Hillsdale College Hoogland Center for Teacher Excellence Hosts Seminar on Mathematics
HILLSDALE, Mich. — Hillsdale College’s Hoogland Center for Teacher Excellence held a seminar on “The Art of Teaching: Mathematics” in Atlanta from Nov. 2-3. The seminar included presentations and breakout sessions on teaching mathematics in classical education.
Speakers included Daniel Coupland, dean of the Diana Davis Spencer Graduate School of Classical Education at Hillsdale College; Jonathan Gregg, assistant professor of education at Hillsdale College, and Nikki Teeple, math coordinator at Atlanta Classical Academy; among others.
Gregg opened the conference with a presentation on “Mathematics in Classical Education. “I think we have a responsibility to break down these supposed dichotomies and preserve some sort of a classical understanding of mathematics that is grounded in absolutist philosophy, but employs a humane pedagogy,” Gregg said. “We have to do this. We have to insist upon a crossing over in the nature of mathematics and in the pedagogy.”
In a later lecture, Coupland discussed “Tried and True Pedagogy,” a lecture encompassing ideas presented in Coupland’s 2022 book, “Tried and True: A Primer on Sound Pedagogy.” “New teachers who expect perfection at the start, or from the start, of their teaching careers will be sorely disappointed. Although some educators come to the profession with incredible natural abilities, the best teachers, like the best chefs, athletes, and artists, take years of learning, focus, and practice to hone their craft,” Coupland said. “New teachers should recognize their shortcomings, look for alternative methods by observing their experienced colleagues, try other approaches, and never give up.”
The Hoogland Center for Teacher Excellence builds upon the mission of Hillsdale College’s K-12 Education Office and offers professional development seminars to a nationwide audience of public and private school teachers. Hoogland Center programs are free of charge and participants receive a certificate upon completion.
For photos from the event, click here.
To view all upcoming Hoogland Center seminars, click here.
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