I sat down with Katharine Birbalsingh, the controversial headmistress of Michaela Community School in London, to discuss why discipline, structure, and teaching “what to think” are essential for raising children into successful, independent adults. Clearly defined expectations empower students, particularly those from disadvantaged backgrounds, to thrive both academically and personally. As someone who fondly recalls my more free-range, Gen X upbringing, her views present a welcome challenge to my biases toward freedom and independence. Katharine makes a compelling case for traditional, no-nonsense schooling that prioritizes basic skills, knowledge, and values over educators’ ideologically motivated experiments.
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Outline:
[0:00] What is Michaela Community School?
[9:20] Our culture has forgotten the value of structure
[20:33] Free-range parenting doesn’t fit the inner city
[26:30] Actually, you should teach kids what to think
[39:03] Building habits frees you to pursue higher goals
[50:14] Are education debates really class debates?
[1:03:15] How do you keep school staff on the right track?
[1:20:22] Is traditionalism an actionable solution?
[1:34:42] Am I wrong about the Prussian school model?
[1:47:10] Freedom is not a complete value set
Dad Saves America explores the philosophies and practical steps needed to raise capable, curious, independent adults who are ready to thrive in a virtuous free society... and want to keep it that way.
We’ve had all sorts of experts in the studio, including Jonathan Haidt, Dr. Drew, Michael Shellenberger, Bret Weinstein, Vivek Ramaswamy, and Adam Carolla.
#education #school #discipline