PREPARING VIRTUOUS TEACHERS REGENTSAUSTIN.ORG/RESIDENCY
discover your calling in the classroom at the residency at regents school of austin
DAN PETERSON
HEAD OF SCHOOL, REGENTS SCHOOL OF AUSTIN
In 2005, at 28, I began serving in school leadership while completing a Master of Divinity after working in parachurch youth ministry. By God’s grace, I found myself hiring teachers for a Christian school, facing the challenge that no university or college prepared teachers for the classical Christian movement. Finding teachers equipped to teach from a classical and Christian worldview was incredibly difficult.
Now today, the same challenges persist. Although some colleges, universities, and programs have emerged, there remains a significant gap between the growth of the classical Christian movement and the need for trained teachers and leaders. How can we bridge this gap? It will require training, discipleship, formation, education, and accountability.
The Residency at Regents is designed to fill this void by training the next generation of classical Christian educators and leaders. Paul’s epistles frequently encourage “imitate me” (1 Cor 4:16, 11:1; Phil 3:17, 4:9; 2 Thess 3:7-9), emphasizing incarnational discipleship and life-on-life mentorship.
REGENTS
A CHRISTIAN CLASSICAL COMMUNITY IN THE HEART OF AUSTIN
ARE YOU WORRIED ABOUT THE CURRENT STATE AND FUTURE OF EDUCATION? DO YOU WANT TO TRANSFORM HOW CHILDREN LEARN AND DEVELOP? OR ARE YOU SEARCHING FOR SOMETHING PROFOUND AND TIMELESS TO PASS ON TO THE NEXT GENERATION?
Here at the Residency at Regents, we want to help you find what you are looking for—and we think many of your answers can be found on our campus in beautiful Austin, Texas. That is because we’ve found what you may be looking for within the rich tradition of classical Christian education and, for over 30 years, Regents School of Austin has been helping to reorient education back to its classical and Christian foundations. During this time, we’ve learned a lot and accumulated many hard-earned answers. Now, thirty years later, we want to help you find these answers too. That’s because these answers never belonged to us; they’ve always been a gift from the Lord.
To be true to our school’s name, we want to steward these God-given answers to train and develop aspiring educational leaders who are passionate about contributing to the continuously growing classical Christian school movement.
We want to use our past 30 years of experience to help the next 30 years of educators flourish spiritually and professionally.
THIS IS WHY WE ARE HERE
THE RESIDENCY AT REGENTS AIMS TO INFLUENCE THE FUTURE OF CLASSICAL CHRISTIAN EDUCATION BY TRANSFORMING THE NEXT GENERATION OF CLASSICAL CHRISTIAN EDUCATORS.
THE RESIDENCY EXPERIENCE:
A TEACHER FORMATION PROJECT
At the heart of it all, The Residency at Regents is an incarnational, eight-month spiritual and pedagogical formation project built to help you do two things: 1) Explore and 2) Experience classical Christian education in real-time, in real classrooms, with real students, alongside real mentors.
Here is how it works:
I. EXPLORATION
The Residency exists to help you see classical, Christian education in real time and to help you asses where the Lord is calling you to serve in this movement. To do just that, the Residency offers you the opportunity to see classical Christian education firsthand from all angles of a K-12 school. This 8-month Residency opens virtually every door at Regents to help you explore everything our school has to offer. You will spend time with Regents leadership—from the Head of School to the CFO along with the rest of the Senior Staff. Then you will walk with the leadership teams in the Schools of Grammar, Logic, and Rhetoric. Then to see the trivium of classical educa-
tion in real time, you will serve in classrooms in each School, from the kindergarten wing all the way to Senior level courses on the third floor of the Rhetoric building. Here you’ll have the opportunity to observe master teachers in action, participate in professional development seminars, and engage in coursework that explores the foundations of classical education.
