Paideia Academy Podcast

In this episode, Seniors Marty Clapp, Molly Claxton, and Luke Crenshaw reflect on their journey as the inaugural Pre-K class at Paideia Academy, making them the first students to spend a full 14 years at the school!

We invite you to hear about their funniest/sweetest memories, the teachers who made the greatest impact on them, and how they've grown in their faith, their ability to lead, and their appreciation for the education they've received.

In this episode, 2024 Paideia Academy alumnus Eric McIlrath discusses his eventful journey through Paideia Academy, from scoffer/grumbler to joyful leader.

We invite you to hear how his mindset shifted for the better over time and how his love for classical education, the Great Books, and God's Word even caused him to start up an Omnibus club with his University of Tennessee friends -- most of whom are engineering students!

In this episode, Upper School Humanities/Worship/Technical Theatre Instructor (as well as Dean of Apostles' Hall) Elijah Tafao shares the value of theologically rich worship and the merit of reading modern literature alongside Scripture as we examine the human condition.

We invite you to hear his thoughts on why singing theology can help Christians in a way that hearing theology taught or reading theology cannot; furthermore, you will hear how the modern Omnibus books shed light on what happens when people lose a Christian understanding of reality.

In this episode, Upper School Humanities and Latin Instructor (as well as Dean of Augsburg Hall) Lydia Zinn shares the significance of medieval study and theological retrieval in the classical Christian classroom.

We invite you to hear her thoughts on the benefits of integrating the subjects into a unified whole, the necessity of studying primary sources, and the overall delight that medieval study can bring.

In this episode, Paideia "Granddad" John Sadler (known by most as a substitute teacher) discusses his prayers before the school existed, his substitute teaching efforts over the years, and his passion for encouraging alumni to give back to the school.

We invite you to hear his thoughts on what Paideia Academy has meant to him as a grandparent, a substitute teacher, and someone who is passionate about classical Christian education in general.

In this episode, Science Teachers Brittany Tuten and Hallie Zigament (whose collective teaching scope spans from 4th Graders to Seniors) discuss the significance of robust, quality science instruction within a proper classical Christian education.

We invite you to hear their thoughts on what classical Christian schools miss when they neglect to teach science richly, why science/reason and faith are complementary rather than incompatible, and how Christian theists practice science differently than secular scientists. Stay tuned to also hear some of their favorite memories and the one thing they hope their students remember from their teaching once they've moved onto the next sequence of their lives.

In this episode, Athletic Director Kristin Monge shares the vision for the "paideia" of athletics as we seek to rightly view the realm of athletics from a Biblical lens.

We invite you to hear her talk about the value of athletics in classical Christian education, how our school prioritizes athletics differently than others, the virtues athletics can build, and some of the best Paideia athletics memories and accomplishments in recent years.

In this episode, Paideia founders and current board members Randy Sadler and Charles Clapp share stories of Paideia Academy's beginnings and the way the Lord has sustained the school over 20+ years.

We invite you to hear their thoughts on the early challenges of starting the school, the joys of seeing thriving graduates walk across the stage for the first time (and in the following years), and the "non-negotiables" that Paideia has kept the same for all its existence.

In this episode, Director of Development and Fundraising Nick Duncan shares his passion for Classical Christian education in America, along with some exciting updates about the Knox Hall Fundraiser.

We invite you to hear his thoughts why Classical Christian education should matter for Americans specifically and which true, good, and beautiful things our nation should learn to love again. He also provides some sneak peeks for the Knox Hall event, such as a few auction items people should get excited for.

In this episode, Senior Anatomy teacher/Track and Cross-Country Coach Ryan Hartzel shares his passion for training young athletes in a Biblically-based manner.

We invite you to hear his thoughts on why bodily training is so important for Christians, how training the body and the mind simultaneously is of great value to believers, and what he hopes all of this student-athletes remember about the gospel during their time learning from him and training under his leadership.

In this episode, former Paideia student-turned-teacher, Samuel Sadler, discusses both why he decided to return to Paideia and why he has chosen a career in the classical Christian field.

We invite you to hear from Samuel as he share about his journey within the classical Christian education realm and how his particular educational experience has equipped him to invest into the next generation of students at Paideia Academy.

In this episode, Upper School Dean of Student Culture/Omnibus & Rhetoric Instructor/Dean of Westminster Hall, Graham Averitt, shares what makes Paideia Academy's student culture joyful and thriving.

We invite you to hear his thoughts on classical, Christ-centered discipline; the significance of tradition, feasting, and singing in building school unity; and the intentionality of Paideia's Upper School in encouraging and equipping students to lead.

In this episode, Senior Boys reflect over the course of their time as students at Paideia Academy.

We invite you to hear how they faced difficulties, strengthened their intellectual skills, experienced discipleship, grew in manliness/godliness, deepened their faith, and built lasting relationships within the Halls of our beloved school.

In this episode, Senior Girls reflect over the course of their time as students at Paideia Academy.

We invite you to hear how they overcame challenges, grew in their faith, polished their rhetorical skills, mentored others, made lasting memories, and developed lifelong friendships within the Halls of our beloved school.

In this episode, Pre-K teacher Deena Parks and 3rd Grade teacher Grace Duell share a classical Christian perspective on shepherding and challenging their students mentally, physically, and spiritually.

We invite you to hear their thoughts on the significance of recitation/memory work in the grammar school stage, the benefits of unstructured play in the development of young minds, and the centrality of Scripture and prayer in a truly Christ-centered school.

In this episode, Upper School (& 6th Grade) Math teacher Jared Iles shares his passion for mathematics and how it clearly points to our loving, Creator God.

We invite you to hear his thoughts on the significance of encountering objective truth in math, the value of wrestling with difficult problems, and what he hopes all of his students will remember about his math class years after they have graduated.

In this episode, Senior-level Greek teacher Sean Morris shares his love for the study of Koine Greek and its influence in Christian theology.

We invite you to hear his thoughts on the beauty of reading Scripture in its original source language, what he hopes his students will take away from his Greek class, and a how reading the Greek New Testament has shaped his understanding of Good Friday and the crucifixion.

In this episode, Lower School Writing/Upper School Chemistry and Omnibus Teacher (as well as Academic Dean) Janet Carr shares her expertise on the value of liturgy and structured rhythms within the classroom in order to build helpful student habits and deepen understanding.

We invite you to hear her thoughts on the lower school student transition to upper school (from 6th to 7th grade), specific activities and liturgies she has found to be effective, and what she hopes all her students will remember not so much regarding WHAT they learned in her classroom but HOW they learned it.

In this episode, Paideia parent Brian Morgan shares his experience as a father who is deeply involved in the life of the school and has a strong desire to raise His children as the Bible teaches him to do so.

We invite you to hear the story of how his family found Paideia, what it means to bring his children up in the Paideia (nurture/admonition) of the Lord, and how the school's in loco parentis model has come alongside his family to assist him and his wife as the primary educators of their family.

We hope this episode will prove to be both practical AND encouraging to all of our parents who are doing the hard work of raising godly sons and daughters!

In this episode, our Upper School Theater (Theatre) Director Taylor Phillips shares her love for the stage on a personal and spiritual level.

We invite you to hear her insights on the unique challenges theatre poses, the skills it develops in students, and how a classical Christian school operates differently when thinking about theatre through the lens of the greatest story ever told: the Christian story of redemption.