Goodness: Virtue and the Flourishing of the Human Soul
Special Guest: Andrew Pudewa
July 18-19, 2025 • Middleborough, MA
Please reach out to necce@theclassicalconsortium.com with any questions.
What does it mean to "be good"? What do we hope for our students to be when they leave our schools and homes? What is the measure of success as an educator, or as a human being?
"He has shown you, O man, what is good. And what does the LORD require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God." Micah 6:8
Entering into the great conversation of Western Culture prepares us to see God's providence at work, as He causes His mercy to "droppeth as the gentle rain from heaven" on the just and the unjust alike. Entering into the presence of great events and great minds creates a sense of perspective and the consequences of injustice. And learning of our place in God's creation and our community through the Scriptures teaches us what we are 'for' and thus what is good.
At this year's conference, the Consortium will explore how Goodness is the fruit of a soul that has been well cultivated through a classical, Christian education.
“In order to teach well, we ourselves must experience good teaching and the friendship of fellow learners. The NECCE Conference is a “must-go“ for those who seek to teach classically in New England. Each summer, I am refreshed as excellent teachers demonstrate the wonder of God--exploring Truth, Goodness and Beauty. This year’s conference with Andrew Pudewa will be a special treat, and the perfect way to introduce classical education to our New England friends and neighbors.”
— Mat S.
Conference Schedule
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1:00 p.m. | Welcome and Intro
1:15-2:05 p.m. | Keynote 1: Timothy Knotts
2:15-3:00 p.m. | Breakout 1
Andrew Pudewa “Mastery Learning, Ability Development, and Individualized Education”
Heatherly Sylvia “Creating a Classical Family Culture: Mentoring and Discipleship” *
Dr. Scott Postma “The Habit of Reading and the Ancient Art of Tsundoku”
Sarah Abbott “Restoring Harmony to the Soul of the Student”
Alexandra Gonzalez “The Greats”
Ron Jung – Christian Halls International- “Competent to Know”
3:20-4:20 p.m. | Breakout 2: 6 options
Andrew Pudewa “Full, Ready, and Exact: How to Train a Better Thinker”
Heatherly Sylvia “7 Steps to a More Classical Lifestyle” *
Jenifer Devereux “Pursuing Goodness through Latin Study: Tips for Becoming a Latin Scholar”
Dr. Scott Postma “Three Stages of School’s Life: Development and Growth, Stability and Maturity, and Decline and Transition” (designed for school leaders)
Timothy Knotts “Science – Liberal Knowledge”
Tamara Somerville – Classical Conversations- “Classical Outside the Classroom”
* indicates a repeated session4:15-5 p.m. | Poetic Knowledge Panel and Closing Remarks: Sarah Abbott
6:00 p.m. | Dinner
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9:00-9:10 a.m. | Welcome: Heatherly Sylvia
9:10-10 a.m. | Keynote 2: Andrew Pudewa
10-10:10 a.m. | Sponsor Statements and Giveaways: Heatherly Sylvia
10:40-11:10 a.m. | Consortium Address with Q&A: Tim Knotts
11:10-12 p.m. | Keynote 3: Sarah Abbott
12-1 p.m. | Lunch
1-1:45 p.m. | Breakout 3
Heatherly Sylvia “Creating a Classical Family Culture: Mentoring and Discipleship” *
Andrew Pudewa “Full, Ready, and Exact: How to Train a Better Thinker”
Jenifer Devereux “Inspiring Goodness through Latin Teaching: Preparing a mimetic lesson for grammar-based Latin curricula”
Alexandra Gonzalez “An Image of Goodness”
Timothy Knotts “Music and the Moral Imagination” *
Benjamin Kennedy - Geneva College- “Intentional Living: Developing a Moral Liturgy”
2-2:45 p.m. | Breakout 4
Stephanie Wilbur “Good Enchantment: Introducing Poetry to Children” *Alexandra Gonzalez “The Greats”
Dr. Scott Postma “Education, Culture, and Human Flourishing: Recovering Christian Humanism for a Post-Christian Culture”
Sarah Abbott “Happily Ever After?”
Timothy Knotts “Science – Liberal Knowledge”
Sharon Carlson – Gordon College- “The Best Next Step”
3:15-4 p.m. | Keynote 4: Andrew Pudewa
* indicates a repeated session
4:00 p.m. | Closing: NECCE Team