1ST SEMESTER: EXPLORATION
2ND SEMESTER: EXPERIENCE
SPIRITUAL FORMATION
II. EXPERIENCE
At Regents, we understand that becoming an exceptional educator is a lifelong journey and we want to offer you the support and guidance you need to thrive. This is why we’ve built this program on a strong foundation of mentorship and professional development. That is why, after your time in each school, you will focus on your discipline of choice. In your second semester, you will be paired with a Regents mentor teacher. Their purpose:
to help you flourish personally and professionally as a classical Christian teacher. Our teachers know Regents and know how to teach. We humbly believe our faculty is some of the best in the world. They are our greatest resource, and they live to invest in you, because they want to help transform your world—and, thereby, transform the world through you. To do this, you will be in their classrooms for four months where they will push you to be the best Christian and classical teacher you can be. They will prepare you to teach and then help you do just that under their supervision, guidance, and support.
Over the semester, you’ll take on increasing responsibilities in the classroom, collaborating with your mentor teacher to plan and deliver lessons, assess student progress, and develop your own unique teaching style. Throughout this hands-on experience, you’ll receive continuous feedback, support, and guidance from our dedicated faculty and administrative staff. Here, you will be guided through the intricacies of classical pedagogy, classroom management, and curriculum development so that the Lord may use you to “turn the world upside down” (Acts 17:6) for his glory through your classroom.
But the Residency at Regents is not just a training program; it’s a transformative journey that will shape you as an educator and as a person. Throughout both semesters, you will be encouraged to grow spiritually and intellectually.
At the heart of the Residency is a carefully curated curriculum that integrates the study of the liberal arts, theology, and educational philosophy. You’ll engage with a rich tapestry of subjects, including The Great Books, Theology and Christian
Thought, Educational Philosophy, and Cultural Engagement. You’ll study the works of great thinkers and educators, from Plato to Dorothy Sayers, gaining a deep understanding of the principles that ground our pedagogical approach.
Throughout your coursework, you’ll engage in lively discussions and collaborate with your peers all to foster an intellectual community that incites inquiry, debate, lifelong learning, fellowship, and spiritual growth.
Additionally, you will have the opportunity to engage in one-on-one mentorship and take part in regular professional development sessions facilitated by our faculty and guest speakers. You will also explore what it means to live as a Christian in today’s challenging culture. You will study the experiences of those who have come before you and observe how this can impact and transform your life today. All of this will take place within a supportive community of lifelong learners who are bonded by a shared dedication to intellectual curiosity, spiritual growth, and the pursuit of truth and God’s glory.
The Lord may use you to “turn the world upside down” (Acts 17:6) for his glory through your classroom.
YOU’LL EXPLORE THE WORKS OF INFLUENTIAL THINKERS AND EDUCATORS, FROM PLATO TO DOROTHY SAYERS, GAINING A PROFOUND UNDERSTANDING OF THE PRINCIPLES THAT UNDERPIN OUR PEDAGOGICAL APPROACH. AT REGENTS
TEN ESSENTIALS:
DISTINCTIONS OF OUR PROGRAM
Now, you may be asking, “What makes the Residency distinct from other field experience options?” We think the following 10 essentials help the Residency at Regents stand out—and make it worth spending a few months with us in Austin:
I. FOCUSED THEOLOGICALLY
We are unashamedly Christian in our approach. That is because the hope we offer is an eternal hope only found in our Lord Jesus Christ. For this reason, we believe that everything—including education—centers on Christ. Which is why we seek to not only teach our residents how to be Christians, but to walk with them along the “Way” that Christ has set out before all of us, to see and show how the gospel cuts through our hearts and our classrooms.
II. TRAINED CLASSICALLY
Our dedication to classical pedagogy goes beyond merely defining the method; we are committed to implementing its principles to empower our resi-
dents. By engaging with this pedagogy, you will not only gain theoretical knowledge but also experience a deep immersion and formation within it as Residents.
III. INFORMED CULTURALLY
We recognize that classical education can sometimes overlook the present and future to give deference to the past. This approach could sometimes even be critiqued as trying to swap contemporary culture for an ancient one. However, we don’t think the old world is at odds with our modern age. This is why we want to help our residents navigate and utilize the classics to inform and reorient their current context rather than replace (or overlook) it.
IV. DELIVERED INCARNATIONALLY
We believe in providing residents with real-world, face-to-face educational experiences that foster problem-solving in a diverse community with shared goals. Our partnership with the city of Austin is crucial to our Residency program.
