In this week’s episode, we chat with Shawna Hein, parent of two teenagers and founder of Northfield Academy, to explore how classical education helps students learn to love the good. Shawna shares her journey from homeschooling her neurodivergent son to (unexpectedly) leading a microschool that prioritizes beauty, wonder, and deep learning. We discuss why reading Shakespeare aloud as a community beats silent reading, how etymology becomes second nature, and why hospitality matters.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Why classical education focuses on helping students "discern what is good and love the good"

• How reading ancient texts aloud as a community mirrors their original oral tradition

• The power of etymology and how students begin "thinking in Cedi form"

• Why Northfield Academy keeps class sizes small and technology minimal

• How one struggling freshman improved 3-4 grade levels in reading within a year

• The importance of asking "why" behind every rule and lesson

• How homeschooling can reignite a parent's own love of learning

• Why hospitality and creating welcoming learning environments matter

• The myth that non-traditional education has to be expensive

CHAPTERS

[0:23] Introduction to Shawna Hein and Northfield Academy
[1:00] Shawna's favorite Shakespeare piece and teaching it to young students
[4:16] What it means to "discern what is good and love the good"
[6:49] Reading the classics aloud as a community
[9:01] Shawna's homeschooling journey with her neurodivergent son
[12:36] How her daughter requested to attend school and discovered Northfield
[19:52] The three components of classical education: grammar, logic, and rhetoric
[28:52] The importance of low-tech learning and building relationships
[31:50] How both of Shawna's children chose different educational paths
[36:06] The school motto: "Let them be born in wonder"

RESOURCES MENTIONED

• Northfield Academy - Classical micro school in Wichita, Kansas - https://northfieldacademy.org
• Eighth Day Books - Local bookstore in Wichita - https://eighthdaybooks.com
• ACE Scholarships - Scholarship program that helps families afford private education - https://acescholarships.org
• WISE (Wichita Innovative Schools and Education) - Resource organization for alternative education options - https://www.wisetogether.org/

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What if the key to raising resilient, grounded children isn't found in more activities, more technology, or more structured programs—but in less? In Part 2 of last week’s episode, William Durant—father of seven and founder of St. John Paul II Independent School—dives deeper into classical education through the lens of the “common arts.” He shares why hands-on work, good books, and a clear pursuit of truth are essential to forming thoughtful, grounded children in a world increasingly shaped by technology.

William also offers practical resources for families curious about classical education and simple steps for setting technology aside and learning to notice the beauty of everyday life.

HIGHLIGHTS

• The "common arts" philosophy: combining liberal arts (mind), fine arts (heart), and common arts (hands) to form the whole child
• How a fourth grader's struggle with chain mail weaving taught him perseverance—a lesson he couldn't learn from academics alone
• Why students are "evangelizing" to their parents about sourdough starters, leather work, and vegetable gardening
• The difference between surface-level modern education and the deep, integrated approach of classical learning
• How JP2 measures success: not through test scores, but through families saying "we wouldn't do it any other way"
• Why the school has no computers for students K-8, and how this prepares them better for the future
• Teaching students to question everything—even the historical inaccuracies in famous paintings like Washington Crossing the Delaware
• The reality of "dewiring" children's brains when they transition from public school to a slower, deeper pace of learning
• Practical first steps for parents: turn off the TV, read a story, look at the stars together
• Why it's never too late to change your parenting approach, even if your older children had a different experience

CHAPTERS

00:00 - Introduction and Welcome

00:15 - Homeschooling and Common Arts

01:02 - Student Engagement and Family Impact

01:30 - Traditional Values and Project-Based Learning

01:33 - Growth and Family Dynamics

02:49 - Hands-On Learning and Perseverance

05:27 - Founding a Classical School

08:25 - Classical vs. Modern Education

11:42 - Technology in Education

17:10 - The Role of Technology in Education

19:35 - Artistic License in Historical Representation

23:45 - Classical Education: Philosophy and Approach

27:00 - Integrating Classical Education into Modern Life

29:16 - Parental Guidance and Faith in Education

32:10 - Encouraging Ownership in Learning

35:05 - Practical Steps for Parents Interested in Classical Education

40:54 - Final Thoughts and Reflections

RESOURCES MENTIONED

• Classical U
• Classical School Wichita
• St. John Paul II Independent School (JP2)

Thank you for listening! If you enjoyed this conversation, please share it with a friend or leave a review to help others find the show.

Take the first step by downloading the VELA app in the App Store or Google Play.

What if the key to raising resilient, grounded children isn't found in more activities, more technology, or more structured programs—but in less? In this episode, William Durant—a father of seven and founder of St. John Paul II Independent School—shares how faith and family shape the way he lives and educates his children. He explains the principles behind his Catholic classical school and why simplicity matters at home. William also shares why his family chose a tech-free household—and how life without TV or cell phones has opened the door to more connection, creativity, and play.

Highlights

• How a group of seven families launched a classical Catholic school during COVID out of a desire to have a voice in their children's education
• Why William and his wife Katie chose a no-TV, no-phone household and how they protect family time over organized sports
• The hybrid school model: Monday-Thursday in-person learning with homeschool Fridays to keep parents integral in their children's education
• What "discipline out of love" really means and why clear boundaries help children become good human beings
• The three-legged stool of education: liberal arts (shaping the mind), fine arts (shaping the heart), and common arts (shaping the hands)
• Hands-on learning experiences at JP2: tapping maple trees, extracting honey from beehives, tanning deer hides, and growing vegetables in hoop houses
• How reading aloud as a family—from The Hobbit to Little House on the Prairie—creates lasting memories and models what matters
• Why knowing who you are in God's eyes is the ultimate goal of childhood formation

Chapters

00:00 - Introduction and Welcome

00:13 - Founding of St. John Paul II Independent School

01:37 - Educational Philosophy and Curriculum

05:18 - Balancing Homeschool and Traditional School

05:27 - Daily School Routine and Structure

07:58 - Family Values and Home Life

13:05 - Faith as the Foundation of Family Life

16:37 - Discipline and Parenting Approach

19:51 - The Role of Discipline in Parenting

24:41 - Intentional Parenting and Family Activities

26:20 - Classical Education and Its Importance

28:30 - Unique Aspects of J2 School

33:16 - Integrating Common Arts into Education

34:13 - Conclusion and Next Episode Teaser

Resources Mentioned

Books:

• The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien
• Little House on the Prairie series by Laura Ingalls Wilder
• The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe by C.S. Lewis

Schools & Organizations:

• St. John Paul II Independent School (JP2)
• Classical U
• Diocese of Wichita

Thank you for listening! If you enjoyed this conversation, please share it with a friend or leave a review to help others find the show.

Take the first step by downloading the VELA app in the App Store or Google Play.