Collaborative Education: Two Virtues for the Price of One | TCA U Podcast | Episode #19

TCA parents often joke that they are getting two (or three!) classical educations for the price of one: parents and their children become educated when they're learning together in a collaborative model! What we discuss less often is that this model of education encourages just as much growth in virtue and maturity for parents as it does for their students - and that's not always easy.  

Listen in as Sara Breetzke talks with Barb Moseley and Mike Kresnik about the unique experience of a co-teacher, and how the gospel is challenging and growing them as they walk alongside their children in this model. 

Collaborative Education: Co-Teaching at the Rhetoric Stage | TCA U Podcast | Episode #18

Collaborative Education takes on a different shape once our students enter the Rhetoric stage. As Susan Wise Bauer said, “The student of rhetoric applies the rules of logic learned in middle school to the foundational information learned in the early grades and expresses his conclusions in clear, forceful, elegant language.”

But how do co-teachers lead these maturing students when they aren't masters of the material? And how can co-teachers engage students who are ready to learn and study on their own? Listen in as co-teachers Jill Ramirez and Katie Bokowshi share how they are learning alongside their Rhetoric students,  engaging their students' character and trusting Jesus through the hard days.

Collaborative Education: Remaining Flexible as Your Students Mature | TCA U Podcast | Episode 17

One challenge of a collaborative education is that our students are constantly changing. While TCA offers guideposts like grammar, logic, and rhetoric stages, different students are at different levels of maturity; and their educational journey is not always linear, meaning that parents must constantly adapt to their students' changing needs. Co-teachers Sarah Sebranek and Steph Jackson address this reality as they share their experiences teaching students from Kindergarten to the Rhetoric stages.

Introducing the TCA Speech Team! | The TCA U Podcast | Episode #16

What if being on a speech team was more than just learning how to be a good public speaker and win speech tournaments? At TCA, speech participants are learning to glorify God through their words in all contexts. On this episode of TCA U, TCA staff member Mrs. Rosenthal and TCA students Malachi and Julianna share their experience in the speech program, their growth, and opportunities coming up this Spring for our listeners to get involved.

Meet TCA Board Member Sheri Green | TCA U Podcast | Episode 15

Montana. The CIA. Homeschooling. Traveling the world. Learning and teaching Latin. These are just a few of things that describe the life of Sheri Green, one of TCA’s Board Members. We hope you enjoy learning about one of TCA's leaders - and that someday you will be able to say hello to Sheri in person!

The Liberal Arts at TCA w/ Mr. Drake & Mr. Estep | The TCA U Podcast | Episode #14

What do we mean by liberal arts? How do the liberal arts interplay with the classical trivium and Christian, classical education? In this episode TCA teachers Kevin Estep and Jonathan Drake discuss these questions, revealing how they hope to grow students in wisdom through the Liberal Arts Track of classes in grade 7 and above. 

Students Shaping Culture: TCA's House System | The TCA U Podcast | Episode #12

At the time of recording of this episode, TCA has around 90 Logic and Rhetoric students separated into 4 different houses. But what do we mean by “houses”?

When you think of a “house system” you might think of 19th Century British schools or even Harry Potter. At TCA it’s like that … but with less magic and more Jesus. Listen to today’s episode to hear from house prefects Aleena and Josiah. They explain how the TCA House System shapes school culture, develops leaders, and  strengthens faith in the Lord.

On Modern History with Caleb Wright | The TCA U Podcast | Episode #11

Trinity Classical Academy's teachers are joyful masters of their subjects. Rhetoric Humanities Instructor Caleb Wright embodies this mastery and joy. He loves sharing his enthusiasm for learning, especially in the area of history. 

In this episode, join Caleb and Sara as they discuss the modern time period. They consider our place in God’s story and how we can rest in God's sovereignty as we see Him at work over the last 250 years.

Assembly Talk: What Is Your Job This Year? | TCA U Podcast | Episode 10

Happy New Year! We want to start the new year right by renewing our commitment to our calling in education, work, and success. We don’t try to do this as the culture and society does around us, by our own will and strength. Rather, we look to God’s faithfulness towards us to fuel our commitment to the work he’s called us to do. 

That’s why we ask ourselves this question in our assembly gatherings: What is your job this year? To love God and be faithful to the work he has called us to! Listen in as Sara explains how we long to love God and be faithful in our education, our work, and in all he’s called us to do.

RESOURCES:
”Effortless: Make It Easier to Do What Matters Most” by Greg McKeown: https://www.amazon.com/Effortless-Easier-Matters-Random-House/dp/0593401115

TCA Show Up! Heads up! Eyes up! Effort Counts Twice! | The TCA U Podcast | Episode 9

We know the importance of being diligent, but how can you encourage your student to put forth effort in an area that doesn't come naturally? And how can a student learn what that effort looks and feels like? In this episode, Sara Breetzke answers these questions as she explains the meaning and intention behind the Assembly Saying: TCA, Show Up! Heads up! Eyes up! Effort Counts Twice!