V. APPLIED HOLISTICALLY
We believe in educating the whole person, for both students and educators. At the Residency, we train residents in all aspects of their being and aim to provide a holistic perspective on students and curriculum. Our focus is on real-life, face-to-face engagement in interpersonal classrooms, and our curriculum includes experiential learning with real teachers and students in the city of Austin.
VI. MENTORED INTENTIONALLY
In his providence, God has been kind to assemble such a brilliant and gifted faculty at Regents. But beyond their capabilities, they are also servant hearted. They aren’t just focused on their classes; many are focused on the next generation of classical, Christian leaders as well. For that reason, the Regents’ approach to residential mentorship goes above and beyond the usual student-teacher experience. It is personal, intentional, challenging, and encouraging all at the same time.
VII. AIMED ETERNALLY
We have found that educational “success” is too often defined by standardized test scores or, more broadly, earth-bound (and often idolatrous) goals. To counter this, the Residency will seek to implement an eternal perspective on education, in order to let God’s ultimate reality inform and (re)direct our temporal experience.
VIII. MOTIVATED VIRTUOUSLY
Education works toward virtue formation, or, in Christian vernacular, transformation into the image of God’s Son. To that end, we want our residents to not only be acquainted with the True, Good, and Beautiful, but to be changed by the One who is the source of All Truth, Goodness, and Beauty.
IX. ORIENTED VOCATIONALLY
We think good teachers deserve good schools, and vice versa. So, part of the Residency will be helping our residents match well with likeminded schools across the US and the World. We hope to create a portal for Classical Christian schools to connect with our residents and other leaders in our community. Likewise, we will offer practical helps and guidance for each stage of the job search.
X. DRIVEN MISSIONALLY
We think Regents is poised to encourage the development of the broader classical Christian movement. We want to help match the quantitative multiplication of these schools with qualitative discipleship of educators and leaders this growth demands. We know Regents isn’t perfect, but we also know the Lord’s provisions here aren’t ours to possess. But we want to be true to our name. We want to be Regents—those who steward God’s gifts for this educational movement—and more importantly for his glory.
DEVELOPING SPIRITUAL AND PEDAGOGICAL FOUNDATIONS FOR THE FUTURE OF CLASSICAL CHRISTIAN EDUCATION
WHY REGENTS?
We humbly believe that the Lord has been preparing Regents to host a residency program like this. With over 1000 students, it is one of the largest classical Christian schools in the United States. With over 30 years of hard-won experience, Regents is also one of the longest-tenured and most distinguished schools in today’s classical Christian movement.
But as you will find, the real source of Regents’ distinction is her people. On our 82 acres, God has graciously assembled some of the most gifted educational practitioners to serve our students, our community, and now you, our residents.
Here is what that means for our residents:
Our teachers want to invest in you. Our team hopes to leave a legacy beyond their students and classrooms, for you, your future students, and your classrooms. At Regents, training the next generation of educational leaders is a calling and a passion—one we think you will experience firsthand from the moment you step on our campus.
At Regents School of Austin, we believe that education is more than just imparting knowledge; it’s a sacred calling to help transform our students’ attention, affection, and actions. Our classical Christian approach is rooted in the time-honored wisdom of tradition, infused with the transformative power of the Gospel.
This same focus pervades our Residency program. As a resident, you’ll embark on a journey that allows you to explore and experience classical Christian education through the laboratory of Regents. You will rigorous academic study, hands-on classroom experience, and a supportive community of like-minded educators. Together, we’ll explore the rich tapestry of the liberal arts, delve into the great books that have shaped Western civilization, and learn how to cultivate a love for truth, goodness, and beauty in the hearts and minds of our students.
BUILDING A COMMUNITY OF EDUCATORS
Throughout your eight-month journey, you’ll have the opportunity to forge lasting connections with your fellow residents, forming a supportive network that will extend far beyond the walls of our school. This rich sense of shared purpose will not only enrich your experience but also provide a foundation for lifelong friendships and professional collaborations.
WHY AUSTIN?
Regents isn’t just a great school with a great faculty; Regents is a part of a great city, with a great history and a great future.
Austin is celebrated for:
I. LIVE MUSIC CAPITAL OF THE WORLD
Austin is famous for its legendary live music scene, with hundreds of venues hosting performances across various genres. The city offers an unparalleled live music experience.
