The Torch

For the last three years, I have had the honor to write a monthly newsletter called The Torch for our Nova Classical Academy. The purpose of this newsletter is to provide systematic, continuing education on what classical education is, how the trivium works, how we support the Great Conversation, and many many more topics!! This year, I have written about the Ten Principles of Classical Education. If you have not been able to read all of them, I’ve linked the whole series at the end of this newsletter.

As I know the summer is a precious time for families, students, and staff to recharge, I am thrilled to write this month about one of my favorite things that can assist an effective decompression: a good book. I have been a voracious reader since I learned how to read. One of my first memories is listening to my dad read the Sunday “Funnies”, baffled at why he found Beetle Bailey so amusing. I spent long summer days at the Fargo Public Library, soaking up L. Frank Baum’s Oz series, Nancy Drew, and re-reading the Westing Game so many times that I practically had it memorized. As my mom was trying in vain to get me into Black Beauty, she finally had to concede that I would rather devour a murder mystery by Agatha Christie than read “horse books”.

At Nova Classical Academy, our students inspire me with their reading habits. I see students from Kindergarten to 12th grade walking along with books in their hands that are not part of our curriculum, but something they have picked up to read for pleasure. When our 6-11 students take the MCAs in the gym in April, I walk around to see what they are reading and often get recommendations for a new book for my own reading. If print books are not an interest for someone, audiobooks are an excellent alternative. Families often ask me about the merit of their child reading graphic novels and I always say that reading is a benefit, no matter the medium!

Books teach us so many things, but one of my favorite things about them is how they bring people together in discussion and wonder. Last week, my husband and I went with friends about an hour north of Grand Rapids, MN, to his family’s cabin on Deer Lake. The mosquitos were out for vengeance, so my friend Jessie and I decided one day to drive down to Grand Rapids in order to pick up some essentials. Okay, you got me . . . I wanted to go to Target.

As we were leaving town to drive back to the cabin, a tornado warning came over the radio and we were told to seek shelter immediately. The closest place was Grand Rapids High School, whose wonderful staff welcomed us into their performing arts center to spend the next 45 minutes watching the torrential rain. It was getting dark by the time we were able to get back on the highway, and the roads were flooded in places which made it a very stressful drive. But books were (of course) the hero of this story, since to keep me calm and focused, Jessie and I spent the whole drive talking about the books and stories that have captured our attention throughout our lives. Before we knew it, we had navigated (like Odysseus) the perils of the journey and returned home for a good meal and shelter from the storm. What better way to spend time with a friend as the skies rage above us?

May you find wonder, learning, and safe haven through reading,

Dr. Missy Johnson

mjohnson@novaclassical.org

September: Festina Lente- make haste slowly

October: Multum non Multa- much not many

November: Repetitio Mater Memoriae- repetition is the mother of memory

December: Songs and Chants

January: Wonder and Curiosity

February: Educational Virtues

March: Scholé/Contemplation/Leisure

April: Embodied Education

May: Docendo Discimus- by teaching we learn

June: Optimus Magister Bonus Liber est- the best teacher is a good book

Want to catch up or revisit any Torch issues?

2022-present The Torch
2021-2022 The Torch