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Apprenticeship
When you see yourself, do you see a master teacher?
You can! By joining the CiRCE Institute Apprenticeship.
"The idea of having an on-going
relationship with
a Master Teacher and
someone who had researched,
wrestled
with, and was passionate about Classical
Education seemed like a timely and
exciting opportunity
that I did not want
to miss."
CiRCE
Certified Master Teacher Lisa Baldwin
Community//
Instruction //
Confidence //
Credibility //
Hands-On Training
The CiRCE Apprenticeship
The CiRCE apprenticeship is an in-depth,
personal teacher training program in which
15 teachers are mentored by Andrew Kern with
the help of master teachers Leah Lutz and
Camille Goldston.
The CiRCE apprenticeship involves two levels
of commitment:
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Apprentices: New apprentices make a
one
year commitment, during which
they receive "basic" instruction on the
Christian classical vision and
philosophy and on Christian classical
modes of teaching, using The Lost
Tools of Writing as the core of the
curriculum.
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Journeymen: At the end of the first
year, apprentices decide whether to
continue as journeymen.
If they decide to do so, they make a
two year commitment. During these
two years, the journeymen take a more
active role in the development and
implementation of the program, curriculum,
and apprenticeship activities.
Materials
Since teaching is a rhetorical exercise,
we use The Lost Tools of Writing as the
content of the instruction. The apprentice
is expected to either apply or oversee the
application of The Lost Tools of Writing in
his or her school or home. We have found a
remarkable synergy develops between writing
and teaching when we use The Lost Tools of
Writing because of its emphasis on thinking
and orderly communication.
In addition, teachers will be assigned
support and reading materials from Plato,
Aristotle, Edward PJ Corbett, Wendell Berry, etc.
Schedule
For the 2009 and 2010 school year, the
apprenticeship kicks off with a five day
retreat from August 10-14, 2009 in Concord,
NC. From the end of that
retreat through August, apprentices will
have reading materials that will equip them
for the upcoming school year and to prepare
for the on-going apprenticeship that begins
in September.
A mid-year
four day retreat will be held
in February (dates TBD) in
Concord, NC.
NB:
To save money and time, we have combined the
winter and spring retreat
into one "wing" or "sprinter" retreat,
depending on your taste.
Recognition
At the end of the apprentice year,
participants receive a certificate of
accomplishment recognizing their
achievements.
At the end of the two journeyman years,
participants receive a framed certificate
recognizing their status as a Certified
Master Teacher.
Communications and
Requirements
In addition to these retreats,
apprentices communicate as follows:
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Two
of every three weeks during the school
year, on days to be determined,
apprentices meet for a telephone
conference call. During these meetings,
the group
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discusses issues that arise and
lessons learned while implementing
LTW.
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discusses a great literary text
(Hamlet last year) and what we can
learn about Christian classical
education through this text.
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discusses the vision of Christian
classical education as it relates to
their actual practice
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discusses students' work
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Ongoing Yahoo group discussion
exclusively for the apprentices.
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CiRCE
forum: apprentices are required to make
at least one entry per week in the CiRCE
forum
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CiRCE
apprentices have telephone access to
Andrew Kern, Leah Lutz, Camille
Goldston, and their assigned mentors
(journeymen).
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CiRCE apprentices have unlimited
E-mail access to Andrew Kern, Leah Lutz,
Camille Goldston, and the
CiRCE staff.
Apprentices will also be responsible to
collect and present writings from their
students to the rest of the group and for
samples to be posted on-line, to help
develop materials for the Lost Tools of
Writing, and to offer counsel to others
using The Lost Tools of Writing.
Apprentices will read and discuss a
selection of books on writing and classical
education. Prior to this summer's August
retreat (11-15), apprentices will read
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Standing By Words, by Wendell
Berry and
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The Office of Assertion by
Dr. Scott Crider.
The syllabus for the school year
is available upon request. It includes portions of
Edward PJ Corbett's Classical Rhetoric
For The Modern Student, selections from
Plato's dialogues, and selections from
Aristotle's Rhetoric.
Finally, apprentices are required to
master the materials of the Lost Tools of
Writing. Thus, each apprentice
will be required to write a text that
demonstrates competence to the level of the
materials they have learned in the program.
In addition, at the year end retreat in
April-May,
each apprentice will teach an instruction
module, receiving peer and mentor review of
their work.
Tuition and fees
Tuition for the apprenticeship is
determined by the option you choose for
payment.
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Full tuition: $2500/yr, paid $250
monthly for 10 months (July 1 to April
1)
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Discounted tuition: save 10% by
paying the full tuition before July 1:
$2250.
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Middle range: save 5% by paying
$1000 before July 1, followed by 10
monthly payments of only $135.
In addition, a $250 deposit is required
to cover administrative and book
fees (including
all the "Lost Tools" teacher materials, plus
text books used, handouts, etc.) and
administrative expenses.
"What is covered by these fees?"
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Tuition for all instruction received
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Books and administrative fees
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Lunch during retreats
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Apprentice's banquet during the
summer retreat
"What additional costs can I expect?"
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Travel, room, and board (breakfast
and supper) for retreats, August and
February to be held
in Concord, NC (apprentices usually
share rooms and costs on these retreats).
