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Salvēte, omnēs !*
“by being so long in the lowest form I gained an immense advantage over the cleverer boys. They all went on to learn Latin and Greek and splendid things like that. But I was taught English. We were considered such dunces that we could learn only English. [. . .] Thus I got into my bones the essential structure of the ordinary British sentence -- which is a noble thing. And when in after years my schoolfellows who had won prizes and distinction for writing such beautiful Latin poetry and pithy Greek epigrams had to come down again to common English, to earn their living or make their way, I did not feel myself at any disadvantage. Naturally I am biased in favour of boys learning English. I would make them all learn English: and then I would let the clever ones learn Latin as an honour, and Greek as a treat. But the only thing I would whip them for would be not knowing English. I would whip them hard for that.”
“by being so long in the lowest form I gained an immense advantage over the cleverer boys. They all went on to learn Latin and Greek and splendid things like that. But I was taught English. We were considered such dunces that we could learn only English. [. . .] Thus I got into my bones the essential structure of the ordinary British sentence -- which is a noble thing. And when in after years my schoolfellows who had won prizes and distinction for writing such beautiful Latin poetry and pithy Greek epigrams had to come down again to common English, to earn their living or make their way, I did not feel myself at any disadvantage. Naturally I am biased in favour of boys learning English. I would make them all learn English: and then I would let the clever ones learn Latin as an honour, and Greek as a treat. But the only thing I would whip them for would be not knowing English. I would whip them hard for that.”
- Winston Churchill, My Early Life: A Roving Commission, 1930, pp. 30-31
- Winston Churchill, My Early Life: A Roving Commission, 1930, pp. 30-31
*Latin for "Hello, everyone!"
Tyler Denton, PhD
Tyler Denton, PhD
Latin | Ascent Classical Academy of Douglas County
ABOUT ME
I was born and raised in East Tennessee, and I still carry a bit of that regional flavor with me, whether an occasional twangy resurgence of my accent or my tendency to view things through a rural lens. I *try* always to stay grounded in the dirt, both metaphorically and actually.
I believe, first and foremost, in the value of hard work both in intellectual and physical pursuits. The first premise for any undertaking, I believe, is being willing to try; the second is perseverence in the face of the inevitable failure that follows. I reinforce these premises with the practical stance of setting attainable goals. Hope can be a wonderful thing, but only if it isn't an empty hope.
I earned my PhD in Classics (ancient Greek and Roman history, literature, culture, and language) in 2019 from the University of Colorado, Boulder. I have an MA from the University of Kentucky, where we learned Latin immersively. And I hold a BA from the University of Tennessee, with concentrations in Latin, Greek, History, and Medieval Studies.
PHILOSOPHY OF EDUCATION
In my time as an instructor at the college level, I had the privilege to teach a considerable number of classes on a wide range of subjects. This experience, combined with my upbringing among highly educated "hillbillies," has given me an eclectic perspective, not only on presenting content but on how to show meaningful interactions across topics and disciplines. For this reason also, I believe that every question deserves a sincere and meaningful response. It may not be the answer that students are seeking, but any question asked in good faith deserves equal or greater attention.
While I rely heavily on the time-honored tradition of lecture combined with Socratic discussion, I appreciate that teaching and learning are ever-expanding. There is always something else to do and something new to learn to improve the classroom experience, both for students and teachers. Teaching is one of the most difficult and exhausting professions, yet I cannot imagine a life without it. Even in the current troubled state of education, I cannot bear the thought of leaving for something easier and more lucrative because, ultimately, it is a question of investing in the future.
GET TO KNOW ME
what is your favorite book?
what is your favorite book?
Virgil's Aeneid
For lighter reading, I enjoy the Harry Potter series, Douglas Adams, and Rex Stout's detective novels about Nero Wolfe.
What do you enjoy outside of school?
What do you enjoy outside of school?
Gardening, yardwork, cooking
What do you Appreciate about ascent?
What do you Appreciate about ascent?
The passionate love of learning
What instrument do you play?
What instrument do you play?
None; music appreciator but not creator
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