How would you like to be a member of an exclusive group of CiRCE certified master teachers? You can! By joining the CiRCE Institute Apprenticeship.

The CiRCE apprenticeship intrigued me because our school was searching for a writing curriculum and I wanted to dig deeper than the one day Workshop allowed.  I had previously attempted to integrate writing with my History classes but desired confidence and tools for teaching writing effectively. 

While I had many years of teaching experience, I was a novice in what it meant to “teach classically” and my understanding of the origins and nature of Classical Education was foggy. 

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. 

Thus the journey began two years ago.    Like anything worthwhile, what I have gained has required commitment, perseverance, reflection and hard work. 

Yet because of my involvement in the Circe Apprenticeship, I have become more convinced that teaching classically will equip our young students with the ability to reason, articulate, and write more effectively for the purpose of knowing truth and “loving that which is worth loving”. 

I have gained tools which have given me more confidence in my teaching. I never imagined how much I would enjoy teaching writing to Junior High Students. 

I used to think I was a good teacher because I was able to “explain the subject matter well to my students”.  Now I see my role as a guide who, by asking the right questions, leads my students to discover the answers themselves.

Lisa Baldwin
Journeyman

The CiRCE apprenticeship is an in-depth personal teacher training program in which 12 teachers are mentored by Andrew Kern.

The CiRCE apprenticeship involves two levels of commitment:

1. 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.
    
2. 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, Demetrius, Wendell Berry, etc.

Schedule

For the 2008 and 2009 school year, the apprenticeship kicks off with a five day retreat from August 11-15, 2008 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 two day retreat will be held on January 23 and 24, 2009 (tentative dates) in Concord, NC.

A year end retreat will be held April 30-May 1, 2009 (tentative dates). Apprentices determine whether to continue to the journeyman stage as early as possible, but no later than the end of May.

Recognition

At the end of the apprentice year, participants receive a certificate of accomplishment recognizing what they have achieved during this year.

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:

• Two of every three weeks during the school year, on days to be determined, apprentices meet for a telephone conference call. These meetings will probably occur on alternate Tuesday and Wednesday afternoons at 3:00 eastern time.
  • One of these three meetings will focus primarily on teaching the LTW
  • One will focus on the vision of Christian classical education and leadership issues (heads of school also participate in the apprenticeship)
  • The third week will have no meetings, though during September we plan on meeting the first five weeks so we get off to a good start.
• Ongoing Yahoo group discussion exclusively for the apprentices. Lots of planning and detailed discussion takes place in this format.
• CiRCE forum: apprentices are required to make at least one entry per week in the CiRCE forum (this is a new requirement, but those who have been participating have been so blessed by it that they usually contribute a great deal more).
• CiRCE apprentices have unlimited telephone access to Andrew Kern whenever he can take a phone call and for as long as he can talk.
• CiRCE apprentices have unlimited E-mail access to Andrew Kern 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

• Standing By Words, by Wendell Berry and
• The Office of Assertion by Dr. Scott Crider.

The syllabus for the remainder of the school year is under discussion with the apprentices. It will include 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 and subject it to peer review. 

As we are entering the fourth year of the apprenticeship in the fall of 2008, we have learned and refined quite a bit over the last two years. You are stepping in at a great time.

Tuition and fees (please note reduction made on May 16)

Tuition for the apprenticeship is determined by the option you choose for payment.

• Full tuition: $2500/yr, paid $250 monthly for 10 months (July 1 to April 1)
• Discounted tuition: save 10% by paying the full tuition before July 1: $2250.
• 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/book fees (including all the "Lost Tools" teacher materials, plus text books used, handouts, etc.) and administrative expenses.

"What is covered by these fees?"

• Tuition for all instruction received
• Books and administrative fees
• Lunch during retreats
• Apprentice's banquet during the summer retreat

"What additional costs can I expect?"

• Travel, room, and board (breakfast and supper) for retreats, August, January, and April-May 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
88 Church St.
Concord, NC 28025

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 will open to the CiRCE certified master teacher.

For example, one CiRCE apprentice, Leah Lutz, was offered a unique opportunity to teach The Lost Tools of Writing within a week of completing her FIRST year apprenticeship!

If you have additional questions, please contact us at apprenticeship@circeinstitute.org