Exploring Accessibility at the National Symposium for Classical Education

The 2025 National Symposium for Classical Education will feature a dedicated track for students with disabilities, led by Tom Doebler, Senior National Director of Exceptional Student Services for Great Hearts, along with experts in the field. With a commitment to making classical education accessible for all students, Doebler will lead two sessions that address both the philosophy and practical implementation of special education in classical classrooms.

“How do we bring these kids into the experience of classical education?” Doebler asks, framing the central challenge of his sessions. During the Symposium, he will be leading the workshop titled, “IEPs for Classical Education.” This workshop will take a more practical turn, delving into the nuts and bolts of creating Individualized Education Plans (IEPs) tailored for classical schools. “What does an IEP look like for a student in classical education?” Doebler asks, emphasizing the importance of adapting plans to fit the classical model. He will also discuss the latitude within special education law that allows classical schools to design supports that are both effective and aligned with their unique educational mission.

Doebler will also be joined by Dr. Amy Richards from the Templon Honors College at Eastern University, for their workshop, “The Roots of Welcome: A Workshop on Classical Education for Students with Disabilities and Learning Differences.” In this session, Doebler and Richards will review the question of disability in classical, liberal arts education, considering the classical understanding of what it means to be human. For teachers and administrators, this discussion will provide insight into how to integrate students with disabilities into classical education while maintaining the integrity of the pedagogy. The session will also examine how these efforts align with the overarching mission of classical education.

Other Sessions in the Accessibility Track include: “Science of Reading” with Robert Pondiscio, “Trauma-Informed Approach to Behavior” with Melissa Adams, “The Human Use of Data: How to Collect and Approach Data to Promote Accessibility” with Bo Faser and Michael Linville, “Inviting Diverse Communities into Classical Education” with Zoranlly Burgos of Brilla Schools, and an Achievement workshop led by Ian Rowe.

This track of workshops will tackle the complexities of serving students with special needs who learn differently. “This is about ensuring that we welcome every student into our classrooms and invite them into the rich, transformative experience of a classical education,” Doebler explained.

“This has been a hotter topic of late,” Doebler noted. “This is about returning to the core of why we’re here and why we want to include all kids in this education.” By addressing the needs of exceptional students, the sessions reaffirm the commitment to a classical education that truly serves every child.

The National Symposium for Classical Education, set to take place at the Mission Palms Hotel in Tempe, Arizona, February 19-21, 2025, promises to be an inspiring event for educators and enthusiasts of classical education. The Symposium is the annual flagship event of the Great Hearts Institute, which is dedicated to renewing the tradition of classical education by directly supporting educators, school leaders, and families.

REGISTER TODAY for the 2025 National Symposium for Classical Education to take advantage of the special early bird pricing that expires soon.

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