II. MUSEUMS AND ART GALLERIES
Austin boasts an array of museums and art galleries, including the Blanton Museum of Art and the Contemporary Austin. Other notable museums include the Bullock Texas State History Museum and the LBJ Presidential Library.
III. OUTDOOR EXPERIENCES
Austin’s natural beauty and mild climate make it an ideal destination for those who love life outdoors. Hiking and biking trails like the Lady Bird Lake Hike and Bike Trail, as well as the Barton
Creek Greenbelt and Hamilton Pool Preserve, offer opportunities to discover the city’s natural beauty.
IV. FOOD SCENE
Austin has vibrant culinary scene that ranges from world-class restaurants to food trucks serving up famous local dishes. The city is well-known for its Tex-Mex cuisine and barbecue that people are willing to stand in line for.
V. FESTIVALS AND EVENTS
Austin is home to festivals and events throughout the year that focus on everything from film and technology to music and culture. Some of the most popular events include the Austin City Limits Music Festival, South by Southwest (SXSW), Austin Film Festival, and the Austin Trail of Lights during the holiday season.
As you can see, Austin is not only a place to think about culture, it is a place where culture is made. The Residency is perfectly situated at this cultural crossroad to encourage you to engage your world in real-time, under real pressure. Austin is a city longing for the true, good, and beautiful, which makes this a perfect place for you to learn how to answer this longing with your words and life.
AUSTIN
IS A CITY LONGING FOR THE TRUE,GOOD, AND BEAUTIFUL.
BEYOND THE RESIDENCY
Upon successful completion of the Residency, you’ll be well-equipped to pursue a fulfilling career as an educator in classical Christian schools across the nation. There is a deep need for teachers and leaders in this movement. And we want to do our part to help you be ready to serve as educational leaders and contribute to the ongoing renaissance of classical education.
Some graduates may receive job offers from Regents or our partner schools in the area or another state, providing a seamless transition from residency to full-time teaching. However, the skills and knowledge you’ll acquire during your time with us will prepare you for a wide range of opportunities, from teaching in K-12 schools to pursuing graduate studies or educational administration—or Wherever the Lord is calling you, we want to help you get there.
THE RESIDENCY AIMS TO HELP YOU EXPLORE AND EXPERIENCE CLASSICAL CHRISTIAN EDUCATION IN REAL TIME. AT REGENTS
FIND YOUR PLACE IN THE RESIDENCY AT REGENTS
More than a training program, the Residency at Regents is first and foremost a teacher formation project. Here you will find a transformative experience that will shape you as an educator and a disciple. By immersing yourself in the rich tradition of classical Christian education, you’ll not only gain the skills and knowledge to become an extraordinary teacher but also cultivate a deeper understanding of the human condition and our shared pursuit of truth, goodness, and beauty.
Join us on this incredible journey and become part of a community dedicated to shaping the minds and hearts of future generations. Apply now and take the first step towards embracing your calling as a classical Christian educator.
We are thrilled that you are interested in the Residency at Regents. Our program exists to show how God’s truth, goodness, and beauty transform future classical Christian educators. To do that, we’ve built the Residency around three foundational principles.
First, our program centers on faith formation for teachers. We want to help you deepen your walk with Christ so that you can experience a joy that surpasses understanding and can be passed along in the classroom.
Second, this program is also about pedagogical formation. We set out to equip you with the skills and knowledge necessary to be the educator God has called you to be.
Third, you will be a part of the Regents’ community. Here, you will find like-minded teachers and families unified in their passion to grow the next generation for God’s glory.
We would love for you to join us at the Residency at Regents because we would love to play a role in what the Lord has in store for you.
Feel free to reach out, or better yet, visit us in Austin to see what it would be like to be made ready to be a classical Christian teacher.
We look forward to seeing what the Lord has in store for you.
RYAN LISTER
DIRECTOR, RESIDENCY AT REGENTS
Ryan Lister, Ph.D. Director, Residency at Regents
THE RESIDENCY AT REGENTS EXISTS TO TRANSFORM THE FUTURE OF CLASSICAL CHRISTIAN EDUCATION BY TRANSFORMING FUTURE CLASSICAL CHRISTIAN EDUCATORS.
WILL