RESOURCES:
Angela Duckworth’s book Grit: https://a.co/d/gcIISTb

Art and the Great Conversation w/ Heather Alston | The TCA U Podcast | Episode 8

In this episode Sara and Heather Alston discuss how TCA's art program is uniquely designed as a classical program, following the trivium and integrated with other subjects. Our hope is that through art class at TCA, students see how the visual arts can help them grow in virtue, contribute to the Great Conversation, and see more of God. 

Heather is a TCA co-teacher and head of the TCA Art department.

RESOURCES:
Redeeming Vision by Elissa Weichbradt

Art & The Bible by Francis Schaeffer

Gazing by Stephen Turley

This Is Hard, This Is Fun | The TCA U Podcast | Episode 7

In this episode, Sara explains the meaning and value of the Assembly Saying, “This Is Hard, This Is Fun.” She also gives practical applications for how you can live out this saying in the day-to-day of schooling at home or on campus at TCA.

Resources:

• This website is where Sara learned the two types of fun: https://www.jamesstuber.com/boring-is-fun/

• Carol Dweck's research on Mindset is key to understanding the mindset that helps students take on difficult academic problems with courage .. and even fun! Here is the link to her book, or here are a few notes on ideas from the book to help you apply her work to your homeschool or classroom. 

Clarity for Parenting Young Adults w/ Dr. Ken Wilgus | The TCA U Podcast | Episode 6

As your children become young adults what is your default reaction? Are you prone to give them more freedom? Or do you try to clamp down on them with ungodly control and rigidity?

Psychologist Dr. Ken Wilgus visited us at TCA and sat down with Sara to bring some encouragement to moms and dads asking these very questions. He offers Christ-centered wisdom about how to turn from control and offer clear boundaries that propel young adults toward maturity and independence. Parents of adolescents (and children who will become adolescents) will find Dr. Wilgus' insight practical and hopeful!

Find out more about Dr. Wilgus's work at drwilgus.com; his book, the Feeding the Mouth That Bites You; and his podcast by the same name.

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For more information about Trinity Classical Academy, please visit https://tcaomaha.com

The Rhetoric Experience: An Interview with TCA Juniors | Episode 5

Juniors Juliana and Isaiah join Sara to give an inside look into TCA's growing Rhetoric School. They share their distinct academic experience, their favorite parts of being a rhetoric school student, and the things they're excited to see growing in the TCA upper school culture. These pioneers have a unique and encouraging perspective as they talk about the school they're helping to build!

TCA is a Classical, Christian, collaborative school in Omaha, NE. If you are interested in finding out more, visit tcaomaha.com. 

Creating a Culture of Reading In Our Homes | The TCA U Podcast | Episode 4

Sara Breetzke along with special guests Kevin Estep and Steph Dexter discuss the importance of creating a reading culture in our homes. In addition to practical advice and tips, they offer grace and perspective for how God is working even in our imperfect efforts. 

Resources from this episode:

• Tips for A Reading Culture at Home by Steph Dexter

• Why You Should Read to Your Children, Your Teens, and Yourself 

The Humanizing Power of Classical Education w/ Chris Hemmelman | The TCA U Podcast | Episode 3

Chris Hemmelman joins us to share his talk from the 2023 TCA Co-Teacher Training. He shares his heart and his knowledge regarding how the movements and thoughts of the Modern period set us on a trajectory of dehumanization. He brilliantly explains how we got here and how Christian Classical education – and the Lord’s grace – can begin to shift the telos of humanity one student at a time.

Resources mentioned in this episode:

• ”1984” by George Orwell

Thinking About Reading Like a Classical Educator | The TCA U Podcast | Episode 2

Have you thought about the purpose of reading in a classical school? What would your student say is the purpose of the reading they're assigned?

Classical educators have a unique end in mind for their students: an appreciation for the good, true, and beautiful. That means that classical educators teach reading differently than teachers in other educational models. 

On this episode, Sara is joined by Abby Anderson, a TCA co-teacher and curriculum advisor for TCA’s Grammar School. They discuss how classical students read to see the world and themselves more clearly. Beyond reading for training or entertainment, classical readers are pursuing an enhanced life, a worthy goal both for us and for our students!

Resources Mentioned In This Episode

• The Discarded Image by C.S. Lewis

• Reading for the Love of God by Jessical Hooten Wilson

• BiblioFiles Podcast

• On Reading Well by Karen Swallow Prior 

• The Gospel Coalition Literature Resources 

• The Gospel Coalition Guides for specific classic works

Classical Education 101 | The TCA U Podcast | Episode 1

How does Classical Education differ from an education that is focused merely on results and self-actualization? In this episode of TCA U, Sara answers this question by unpacking the goals of each stage of the Trivium: Grammar School, Logic School, and Rhetoric School.

Here are a few more resources to help you focus on the outcomes (not just the tasks) of a classical education.

• Gospel Coalition Article: Pursuing Education, Not Just Credentials 

• Book: Norms and Nobility

Introducing the TCA U Podcast!

The TCA U Podcast supports parents, students, and staff in pursuing a classical, Christian, collaborative education. In this episode our host, Sara Breetzke explains what we aim to do with this podcast. We are glad that you are joining us in this venture!