Hoplite Radio

Ep 36: A Conversation on Art with Mr. Trapp

In today's conversation, we dive into the world of art with our very own, Mr. Trapp. We explore whether art plays a vital role in a well-rounded liberal arts education. By engaging with art, students are encouraged to think critically, express themselves creatively, and develop an appreciation for human experiences. Mr. Anderson asks, "what is the relationship between art and beauty?". They discuss the age-old question of what beauty truly is.

Ep 35: On Physical Education with Mr. Schohl and Mrs. Van Dixhorn

On this episode, we are talking about the Physical Education initiative at Ridgeview Classical Schools. Mr. Anderson sits down with Mr. Schohl and Mrs. Van Dixhorn exploring the rationale, inspiration, and the goals for the future of this program. How does the incorporation of a physical education program align with the classical curriculum? Books referenced in this podcast are available for purchase in Ridgeview's Bookshop: Built to Move by Kelly Starrett & Juliet Starrett Spark: The Revo...

On Physical Education with Mr. Schohl and Mrs. Van Dixhorn

On this episode, we are talking about the Physical Education initiative at Ridgeview Classical Schools. Mr. Anderson sits down with Mr. Schohl and Mrs. Van Dixhorn exploring the rationale, inspiration, and the goals for the future of this program. How does the incorporation of a physical education program align with the classical curriculum? Books referenced in this podcast are available for purchase in Ridgeview's Bookshop: Built to Move by Kelly Starrett & Juliet Starrett Spark: The Revo...

Ep 34: On Teaching The Whole Student

On this episode of Hoplite Radio, Mr. Anderson had the pleasure of speaking with Mrs. Carvalho, Mrs. Gaub, Mrs. Stephens and Mr. Bodak about "Teaching The Whole Student". These four educators have a unique perspective, as they are all graduates of Ridgeview Classical Schools. At Ridgeview, academic excellence is just part of the equation - we believe in developing well-rounded individuals who are also kind, compassionate and well-prepared for life beyond the classroom.

Ep 33: The History and Purpose of First Responder's Day at Ridgeview

In 2015, the concept of First Responder's Day at Ridgeview Classical Schools was introduced by our Headmaster, Mr. Anderson. The idea was to encourage awareness of the work that was being done around the clock to make doing ordinary things feel ordinary, and to show students the value in a career in public service. Mr. Anderson speaks with Sheriff Stewart, who has attended this event for many years, to learn about the perspective of this event from the side of a first responder. They also dis...

EP 32: What is a Classical Education? (with Mr. Ayers and Dr. McMahon)

In this podcast, we delve into the topic of a classical education and what it truly means. Mr. Anderson is joined by Dr. McMahon and Mr. Ayers to discuss whether a classical education is more than a marketing gimmick. We talk about the recent explosion of charter schools that are claiming to teach a classical education, whether or not a classical education is the same as a Christian education, the trivium and the quadrivium, as well as the role of classic languages and the Socratic Method. ...

EP 31: On Teacher Training with Mrs. Hayhurst

Have you ever wondered what teacher training at Ridgeview entails? Mr. Anderson and Mrs. Hayhurst dive into the history of our teacher training and how it has evolved over the years. All books referenced in this episode are available for purchase in the Ridgeview Bookshop: 4,000 Weeks: Time Management for Mortals by Oliver Burkeman The Quest for Character by Massimo Pigliucci Classical English Style by Ward Farnsworth

EP. 31: On Teacher Training with Mrs. Hayhurst

Have you ever wondered what teacher training at Ridgeview entails? Mr. Anderson and Mrs. Hayhurst dive into the history of our teacher training and how it has evolved over the years.

EP. 30: A Conversation with Giulia B.

EP. 29: Ridgeview & Exchange Students

EP. 28: On Tutoring and Volunteering

EP. 27: Meet Ridgeview's New Faculty

EP. 26: On the Board with Dr. Schuemann and Mr. Trosper

EP. 25: On Performing Arts with Mr. Binder

Literature faculty and theatre director Mr. Binder joins us on Hoplite Radio to discuss the benefits of a performing arts program.

EP. 24: On Athletics with Miss Grace

Mr. Anderson sits down with third grade teacher and Ridgeview Athletic Director Miss Grace to discuss the importance of Athletics.

EP. 23: On the Outdoor Program with Mrs. Carvalho

Mr. Anderson sits down with our Outdoor Program Coordinator Mrs. Carvalho to discuss the history of our program and its importance, as well as the hopeful plans for its future.

EP. 22: Why Teach At Ridgeview? (With Mr. Ayers, Mrs. Halseide and Mrs. Mahindroo)

Hoplite Radio is back! Ridgeview's Headmaster Mr. Anderson opens up a dialogue with three of our veteran faculty (Mr. Ayers, Mrs. Halseide and Mrs. Mahindroo) about why someone would want to teach at Ridgeview and their own personal experiences in the school's unique environment.

EP 21: On Literature with Mrs. Halseide and Dr. McMahon

In Episode 21, we are joined by Dr. McMahon and Mrs. Halseide to discuss how literature is taught at Ridgeview.

EP 20: On Penmanship and Etiquette with Mrs. Marie Hornback

In our twentieth episode, we are joined by Ridgeview's Marie Hornback to discuss the importance of Etiquette and Penmanship in our school.

EP 19: On Latin Instruction with Dr. Dean Cassella

In Episode 19 of Hoplite Radio, we are joined by Dr. Cassella, Ridgeview’s Classics Department Head, to talk about the instruction of Latin.

EP 18 A Classical Education Roundtable

In Episode 18, Mr. Anderson sits down with Dr. McMahon, Miss Kujawa, and Mr. Amschler for a discussion about what constitutes a classical education and the dangers in using the term classical as a marketing ploy.

