Creating Classroom Culture with Mandi Gerth

About the Guest

Mandi Gerth is a teacher and classical education consultant who lives in Dallas, Texas, with her husband and three of their five children. She currently serves as the Administrative Director of the Cowan Center at the University of Dallas. She holds a master of humanities degree from that institution with a concentration in classical education. Her first book, Thoroughness & Charm: Cultivating the Habits of a Classical Classroom, available exclusively from CiRCE Press, has quickly become one of their best-selling titles. In her definitive guide to classroom liturgy, she offers practical advice to the classical educator seeking a truly classical classroom while reminding the teacher of their high calling. Mandi provides practical and actionable ways to embrace the classical tradition and become a thinker worthy of imitation. Mrs. Gerth attends Church of the Holy Communion (REC), and for over twenty years, she and her husband have labored to build a family culture for their five children that values books, baseball, museums, home-cooked meals, and conversation about ideas.

Show Notes

Mandi joins Adrienne to discuss various themes in Mandi's book, Thoroughness and Charm. Adrienne noticed connections to Charlotte Mason's core principle that Education is an atmosphere, a discipline, and a life. All of these aspects merge into what an excellent and alive classroom looks like. Through anecdotes and experience, Mandi shares her passion and her story about the art of teaching.

Some topics covered include:

Why is it important to understand teaching as an art?-- What difference does it really make?How to create a common language in the classroomWhat are the differences between classroom liturgies and classroom catechismsHow and why integrating subjects/disciplines is importantHow to live a "classical" life and model this for your studentsResources and People Mentioned

The Silver Chair by C.S. Lewis

Unbinding Prometheus by Donald Cowan (Essay, The Three Moments of Learning)

Donald and Louise Cowan Center

The Art of Teaching by Gilbert Highet

Teach Like a Champion by Doug Lemov

Tales from Shakespeare by Charles and Mary Lamb