An Update from Misty Russ, Lower School Dean
How do we teach our children not only to know what is good, but to love it?
βThe foundational distinction between traditional education and modern education is that the ancients believed that education was fundamentally about shaping loves.β
β Kevin Clark and Ravi Scott Jain, The Liberal Arts Tradition
βWhat if education wasnβt first and foremost about what we know, but about what we love?β
β James K. A. Smith
βEducation is teaching our children to desire the right things.β
β Plato
Classical education aims to point students toward what is True, Good, and Beautiful. But what does that look like in practice? How do we, as teachers and parents, help our children recognize and love these things?
At Cathedral Oak Academy, one of our goals in Lower School is to establish a strong foundation for learningβone that will deepen as students grow and equip them to recognize, articulate, and love Truth, Goodness, and Beauty.
One way we pursue this goal is through our daily Morning Meeting.
Beginning Each Day with Truth, Goodness, and Beauty
Each morning, our Lower School gathers for Morning Meeting. We intentionally place Truth, Goodness, and Beauty before our students, training them to recognize what is good and beautiful and, over time, to form their hearts to love these things.
Our daily Morning Meeting includes four formative practices:
Scripture Memorization: We memorize a passage of Scripture together, hiding Godβs Word in our hearts and establishing a foundation for discerning what is good.
Biblical and Historical Timeline: We trace events from Creation to the present day. This framework helps students understand how history unfolds and recognize Godβs goodness in times of flourishing as well as in the midst of evil.
Hymn Singing: Hymns are rich in theological truth and teach students to express their faith through beautiful words and music. As Psalm 147:1 reminds us, βPraise the Lord! For it is good to sing praises to our God; for it is pleasant, and praise is beautiful.β
Student-Led Prayer: Before heading to class, one student leads us in this simple prayer: βGod guide my hands and heart. Let all I do honor you.β
These practices are more than daily routines. They help shape what our students know, what they recognize as good, and ultimately, what they learn to love.
When We Begin to See the Fruit
The work of formation often happens quietly, in small moments that might otherwise go unnoticed.
Recently, teachers shared encouraging examples of students putting these lessons into practice:
Choosing selflessness: Two students willingly gave up something they wanted so that others could receive something they desired. Without prompting, they were beginning to consider others before themselves, leading to meaningful conversations about selflessness and love.
Showing compassion: One student noticed a classmate who was sad on the playground, asked if they were okay, and invited them to play.
These may seem like small acts, but they are meaningful signs of growth. They show students beginning to put others first, notice the needs of those around them, and act with compassion.
When I hear these stories, I am encouraged that God hears our morning prayer and is guiding our studentsβ hearts and hands to honor Him.
Forming Hearts for a Lifetime
At COA, our goal is to train our students in the way they should go, teaching them to recognize:
Truth in a world of error.
Eternal Goodness in contrast to what is merely temporary.
Genuine Beauty apart from cheap imitation.
We want our students to grow in wisdom, discernment, and loveβto recognize what is good and then choose to pursue it.
This formative work belongs to parents and teachers together. Through Scripture, worship, learning, conversation, and the daily example of faithful living, we help our children build a foundation that will serve them for years to come.
We pray Romans 12:9 over our students: that their love would be sincere, that they would hate what is evil, and that they would cling to what is good.
May God continue to guide their hearts and hands, forming in them a lasting love for what is True, Good, and Beautifulβall to the glory of God.
