The Good Teacher

This course, presented by Dr. Christopher Perrin and Carrie Eben, offers a rich and accessible introduction to the foundational principles of classical education for teachers. Through twelve core lessons and a series of dynamic conversations, the course invites educators into a deeper understanding of teaching as soul formation, shaped by timeless ideas, embodied practices, and life-giving relationships.

Together, Perrin and Eben unpack ten classical pedagogical principles—including festina lente (make haste slowly), multum non multa (much, not many), repetitio mater memoriae (repetition is the mother of memory), docendo discimus (by teaching, we learn), and scholé (restful learning)—and show how they apply across subjects, student ages, and school models. Each principle is explored not only through philosophical reflection but through vivid classroom stories, concrete strategies, and thoughtful encouragement.

Throughout the course, participants are guided to view their classrooms as places of wonder, friendship, formation, and joy. Assessment is reframed as sitting beside rather than standing over, great books are celebrated as true teachers, and teachers themselves are continually called to grow as mature students, modeling the very virtues they seek to cultivate.

Whether you are new to classical education or seeking renewal in your teaching, this course offers both inspiration and practical tools for shaping students’ loves, habits, and affections in light of the good, the true, and the beautiful.

Dr. Christopher Perrin, MDiv, PhD, is the CEO with Classical Academic Press, and a national leader, author, and speaker for the renewal of classical education. He serves as a consultant to classical Christian schools, schools converting to the classical model, and homeschool co-ops. He is the director of the Alcuin Fellowship, former co-chair of the Society for Classical Learning, and an adjunct professor with the honor’s program at Messiah College, Chris previously served for ten years as a headmaster of a classical Christian school in Harrisburg, PA. Christopher received his BA in history from the University of South Carolina and his MDiv and PhD in apologetics from Westminster Theological Seminary. He was also a special student in literature at St. John’s College in Annapolis, Maryland.

For over twenty-five years, Carrie Eben has championed classical education in both the private school classroom and homeschool arenas. As a classical education consultant, she develops and delivers customized workshops for administrators, teachers, and parents in both classical school and homeschool settings. She currently serves as founding board member at Sager Classical Academy in Siloam Springs, AR. In addition, Carrie is a CiRCE Institute Master Teacher Apprenticeship Head Mentor for the Ozark Mountain Region who holds a BSE in Intermediate Education from John Brown University, a MSEd in Curriculum and Instruction from Oklahoma State University and is a PhD student in the Humanities program at Faulkner University.

You may also enjoy the accompanying book The Good Teacher by Dr. Christopher Perrin and Carrie Eben available for pre-order in paperback from Classical Academic Press. This video course follows the content of the book closely. Both the book and course can stand on their own.