Looking for Places to Volunteer?
We are currently looking for volunteers to fill slots at the following locations (NB these times and dates are ranges; please contact us for more information):
New York City
- Bay Academy for Arts and Sciences (Brookyln, NY): [Starting September] 5 days a week, 2-5pm
- P.S. 21 Margaret P. Emery Elm Park School (Staten Island, NY): Mondays/Tuesdays 2:30pm - 4:30pm
- I.S. 303 Herbert S. Eisenberg (Brooklyn, NY): Wednesdays/Thursdays 2:30 - 3:30pm
- P.S. 12 Dr. Jacqueline Peek-Davis School (Brooklyn, NY): Wednesdays at 4pm
- P.S. 53 The Basheer Quisim School (Bronx, NY): Thursdays at 2:30pm
Philadelphia
- John Hancock Demonstration Schools (Northeast Philadelphia): Starting October 2024
We welcome volunteers from the Philadelphia area to apply for opportunities arising in the next few months.
Don't see your city on the list? We can help you set up a Teaching Literacy with Latin site in your hometown: see here to get started!
Up to date as of 08/22/24
Roman Holiday | Discover the Eternal City | July 1-5, 2024
An Art Tour of Rome for the Classically Curious
The Paideia Institute invites you to join us for a one-week art historical tour of Rome in July of 2024. This curated experience will give you the opportunity to travel through the timeline of the Eternal City's major art movements, with an emphasis on the dialogue between ancient and modern that defines the city's visual landscape. Connect with the Classics and discover Rome's timeless beauty through juxtapositions of classical archaeology, Mannerist and Baroque art, 20th century Modernism, and contemporary responses to the city's rich artistic tradition.
Each guided activity is led by the Paideia Institute's expert docents and paired with a meal at some of Rome's most sought-after restaurants and enoteche. Savor delicious food, exquisite wine, and excellent conversation!
Itinerary
Monday, July 1: Baroque Walking Tour
A stroll through the architectural gems of Rome's Baroque era. Learn about why this historical period produced such a dramatic artistic vocabulary, full of surprising and theatrical illusory visual effects. Highlights will include Bernini's Fontana del Tritone, the Ecstasy of St. Teresa sculpture group at Santa Maria della Vittoria, Borromini's undulating architectural masterpiece at San Carlino alle Quattro Fontane, and, of course, the Trevi Fountain.
Lunch at: Marzapane, Via Flaminia 64.
Borromini's oval dome at San Carlino alle Quattro Fontane.
Tuesday, July 2: Mannerist Day Trip
An unforgettable day trip to two enchanting sculpture gardens an hour north of Rome. Discover the fantastical and grotesque stone creatures of the Sacro Bosco ("sacred grove") of Bomarzo, which Renaissance duke Vicino Orsini commissioned to cope with the loss of his wife, Giulia Farnese. After lunch, explore the Tarot Garden: 20th century artist Niki de Saint Phalle's dazzling sculptural interpretation of the oracular tarot card deck. Witness a magical artistic dialogue between past and present!
Lunch at: Dieci Sedie, Largo Della Neve 2, Tuscania.
The High Priestess fountain at the entrance to Niki de Saint Phalle's Tarot Garden.
Wednesday, July 3: Art Patronage and Villeggiatura at Galleria Borghese
A guided tour of the Borghese family’s distinguished art collection, begun by Cardinal Scipione Borghese in the early 1600s. Come face to face with some of the most renowned gems of Baroque painting and sculpture (rife with Classical imagery!), such as Bernini’s Apollo and Daphne, Caravaggio’s Boy with a Basket of Fruit, and Titian’s Sacred and Profane Love. Afterwards, take a leisurely stroll through the Villa Borghese’s sprawling park.
Lunch at: Ai Fienaroli, Via Piemonte 125.
Bernini's Apollo and Daphne.
