Assistant Professor of Education, Hillsdale College
Biography:
Dr. David Diener serves as an Assistant Professor of Education at Hillsdale College. With over fifteen years of experience in K-12 private education—including eleven years in administration and eight as headmaster of classical Christian schools—he brings extensive expertise in classical education leadership.
Dr. Diener is actively involved in several educational organizations. He serves on the Board of Directors for the Society for Classical Learning and the Board of Academic Advisors for the Classic Learning Test. Additionally, he is the Executive Director of the Alcuin Fellowship and a member of the National Council of Classical Educators. His work includes providing consulting services and teacher training for classical schools nationwide.
As an accomplished author, Dr. Diener wrote Plato: The Great Philosopher-Educator and has published articles on Plato, Kierkegaard, and various topics in the philosophy of education. He is the series editor for Classical Academic Press’ Giants in the History of Education and serves as an associate editor for Principia: A Journal of Classical Education.
Dr. Diener holds a BA in Philosophy and Ancient Languages from Wheaton College, along with an MA in Philosophy, an MS in History and Philosophy of Education, and a dual PhD in Philosophy and Philosophy of Education from Indiana University.
Recommended Reading on Classical Education:
“My recommendation depends on the reader’s background in classical education. Book VII of Plato’s Republic*, Jacques Maritain’s* Education at the Crossroads*, and C.S. Lewis’s* The Abolition of Man* are excellent, concise options.”
Books That Shaped My Moral Imagination:
“The Bible and Victor Hugo’s Les Misérables* have profoundly influenced me. The Bible’s formative role in both my personal life and classical education is unmatched. In* Les Misérables*, themes of love, sacrifice, mercy, justice, and redemption offer deep insights into the human condition and the pursuit of a virtuous life.”
A Favorite Quote:
“I call ‘education’ the initial acquisition of virtue by the child, when the feelings of pleasure and affection, pain and hatred, that well up in his soul are channeled in the right courses before he can understand the reason why… Call this ‘education,’ and I, at any rate, think you would be giving it its proper name.”
— Plato, Laws 653b1-c4
Advice for New Classical School Leaders:
*”Surround yourself with seasoned leaders for advice and support. Leadership can be challenging and isolating, so having a network of trusted colleagues is invaluable.”
Advice for Aspiring Classical School Teachers:
*”Don’t quit after your first year. Teaching in a classical school is deeply rewarding but also demanding. The first year is always tough, even for naturally gifted educators. It typically takes a couple of years to find your stride—hang in there.”
Hobbies & Interests:
Dr. Diener enjoys reading, woodworking, playing music, outdoor activities, hunting, exercise and sports, electrical engineering, and spending quality time with his wife and four children.
Contact Information:
- Primary Website: hillsdale.edu
- Secondary Website: alcuinfellowship.com
- Email: ddiener@hillsdale.edu
No personal social media accounts available (thank heavens!).
