, they find purpose and intention in teaching. They’re not merely attempting to get their scholars to pass tests with sufficient scores. In this school setting, teachers are more flexible and can teach with their own innovative strategies. They find once again the passion for teaching they had when they were hopeful college scholars.
The Leman Academy Difference in Colorado
To illustrate how refreshing the Classical Education model is for teachers, let’s discover the Leman Academy of Excellence, with a campus in Parker Bayou Gulch, Colorado. Within the academic structure of this school, teachers find a clear structure, a comprehensible and feasible curriculum, a shared educational philosophy, and plenty of guidance and mentorship. This is a school where teachers are supported as educational leaders and parents are viewed as partners.
New teachers at Leman are assigned a mentor for support and guidance. No teacher is left to figure things out on their own. The school’s administration likewise supports teachers’ efforts with a climate of respect.
Core Classical Pillars That Strengthen the Teaching Experience
When scholars enter the Logic Stage of the classical model, they’re encouraged to ask “why” questions about the material they’re studying. In this manner, gateways to lively and engaging discussions are opened. All scholars in the class may contribute to such discussions. Scholars aren’t sitting passively while a teacher “talks at them” as is so frequently the case in a traditional setting. Teachers are empowered to design lessons that connect the facts they’re teaching to scholars’ reasoning and critical thinking.
Critical thinking is further encouraged by asking open-ended questions. Instead of merely reading Hamlet’s soliloquy, scholars are encouraged to discuss whether Hamlet should avenge his father’s death by killing Claudius. Discussions such as this influence scholars’ developing moral values and strengthen their character development. Scholars learn how to think, not just what to think.
Furthermore, an emphasis on character development in the classical model reduces unwanted behavioral issues and supports a positive classroom environment. Scholars learn that their teachers don’t simply deliver content, but that they’re dynamic role models of responsible citizens in society.
These core pillars of Classical Education make teachers’ experiences personally rewarding, meaningful, and joyful.
Why Colorado Teachers Thrive at Leman Academy
One of the drawbacks of teaching in a traditional school is that teachers don’t feel they’re given a voice in designing the educational experience. They’re not given autonomy to use their innovations in designing lesson plans or contribute to curricula.
But in the Classical Education setting at Leman Academy, teachers discover they do have a voice in shaping curricula and school culture. In fact, they’re encouraged to collaborate, to share ideas and experiences.
Teachers find ongoing professional development opportunities at Leman as well. Teachers are shown how the classical model is used to provide scholars with the full range of scholarship acquisition: from acquiring knowledge, to sifting that knowledge with critical thinking, to imparting that knowledge to others.
Leman Academy thrives with strong leadership and collaboration across all of its campuses in Arizona and Colorado.
Final Thoughts: A Meaningful Path Forward for Educators
Amid the crises and burnouts happening in today’s traditional schools, teaching at a school like Leman Academy is like moving away from brutally hot sunshine and seeking shade under a breezy elm tree. Classical education offers stability and depth in working with our youth and helps teachers rediscover joy, clarity, and purpose in education.
Learn more about teaching opportunities at Leman Academy’s Colorado campuses and how to join a values-driven team.