Classical in goals and methods

Through small on-ground seminars, online self-paced courses, and online asynchronous courses with experienced professors and practitioners, students in the MAT explore the history, theory, and practice of classical liberal arts education. This approach enables teachers to explore timeless questions and develop the practical arts of teaching in dialogue with the great teachers, great books, and great ideas of the liberal arts tradition. Our goal is to inspire and prepare teachers who are not just knowledgeable about their disciplines and skilled practitioners of the craft of teaching, but who are also virtuous men and women who love to learn, worship, play, and delight in a community of students and teachers.

Designed for working teachers, the heart of the MAT program takes place during a four-week summer residency. During this session, students take 1-week and 2-week intensive courses in beautiful suburban Philadelphia alongside other classical teachers from around the country. The balance of the program is conduced online in self-paced and asynchronous courses. 

While the online courses make the program more accessible for many teachers, we believe your teacherly formation happens best just as it does for your students, that it is, through the kinds of ordinary embodied human relationships that develop during our summer residencies (described by some of our students as "summer camp for classical educators"!).

We look forward to getting to know you, hearing your story, and helping you become the classical teacher you want to be!

Fall 2024 Online Offerings

ClassInstructorModalityRegister by
Great Conversations II: The GoodDr. Amy RichardsAsynchronous August 31
Women in the Liberal ArtsDr. Brian Williams, Joelle Hodge, Dr. Anika Prather, et al.Online, Self-PacedSeptember 6th
The Art of PoetryProf. Christine PerrinOnline, Self-PacedOctober 21st
Teaching the Bible ClassicallyDr. Fred PutnamOnline, Self-PacedOctober 21st

 

Spring 2025 Online Offerings

 

ClassInstructorModalityRegister by
The History of Ancient & Medieval EducationDr. Brian WilliamsAsynchronousJanuary 13
Philosophy and Psychology of the Young PersonDr. Amy RichardsAsynchronousJanuary 13
Women in the TraditionDr. Brian Williams, Joelle Hodge, Dr. Anika Prather, et al.Online, Self-PacedJanuary 13
Art of PoetryProf. Christine PerrinOnline, Self-PacedMarch 10
Teaching the Bible ClassicallyDr. Fred PutnamOnline, Self-PacedMarch 10

Summer Residency 2025 Sessions

SessionDates
Session IJune 9 - June 13
Session II

June 16 - June 27

Class to break for Juneteenth Holiday

Session III

June 30 - July 5

Class to break for Independence Day Holiday

Summer Residency 2025 Offerings

ClassInstructorModalityRegister by
Classical Pedagogy IRavi JainResidency Session IMay 19
Classical Pedagogy II: Mastering the Craft of Classical EducationBrian WilliamsResidency Session IIMay 19
Great Conversations III: The BeautifulTBDResidency Session IIMay 19
Difference & Human DignityAmy RichardsResidency Session IIMay 19
History of Modern EducationRavi JainResidency Session IIIMay 19

 

“The MAT program has kept the idealist in me alive. Every educator feels trapped by some great issue in the American educational system today. The MAT program has helped me carefully examine the history of these issues and their philosophical underpinnings. With the Great Tradition as our guide, we teachers are able to come together to read great works that reinvigorate our tired imaginations. I am more hopeful teacher because of the rich conversations I have had with my classmates and professors.”

Frank Chilbert, Mainline Classical Academy - Bryn Mawr, PA