Jerilyn Olson Shows Socrates is for Kindergarteners Too

Jerilyn Olson, Chief People Officer, has been with Great Hearts as a teacher and a supporter of teachers for almost 19 years. She will be returning again this year to host a workshop at the 2024 National Symposium for Classical Education on March 20-22 at the Phoenix Convention Center, hosted by the Great Hearts Institute.

“I’m so excited to join you at the Classical Education Symposium this year,” said Olson. Her workshop, Introduction to Socratic Questions in a K-5 Classroom, will tackle the quandary many K-5 Teachers have about how the Socratic Method applies in a K-5 classroom – are Kindergarteners really supposed to seminar on Aristotle?

“Often, we get asked, ‘I love this approach but is it really appropriate for K-5? Is it only for philosophy? Is it only for upper minds? Is it only for seminar in a circle or does it happen anytime you ask questions?’” Olson is excited to tackle these questions and more in her workshop. “We will discuss lesson planning with inquiry in mind, unit introductions that inspire wonder, and the ‘sweet-spot’ questions that follow,” she said. “I’m so excited to see you there as we delve into the idea of question as part of fruitful conversation.”

Great Hearts Institute is excited to add this workshop to its robust programming during the Symposium and they are especially optimistic to have Olson back as a speaker. Her education began as a homeschooled student through the eighth grade, at which point she attended one of the first public charter schools in the nation with a classical curriculum.

She then continued her education by attending Claremont McKenna College, a liberal arts college in Southern California, where she double majored in Literature and Government. After helping found the second school in the Great Hearts network and teaching for 6 years, she began working to support the growing community of faculty. During her tenure, she has also completed a master’s degree in Humanities with a Classical Education Concentration through The University of Dallas.

Olson and her husband live in the Phoenix area and delight in watching their own three children thrive in a classical education environment.

Don’t miss the opportunity to hear from Olson along with and other inspiring and informative speakers on March 20-22, 2024 at the Phoenix Convention Center, where they will each be giving their unique talks during the National Symposium for Classical Education. Registration is NOW LIVE!

Secure your spot with the exclusive early bird special – $50 off for individuals and groups of five or more. We are pleased to announce that this offer has been extended to Friday, February 2^nd,2024.

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The Symposium will focus on renewing the Great Conversation concerning great works and perennial ideas. This year we will underscore the importance of teaching and modeling the conversations that lead to insight–among colleagues, between teachers and students, with families, and across our communities. At a time when our society most needs genuine dialogue, classical schools provide a sanctuary of genuine civility. Join us to discover how classical education embodies the good conversations, providing both the means and the model for a more civil society.

Do you have a story or know of a story that you would like to see featured at Great Hearts?  Please contact jason.moore@greathearts.org.