Kirk's works are engaging today's students and teachers.

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Dear
John,
Recently, I was delighted to hear that a group of high school students in New York met weekly to discuss The Conservative Mind over the past summer. What did these young people, immersed in a culture of ideological conformity and pervasive mass media, make of this history of ideas written 70 years ago?

“The thing that impressed me the most,” one student remarked “is how accurate all these philosophers and figures whom Kirk highlighted were in predicting the problems we face today.”

Led by teacher David Bonagura, the reading group identified many points that speak to today’s most controversial issues. For more reactions to the themes they discussed, read his brief article in the Bookman ([link removed]) .
As you may know, the Kirk Center held its first conference for high school teachers focused on another of Russell’s books, The Roots of America Order, this summer in Holland, Michigan. I’m happy to report that the first “Pillars” conference was a resounding success. Teachers came from as far as California, Florida, and Pennsylvania to dedicate a few days to deepening their understanding of the beliefs, laws, and practices that have formed American society.

Each session opened with a brief explication of a significant historical era by one of the four professors, followed by a Socratic dialogue format, and incorporated discussions of how best to present the material in high school classrooms. All of the teachers reported that the quality of the discussions exceeded their expectations and that it improved their ability to explain the fundamental ideas, institutions, and practices which shaped the American constitutional system. Here is a summary from one participant:

“Excellent. Those running each session did a great job of allowing others to not only speak concerning the central questions but also did a good job of allowing time for individuals to share their own think ‘aloud's’ concerning how to work through their various struggles with possible presentations of the material through the curriculum and reaching students with the ideas and materials covered utilizing the tools available to them.”

By increasing the participants’ historical and civic knowledge, the conference prepared them to better communicate to their students the moral and social framework that supports America’s tradition of ordered liberty. The benefits of the conference will continue to be realized as teachers engage high school students in the classroom for years to come.

As 100% of the participants said they would recommend the Pillars conference to other teachers, the Kirk Center will hold a similar conference for a new group of teachers during the summer of 2022. In this way, the Kirk Center will continue to reach high school teachers and students seeking to understand the contributions of historical experience to America’s civil social order. In the meantime, one of our partner organizations, the McConnell Center, is running a year-long program on Roots for high school teachers, undergraduates, and members of the U.S. Army. You can find out more aboutthe program here ([link removed]) and the podcast series at “Vital Remnants ([link removed]) ” will be available for anyone to access.
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This month’s featured Classic Kirk piece is “Churchill: Common Sense Incarnate ([link removed]) .” Russell, who once heard Winston Churchill speak in Glasgow, analyzes his rhetorical power and his realistic diplomacy in this article for The Detroit News. At a distance of 75 years from Churchill’s famous “Iron Curtain” speech, it is timely to examine Churchill’s influence upon America.

Best,

Annette Y. Kirk, President
The Russell Kirk Center for Cultural Renewal

P.S. If you do not receive our twice-yearly print newsletter, Permanent Things, you can sign up here ([link removed]) . The fall issue goes out next week.
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