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Academic Retreat for Teachers:
A Recap of Our 2008 Retreat

Our 2008 Academic Retreat for Teachers was a resounding success.  Catholic educators from Wyoming, Maryland, Georgia, Kentucky, Wisconsin, California, New York, and Kansas spent one delightful week studying Catholic education and the classical curriculum.  Dr. David Fleischacker, chairman of Theology and Philosophy at the University of St. Francis, joined me to lead the discussions.  Fr. Andrew Duncan of St. Margaret’s School in Riverton, Wyoming, celebrated Mass for us, and led us in Rosary and Vespers.

Participants enjoyed the evening discussions of Sophocles and Shakespeare at the beautiful Bass Mansion; Dr. Art Kunath offered a wine-tasting session with samples from his private cellar; and great conversations occurred in and out of the classroom.  Recitation and analysis of the Gettysburg Address brought home the importance of the Trivium.  For many, their first taste of Euclid’s Geometry and the mathematics of music were the best part. 

We left with a renewed commitment to the fullness of Catholic education and numerous ideas for faculty and curricular development.  One high school will implement a full-year course in rhetoric for their students beginning this fall.

I look forward to having many of you join me next year for an authentic experience of rejoicing in the truth.          

Andrew Seeley, Ph.D.
Director, The Institute for Catholic Liberal Education

Upcoming Events

September will find Dr. Seeley first in Michigan, attending a Liberty Fund/Center for the American Idea conference called “Education and the Free Society.”  The challenging but exciting readings focus on questions of moral and religious education in our democratic, pluralistic society.

At the end of the month, he will be at St. Margaret’s, Fr. Duncan’s school in Riverton, Wyoming. Fr. Duncan was so excited by the 2008 Retreat that he is bringing Dr. Seeley out to share some of it with his entire staff!

Please let us know of exciting events promoting authentic Catholic education in your area.