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The CiRCE Apprenticeship
Can
you picture yourself as a master teacher?
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:
- 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.
- 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
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Additional Information
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Your Questions |
Our Answers |
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Why does this service 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, and it is 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 keys 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,
weekly conference calls with eleven other
apprentices, and two two-day retreats, one in
January and one at the conclusion of the academic
year.
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How can I retain this service
for my school?
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Please call the CiRCE Institute at (704)786-9684 if
you are interested in becoming an apprentice for the
2008-09 school year. Since we like to retain an
intimate atmosphere and one most conducive to
learning, the CiRCE Apprenticeship program is
limited to twelve 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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