WEST MELBOURNE, Fla. More than 200 teachers and school leaders from public and private schools gathered at Pineapple Cove Classical Academy’s West Melbourne campus for a Hillsdale teaching seminar focused on reading, writing and speaking, according to a press release issued Oct. 13.
The one-day event, “The Art of Teaching: Reading, Writing, & Speaking,” was held Oct. 12, according to Hillsdale College’s event listing. College professors and K-12 teachers shared approaches educators could take back to their classrooms.
“Another important aspect of classical education is the focus on building the skills of reading, writing, and speaking in our students so they can think and communicate well in all aspects of their lives,” said Michelle Melian, principal of PCCA West Melbourne.
Melian said the professional development opportunity benefited both Pineapple Cove’s staff and other teachers seeking to refine their work.
Hillsdale teaching seminar covers literacy and rhetoric
The program included Hillsdale College professor Justin Jackson’s presentation, “Why Teach the Language Arts,” and University of Dallas professor Gregory Roper’s “Mastering the Four Arguments.”
Joshua Villarreal, teacher support lead for Hillsdale College K-12 Education, presented “Teaching Students to Read Classical Texts” and “Tried & True Pedagogy.”
Cincinnati Classical Academy teacher Michele DiCristoforo presented “Best Practices in Literacy Instruction.” Fellow teacher Paul Mittermeier discussed “Rhetoric in the Classroom: Grammar School,” while Atlanta Classical Academy teacher Brandon Muri presented “Rhetoric in the Classroom: Upper School.”
Free professional development for teachers
Dr. Kathleen O’Toole, associate vice president for K-12 Education at Hillsdale College, said the Center for Teacher Excellence seminars are offered at no cost and are open to all teachers.
“Throughout the academic year, we bring hundreds of teachers together in cities across America for professional development in the core subjects and tried and true methods of teaching that have stood the test of time,” O’Toole said.
She thanked Pineapple Cove Classical Academy, a Hillsdale College Member School, for hosting the event.
The Hoogland Center for Teacher Excellence has held more than 100 seminars since its inception, with more than 5,300 public, private and homeschool teachers from 44 states participating, according to the release. Information about the seminar series is available through Hillsdale’s Center for Teacher Excellence.
West Melbourne campus prepares for first graduating class
PCCA West Melbourne serves more than 1,000 students in kindergarten through 12th grade and is preparing to celebrate its first graduating class in spring 2027, according to the release.
The school describes its mission as developing students’ minds and character through a classical, content-rich curriculum emphasizing traditional learning, virtuous living and civic responsibility.
Hillsdale’s K-12 Education Office supports public charter and private schools with curriculum, teacher training and assistance for school leaders and boards.
Photos from the seminar
Information provided in a press release from Cowbell Agency. Photos by Austin Thomason/Hillsdale College, supplied with the release.
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