Hillsdale College Faculty Join Forum Hosted by Princeton’s James Madison Program
Barney Charter School Initiative administrators join fellow academic leaders for in-depth look at classical education
Hillsdale, Mich. — On December 6, 2019, two Hillsdale College Barney Charter School Initiative (BCSI) staff members participated in the Praxis Lab on Classical Education hosted by Princeton University’s James Madison Program in American Ideals and Institutions. Kathleen O’Toole, assistant provost for K-12 education, and Rebecca Holland, BCSI director of curriculum and instruction, joined representatives from five other classical education institutions around the country for an open forum discussion on classical education.
“It’s important to emphasize that classically oriented conversations can still take place in a public school setting,” said O’Toole. “For example, a study of classic fairy tales can open up conversations in elementary grades about courage, friendship, and good and evil.”
The James Madison Program in American Ideals and Institutions is part of Princeton University’s Department of Politics. Established in 2000, the program supports scholarship on American constitutional law and Western political thought and the application of these principles to modern issues through fellowships, postdoctoral appointments, and civic education events.
The Praxis Lab on Classical Education discussion was moderated by Robert P. George, McCormick Professor of Jurisprudence and director of the James Madison Program in American Ideals and Institutions at Princeton University.
O’Toole joined the Hillsdale College staff in July 2019 as the first assistant provost for K-12 education. She came to Hillsdale after serving as headmaster of Founders Classical Academy of Leander in Leander, Texas. O’Toole holds a bachelor’s degree in politics from the University of Dallas and a doctorate in American government and political philosophy from Claremont Graduate University.
Holland, as director of curriculum and instruction for BCSI, works with classical charter school founders in creating and implementing academic programs and providing curriculum design and teacher training. A 2009 graduate of Hillsdale College, Holland served as a science teacher at the Vanguard School in Colorado Springs, Colorado, before returning to her alma mater to work with BCSI.
Photo Courtesy of Sameer A. Khan/Fotobuddy.