Tomek Grzesiak, Curriculum Coordinator for Hillsdale College K-12 Education, talks with host Scot Bertram about why children's literature is so important for our kids, what role should illustrations play in good children's literature, and some examples of good literature for various ages.

A 20-minute podcast featuring professors, K-12 teachers, and friends of Hillsdale College, all speaking about classical education—what it is, why it’s still relevant today, and what makes it unique. Hosted by Scot Bertram.

A 20-minute podcast featuring professors, K-12 teachers, and friends of Hillsdale College, all speaking about classical education—what it is, why it’s still relevant today, and what makes it unique. Hosted by Scot Bertram.

A 20-minute podcast featuring professors, K-12 te…

Hillsdale College K-12 Classical Education Podcast

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Tomek Grzesiak, Curriculum Coordinator for Hillsd…

Tomek Grzesiak: What Makes for Good Children’s Literature?

Kathleen O’Toole, associate vice president for K-12 Education at Hillsdale College, is joined by Matthew Spalding to discuss his new book, The Making of the American Mind: The Story of our Declaration of Independence, and the importance of teaching American history properly. Matthew Spalding is vice president of Washington Operations and dean of the Van Andel Graduate School of Government at Hillsdale College in Washington, D.C.

Learn more: https://k12.hillsdale.edu/

Kathleen O&rsquo;Toole, associate vice president for K-12 Education at Hillsdale College, is joined by Matthew Spalding to discuss his new book, <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Making-American-Mind-Declaration-Independence/dp/1641774878">The Making of the American Mind: The Story of our Declaration of Independence</a>, and the importance of teaching American history properly. Matthew Spalding is vice president of Washington Operations and dean of the Van Andel Graduate School of Government at Hillsdale College in Washington, D.C.
Learn more: <a href="https://k12.hillsdale.edu/">https://k12.hillsdale.edu/</a>

Kathleen O’Toole and Matthew Spalding: The Making of the American Mind

Join John Peterson, lecturer in education and politics at Hillsdale College, Jonathan Gregg, assistant professor of education at Hillsdale College, Kevin Gary associate professor of education at Hillsdale College, and Ryan Hammill, executive director of the Ancient Language Institute, for a panel on David Hick's Norms and Nobility: A Treatise on Education. 

The four discuss the degree with which classical education is consistent with democracy, the focus on forming students instead of empowering them, and the challenges that modernity poses to classical logic and rhetoric.

This panel was held at the Classical Education Forum in February 2026

Learn more: https://k12.hillsdale.edu/

Join John Peterson, lecturer in education and politics at Hillsdale College, Jonathan Gregg, assistant professor of education at Hillsdale College, Kevin Gary associate professor of education at Hillsdale College, and Ryan Hammill, executive director of the <a href="https://ancientlanguage.com/">Ancient Language Institute</a>, for a panel on David Hick's <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Norms-Nobility-Education-David-Hicks/dp/0761814671">Norms and Nobility: A Treatise on Education</a>.&nbsp;
The four discuss the degree with which classical education is consistent with democracy, the focus on forming students instead of empowering them, and the challenges that modernity poses to classical logic and rhetoric.
This panel was held at the&nbsp;<a href="https://k12.hillsdale.edu/Programs/Classical-Education-Forum/" data-outlook-id="b9b41162-b9cf-4530-8a31-3d2555a84878" data-auth="NotApplicable" data-linkindex="0" data-ogsc="">Classical Education Forum</a>&nbsp;in February 2026
Learn more: <a href="https://k12.hillsdale.edu/">https://k12.hillsdale.edu/</a>

Norms & Nobility

Tina Bolin, literacy coordinator at Treasure Valley Classical Academy in Fruitland, Idaho, and a literacy trainer with Hillsdale College K-12 Education, joins host Scot Bertram to discuss her journey from home school teacher to classical school teacher, the unique challenge of teaching teachers, and the joy that comes from seeing students learn to read.

Learn more: https://k12.hillsdale.edu/

Tina Bolin, literacy coordinator at Treasure Valley Classical Academy in Fruitland, Idaho, and a literacy trainer with Hillsdale College K-12 Education, joins host Scot Bertram to discuss her journey from home school teacher to classical school teacher, the unique challenge of teaching teachers, and the joy that comes from seeing students learn to read.
Learn more: <a href="https://k12.hillsdale.edu/">https://k12.hillsdale.edu/</a>

Tomek Grzesiak: What Makes for Good Children’s Literature?

Hillsdale College K-12 Classical Education Podcast

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Hillsdale College K-12 Classical Education Podcast

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