Hillcrest Academy Upper School Teachers Engage in Professional Development on The Seven Laws of Teaching
Mr. Undseth gently sat in the chair and looked across the table at Mr. Tony Rogness. The two usually greet each other from across the hall, but on Thursday afternoon, they gathered with the Upper School teachers to participate in a Socratic circle, not as teachers but as students. Academic Dean Lauren Frobish guided the room of upper school teachers through a Socratic circle to discuss John Milton Gregory’s The Seven Laws of Teaching. The session reinforced their teaching methodologies and integrated art education to enhance students’ picture smarts, aligning with Hillcrest’s classical Christian approach.
The Socratic Circle: Teaching by Engaging the Mind
The professional development session began with teachers gathering in a Socratic Circle, which is a dynamic discussion format that encourages critical thinking, dialogue, and deeper understanding. The inner circle, comprised of experienced teachers, discussed the core principles outlined in The Seven Laws of Teaching, while the outer circle listened attentively and later contributed insights and applications from their classrooms. This reflective practice mirrored Hillcrest teachers' daily teaching strategies, fostering a culture of mentorship and intellectual curiosity.
The discussion focused on three fundamental laws:
The Law of the Teacher: Teachers must possess deep knowledge of their subject matter. Teachers examined self-assessment questions, reflecting on whether they study beyond their lesson plans and connect new material to students' lived experiences.
The Law of the Learner: Gaining and keeping students' attention is paramount. Teachers explored strategies such as varying presentation styles, using engaging storytelling, and minimizing classroom distractions to foster attentiveness.
The Law of Language: Clear, common language must bridge the gap between teacher and student. Faculty members discussed ways to simplify concepts and encourage students to rephrase lessons in their own words to deepen comprehension.
Art Integration: Elevating Picture Smarts for Holistic Learning
Beyond discussing pedagogical laws, the professional development session also emphasized integrating art into core subjects. Recognizing that true education extends beyond compartmentalized knowledge, Hillcrest educators explored ways to bridge disciplines through art. This aligns with the classical model’s commitment to forming well-rounded thinkers who can transfer knowledge across various contexts.
The teachers examined key artistic principles and how they can be intentionally woven into different subjects:
Line and Pattern: Teachers considered how students could use different line styles to express mathematical relationships or historical themes visually.
Color Theory: Exploring primary, secondary, and complementary colors, faculty members discussed their application in scientific models, literature symbolism, and theological imagery.
Value and Texture: The concept of light and darkness in shading became an analogy for understanding contrasts in literature, moral dilemmas in philosophy, and chiaroscuro techniques in art history.
Perspective and Depth: Teachers reflected on how students could use drawing exercises to enhance their understanding of geography, architecture, and spatial reasoning.
A key takeaway from the discussion was the intentional inclusion of at least one drawing activity per semester in each class. Teachers aim to deepen comprehension and equip students to think creatively across disciplines by encouraging them to translate their knowledge into visual representations.
The Hillcrest Difference: Mentorship, Integration, and a Gospel Mission
This professional development session exemplified what makes a Hillcrest education unique. Here, teachers are more than just instructors; they are mentors dedicated to guiding students toward a deeper knowledge of God and His created order. Refining their teaching craft and integrating subjects intentionally, they help students see how all truth connects to God’s design.