A Message from the Headmaster
Good afternoon Heart of Ohio Families,
Please accept my sincere apologies for the delay in sending out this week’s Pulse newsletter. I have just returned from the Hillsdale Classical School College Fair, and I wanted to take a moment to share the richness of that experience with you before we head into the long weekend.
It was truly an honor to be surrounded by fellow educators and scholars dedicated to the pursuit of truth and virtue. The days were filled with profound discussions, starting with a fascinating panel on the virtue of ambition. We often think of ambition as a double-edged sword, but Dr. Paul Ray, Professor of History at Hillsdale College, and the fellow panelists drew a beautiful distinction between “ignoble ambition”—which chases external rewards like grades or status—and “virtuous ambition,” or what Aristotle called “Greatness of Soul“. Virtuous ambition isn’t about the outcome; it is about setting “growth goals” and possessing an unquenchable desire to grow in internal excellence and service to others.
I also had the privilege of witnessing the brilliance of the next generation of classical educators. Three graduate students presented papers that touched on the very heart of what we do. Aiden Jones reminded us of the importance of contemplation in art education, arguing that true learning requires us to slow down, limit “visual noise,” and truly behold beauty rather than just analyzing it. Laura Johnson offered a compelling look at Booker T. Washington, exploring his “emergence from the briar patch” and the enduring value of his educational philosophy for our students today. Davis Smith provided a thoughtful critique of progressive pedagogy through the lens of John Dewey, contrasting it with our humane and traditional aims.
As I drove home reflecting on these ideas—virtuous ambition, contemplation, and historical wisdom—I realized how perfectly they frame our upcoming observance of Presidents Day.
A colleague of mine, Headmaster Anne Martin, of Founders Classical Academy in Conroe, Texas, recently shared a reflection that resonated deeply with me. In classical education, we study great leaders not simply to memorize dates or facts, but to “understand the virtues that guided their choices.” When we look at figures like George Washington or Abraham Lincoln, we aren’t just looking at men who held authority; we are looking at examples of leadership rooted in wisdom, service, and moral character.
This Presidents Day, I invite you to view the holiday through this classical lens. Let us look for the Greatness of Soul in our nation’s history. Did Washington seek power for its own sake (ignoble ambition), or did he accept the burden of leadership out of a sense of duty and internal excellence (virtuous ambition)? The presidency, rightly understood, is not just a position of power but a testament to the virtues of courage, prudence, justice, and temperance.
Family Contemplation
As you enjoy the long weekend together, I encourage you to pause and have a small conversation with your children to connect these ideas to your home life. Here are a few questions to guide your discussion:
- On Ambition: ask your children, “What is the difference between wanting to be great (having a big title) and wanting to do great things (helping others)?”
- On Leadership: Which quality of George Washington or Abraham Lincoln do you admire most? Is it their bravery, their honesty, or their ability to listen?
- On Virtue: How can we show ‘Greatness of Soul’ in our own house this week? Maybe by doing a chore without being asked or forgiving a sibling 77 times?
Thank you for partnering with us in this great work of forming future citizens and leaders.
Kind regards,
Angel Hennig