Stop Blaming the Textbook: Lessons from a Photography Class with Leigh Bortins
What do charging elephants and frustrated homeschool parents have in common? More than you might think. In this engaging episode of Everyday Educator, Classical Conversations founder Leigh Bortins shares her recent adventure taking a photography course in Botswana with her husband. What started as a vacation quickly became a masterclass in learning dynamics when Leigh realized she naturally learns classically—even when her instructor doesn’t teach that way. Through five days of “butting heads” with her teacher while capturing stunning wildlife photos, Leigh discovered profound insights about perseverance, community learning, and why the perfect classroom setup still leads to conflict. This episode offers encouragement for homeschool parents who struggle with difficult learning days, showing that even adult learners face challenges and that giving up is often the default human response. Leigh also introduces the new MathMap Monomials program for Challenge B students.
Key Discussion Points: • Why even “perfect” learning conditions still involve struggle and conflict • How community support prevents students from giving up • Why it’s the student’s responsibility to learn, not the teacher’s to educate • The importance of tailoring instruction to different learning styles • How cross-training and “breaking things” are essential parts of learning • Why parents often become the biggest obstacles to their children’s learning
This episode of Everyday Educator is sponsored by The Math Map: Monomials
The Math Map Monomials helps families practice introductory algebraic computation together using classical skills that prepare students for the mathematical conversation of the ages. Visit https://classicalconversations.com/the-math-map/ today to transform your family’s math experience!
