Mission & Academics Blog

Amity Shlaes, chairperson of the board of the Calvin Coolidge Presidential Foundation in Vermont, was on campus recently, and I had the opportunity to meet her. When I heard she was coming to campus, I decided to pick up one of her several books, Coolidge. I started it; she came, she left, and I am still reading it. It captured my attention absolutely, but, well, it is 583 pages, so it may take me a while. I am learning so much about a president I previously knew almost nothing about. He is truly someone to be admired. His integrity offers a great example for us in the 21st century, and his perseverance in trials is inspiring.

In a world often focused on test scores and career preparation, Brookfield Academy remains steadfast in our commitment to something more central to human flourishing: the formation of character. Recently, I had the privilege of attending the National Symposium for Classical Education in Tempe, Arizona. The weather alone made the trip worthwhile, but the content was excellent and inspiring. Dr. David Diener, assistant professor of education at Hillsdale College, spoke eloquently about wonder and the true purpose of education—ideas that profoundly resonate with our school's philosophy. 

As much as I love to learn, my memories of calculus in both high school and college are painful. I struggled, and had to work very hard to get through those classes. Unfortunately, at that young age, I never truly understood what it was all for. Today, Mrs. Jenny. Neuenschwander, one of our BA math instructors, was able to get me excited and even, dare I say, joyful while contemplating calculus. As part of our Classical Heritage series, several parents and I experienced something remarkable—a presentation that transformed how many of us think about calculus. She showed us that calculus isn't just a collection of complex formulas but rather a powerful and fascinating lens through which we can understand our world.

Get a few parents together these days, and it won't be long before the conversation turns to screens and smartphones. The challenges are universal: How much time is too much? At what age should kids get their own devices? How do we protect them from social media pressures and online risks while still preparing them for a digital world?

I realized again this morning how fortunate I am because every time I sit down to write this blog, all I need to do is think about what’s been happening on campus, and I am inspired. Case in point: on Tuesday morning, BA parents had the privilege of experiencing a fascinating and fun presentation by our Mathematics Department Chair, Dave Reiner, on a topic that has captivated minds for over two millennia: Euclidean constructions. As I watched our parents' eyes light up during the demonstration of these elegant geometric techniques, I was reminded of why these ancient mathematical methods continue to hold such enduring educational value.

Here it is—another busy morning, and I have not yet written this week’s blog. I have struggled all week trying to come up with a worthy topic. And then, it happened. I had the most engaging book discussion with BA parents, and I cannot stop thinking about our conversation. Our group dove into Jeff Rosen's The Pursuit of Happiness: How Classical Writers on Virtue Inspired the Lives of the Founders and Defined America, exploring how America's founders viewed happiness not as mere pleasure but as a deeper pursuit of virtue and moral character.

It is a new year, our first week back at school, and already there is so much going on here on campus. What excites me the most is how well our busyness connects with who we are as a school, always aligned with our Mission. At the heart of our classical education lies a deep commitment to nurturing both the intellect and character of our students. This commitment comes to life through well-chosen opportunities that challenge our young scholars with a view toward human flourishing. Let me share two upcoming campus activities that the Center for Mission & Academics is delighted to support.