EP 17: On Thriving at Ridgeview with Alumni, Austin Bail

In this episode of Hoplite Radio, we sit down with Austin Bail to discuss his time at Ridgeview, his decision to join the Marine Corps, and the mindset of those who thrive while doing some very hard things.

EP 16: On Learning to Read with Mrs. Jill Hitchman

In this, the sixteenth episode of Hoplite Radio, we are joined by Jill Hitchman to discuss how Ridgeview teaches students to read. Mrs. Hitchman is a Ridgeview veteran and is extremely knowledgeable about Riggs—the explicit phonics program that Ridgeview uses in its elementary school. Please join us as we discuss this critical issue in education with Mrs. Hitchman, follow up by viewing some of Mrs. Hitchman’s videos available via PowerSchool, and consider joining us for our reading groups.

EP15: On Outdoor Education with Mr. John Amschler

In this episode of Hoplite Radio, we visit with John Amschler about the importance of outdoor education, the demise of natural history in primary and secondary education, and the aspects of an education that cannot be taught in a classroom.

EP14: A Discussion with the Monthly Parent Reading Group

In this episode, we moved our recording equipment into Room 306 and recorded a discussion of parents discussing an excerpt of R.G. Collingwood’s The Idea of History. Our purpose in doing this was to give listeners a sense of what these discussions are like in the hope that they might find the material and exchanges enticing enough to join us in the future.

EP#13: On Ridgeview with Mrs. Jennie Roebuck

In this episode of Hoplite Radio, Mr. Anderson is joined by Mrs. Jennie Roebuck, a fourth-grade teacher at Ridgeview, and an alumna of the school. She shares her thoughts about how she came to Ridgeview as a student, where she went after graduation, how her experiences at Ridgeview have shaped her impressions of education, and where she is off to next.

EP#12: On the Role of the Principal with Mrs. Kristina Menon

Mr. Anderson is joined by Mrs. Kristina Menon to discuss how the role of principal has evolved over time at Ridgeview, and the ways in which this position has distinguished itself from the executive positions at other schools.

EP#11: On Economic Education with Mr. Spencer Nauman

In an interview with Spencer Nauman, we explore the notion of economic literacy and the manner in which one acquires some measure of economic education.

EP10: On Parent Discussion and the Community

This week, we welcome Mrs. Alexandra Hobaugh, a parent fairly recently arrived at Ridgeview, to talk about the parent discussion groups and the value these have for our community.

EP#9 On being a Ridgeview parent and board member, with guest Mr. Kelly Trosper.

In this episode, Mr. Anderson converses with Kelly Trosper, longtime Ridgeview parent and board member about his Ridgeview story: what brought him to Ridgeview, what has driven his involvement with the school as a volunteer, and what has kept him here as an enthusiastic parent and supporter.

EP#8 WITH GUEST JON KARR

In this episode of Hoplite Radio, Mr. Anderson sits down and talks with another Ridgeview graduate, Jonathan Karr to discuss the impact of Ridgeview for our alumni years after graduation. As Jonathan prepares to begin his graduate studies at UC Berkley, he reflects on what he gained from Ridgeview and what it has come to mean to him as he has undertaken different kinds of study as an adult.

EP#7 On the Ridgeview Experience with Anders Jorgenson, Class of 2018

In this episode, we consider the impressions of what Ridgeview came to mean to Anders Jorgensen, a recent Ridgeview graduate who had attended Ridgeview since kindergarten. We frequently tell parents that we want for them to think of their enrollment at Ridgeview in terms of a thirteen-year commitment - to treat it as an experience, and not simply an experiment. From curricular considerations to extracurricular activities, Anders provides us with an insight into what Ridgeview meant to him and...

EP#6 On Summer Trips with Mr. Zak Smith

In this episode, we interview Zak Smith, co-owner of Thunder Beast Arms and owner of Competition Dynamics. Mr. Smith is a parent of two Ridgeview students who has provided tremendous support for our outdoor programs and adventures with students. We explore what these adventures contribute to a classical education, and in particular, the importance of discovering one’s limits as part of our student’s character formation.

EP#5 On Teaching Music

The music program at Ridgeview has often dominated the lives of our students and parents. From the concerts to the musicals and madrigal performances, music has been an important part of the Ridgeview experience. Mr. Anderson and Ridgeview’s new music director, Mr. Ben Geier, converse about the place of music in a classical education in this episode of Hoplite Radio.

EP#4 On Teaching Science

How is science taught at a classical school? Can a classical education produce students who will be competitive in the natural sciences? These are some of the questions we explore in this podcast with Mr. Hayhurst, Ridgeview’s Science Department Head.

EP #3: A History of Ridgeview

In this episode, we talk with Domenic Carpine, Ridgeview’s Assistant Principal, and an employee of the school from its inception. We discuss the school’s culture, its disciplinary practices, and much else. Mr. Carpine also talks through how he first heard about Ridgeview as a parent, which will be of interest to those considering joining us at Ridgeview.

EP#2: On Teaching History

In Episode 2, Mr. Anderson, Principal of Ridgeview Classical Schools, and Mr. Herndon, a veteran history teacher at the school, examine what distinguishes the teaching of history at Ridgeview. They discuss the contingency of human experience, the intentionality of using primary sources, the role of will and circumstance in historical events, American exceptionalism, and the development of the historical imagination in students.

RCS HOPLITE RADIO: An Introduction to Ridgeview

Episode I Episode Title: Introduction to Ridgeview In this episode, Mr. Anderson explores Ridgeview’s history, introduces listeners to what it is that makes a charter school different, and talks with Mr. Herndon, a veteran Ridgeview history teacher, about the sorts of things that make up the Ridgeview experience.