References
To communicate with current and past
apprentices, contact us and we will be happy
to give you contact information. Here's an
unsolicited note from apprentice Camille
Goldston:
At the beginning I was intimidated by
teaching in front of everyone else.
I felt I needed to be the best
and feared criticism (though I wanted
it).
NOW I feel I'm part of a team. I no
longer worry about being the best. I no
longer fear being corrected because I've
learned that everyone corrects each
other with a team spirit of coaching
each other so we can all be the best.
No one rips us apart (even though you
try to make it sound that way ;) ). We
just contribute ideas to add to what
everyone's already doing right in his
teaching. It's great! I want to do
more of it (being coached, that is).
I'm grateful for the opportunity to be a
part of this!! Thank you!!!
How to apply
Please send us your normal contact
information, your role in your school or
home, and a one to two page essay about what
you hope to gain from the CiRCE
apprenticeship. We would be thrilled to hear
from you! Send correspondence to:
CiRCE Institute Apprenticeship
4190 Brownwood Lane
Concord, NC
28027
or
E-mail us at
apprentice @ circeinstitute.org
Assessment
Teachers are evaluated for
teaching skills, writing skills, and
participation in discussions by the master
teacher (in this case, Andrew Kern) at the
end of each level of involvement. Along the
way, specific activities are evaluated both
formally and informally by peers in the
program and by the master teacher.
FAQ's
Can I audit?
In certain limited cases
participants may be allowed to audit if
their circumstances are exceptional.
However, while the work load is reduced for
auditors, all fees are still required and
full participation is expected when
possible.
What can I do with this
training when I am done?
Of course, the main and by
far the most important thing you can do is
teach and communicate better.
In addition,
any Christian classical school is to sure to
appreciate the value of what you have
learned.
You could also set up your own
apprenticeship. After all, you will be a
master teacher. That means you are ready to
teach others.
Or perhaps you would like to
conduct Lost Tools of Writing classes or
programs in your area. You may even want to
consult under the CiRCE flag!
A whole world
of possibilities opens to the CiRCE
certified master teacher.
If you have additional
questions, please contact us at
apprentice@circeinstitute.org
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Additional Information
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Your Questions |
Our Answers |
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Why does the CiRCE
Apprenticeship matter?
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As a
classical teacher you pursue the most noble
endeavor—and one of the most challenging. Unruly
students, difficult ideas, and the challenges of
effective communication all rally to make teaching
an exacting job.
But
you persevere because you believe. You believe that
through classical Christian education the lives and
minds and hearts of young people can be nourished.
You believe that the principles of the classical
Christian vision have the power to heal our culture
and our society and to direct our young people
toward wisdom and virtue—toward what makes a person
truly educated.
By training with the CiRCE
Institute Apprenticeship program, you can pursue
your dreams with less trouble and you can become an
excellent teacher at the same time!
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How will my school/teaching
benefit from this service?
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The
CiRCE Institute Apprenticeship program is a
one-of-a-kind, personal, intimate learning
experience that will enable you to:
- Teach
classical rhetoric
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Master the art of classical teaching
- Think
and communicate more effectively
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Develop and pursue purpose in all your
instruction
- Teach
with vision
Second-year apprentice Camille Goldston had
this to say about her experience:
“I’ve been able to
make direct application in my classroom of
everything I’ve learned in the apprenticeship. I’ve
followed the curriculum and taught the writing
process just as it has been taught to me. I have
had great success with it too. I have seen dramatic
improvement in my students’ writing—and in their
attitude towards writing— over the past year.”
You
will find yourself inspired, instructed, and
encouraged, and you will appreciate the vision of
classical education more than ever.
The
apprenticeship is a program based on relationship
and communication. Using The Lost Tools of
Writing™, a classically based composition
program that teaches writing the way Shakespeare
learned it, you will learn how to improve both your
writing and your teaching skills.
You
will learn that classical teaching must be less
about systems and formulae and more about purpose
and vision, and subsequently about wisdom and
virtue.
By
employing the Socratic Method and by discussing
concepts and ideas which are eternally relevant, you
will energize your classroom. And then you will be
able to cultivate your students’ souls.
Apprentice and teacher, Lisa
Baldwin, says,
"During our weeklong apprentice
retreat, I had the opportunity to observe Andrew
Kern teaching. Watching him teach, I knew that he
was a Master Teacher. Mr. Kern has a gift for
challenging students to think, to ponder, to ask
questions. He knows how to inspire them and yet
provide them with the tools to learn."
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Essentially, what are you
offering my school or group?
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The
CiRCE Institute Apprenticeship program is a
revolutionary program, unlike any other
teacher training program available.
Through the year-long program, teachers will be
trained and coached to understand the meaning behind
classical education and to learn the tools to become
an effective teacher, one who cultivates wisdom and
virtue in his or her students, nurturing their
souls.
The program includes a week-long conference,
almost weekly conference calls with eleven other
apprentices, and one four day retreat in February.
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How can I get involved?
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Please call the CiRCE Institute at (704)786-9684 if
you are interested in becoming an apprentice for the
2009-10 school year.
Since we like to retain an intimate atmosphere and
one most conducive to learning, the CiRCE
Apprenticeship program is limited to fifteen teachers.
Call today to reserve
your spot. |
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What other resources does CiRCE
Institute offer that are similar or related to this
one? |
Lost Tools of Writing™
Next Step Teacher Training™
Conference
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