Thursday, July 4: A Critical Lense on Authoritarian Architecture
A walking tour of Rome's Fascist-era EUR ("Universal Expo Rome") district, including the monumental Palazzo della Civiltà Italiana. Learn about the massive urban planning project inaugurated by Mussolini in the 1930s that was intended to be the site of the 1942 World's Fair, and how the architectural motifs of imperial Rome influenced the authoritarian aesthetics of the Fascist built environment.
Lunch at: Retrobottega, Via della Stelletta 4.
The Palazzo della Civiltà Italiana, also know as the "square Colosseum".
Friday, July 5: Industry and Archaeology in Testaccio
A guided tour of the Centrale Montemartini museum in the neighborhood of Testaccio. Explore the striking juxtaposition between ancient Roman artifacts and the industrial machinery of the decommissioned power plant, which has housed part of the Capitoline Museums' collection since 1997. The neighborhood's foremost example of urban transformation and renewal, the museum represents the unique proximity of ancient and contemporary archaeologies that interface throughout the city.
Lunch at: BAUHAUS ROME, Piazza Eugenio Biffi 3.
Classical and industrial archaeology on display side by side at the former thermal power plant.
Who can join Roman Holiday?
Please note that there are no linguistic or academic prerequisites to attend Roman Holiday. Though we welcome participants who have a background in the Classical languages and humanities, all programming will be in English and will be accessible to a non-specialist audience.
Paideia’s Roman Holiday takes place during the first week of Living Latin in Rome High School so that parents whose children are attending the high school program can explore the city and get a taste of the immersive Classical experiences that we offer our students. The Roman Holiday itinerary includes some of the sites that our students visit during Living Latin in Rome, but please note that all Roman Holiday programming takes place separately from the high school group’s schedule.
We also welcome participants who are not connected to our other programs and just want to enjoy an enriching summer holiday in Rome!
Registration
The cost to attend Roman Holiday is $150 per day, which covers our guides, site entrance fees, one group meal per day, and a chartered bus for the day trip to Bomarzo and Capalbio. Participants are welcome to register à la carte for the days they wish to attend, or join for the whole week for the reduced cost of $700.
Please register for Roman Holiday no later than May 1st, 2024, using the form below.
If you have any questions or require special accommodations during any meals or site visits, please reach out to us at [email protected].
About the Paideia Institute
The Paideia Institute is a leading nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting the study of the classical humanities. The Institute was founded in 2010 by former students of the Vatican Latinist Fr. Reginald Foster, who taught generations of Latin students to love the Latin language and the city of Rome. Since then, we have pursued that mission through travel programs, outreach to expand access to the classics, publications, curriculum development, and digital language learning.
Each year we organize and operate over 50 educational travel experiences in Italy and Greece for school groups and adult learners, bringing the study and appreciation of the classical humanities to more than 1,000 students from all age groups. Our tour leaders–Classicists, linguists, archaeologists, and art historians–are experts in their academic fields with decades of rigorous preparation and experience. Our Rome-based staff members bring a depth and breadth of local knowledge about the city to our tours.
Aequora at Eaglebrook
About Our Site and Aequora
Our Aequora site is located at The Eaglebrook School in Deerfield, Massachusetts. It is a school that provides many after-school programs and opportunities to its students, now including Latin.
Aequora is a K-8 program focused on literacy via Latin. At Eaglebrook, we have chosen Aequora because we believe in the benefits of a classical education. Through The Paideia Institute’s Aequora curriculum, our volunteers harness the classical languages’ power to improve literacy, cultural understanding, and equity in education — all while making the ancient Mediterranean world fun and accessible to students of all backgrounds.
Led by independent site coordinators, Aequora envisions Classics as an inclusive, diverse, and socially engaged field. Our textbook, Aequora: Teaching Literacy with Latin, introduces the basics of Latin vocabulary and grammar, Roman culture and mythology, and connections between Latin, English, and Spanish, all through games and activities designed to show students that learning Latin is fun!
How We Teach Aequora
Through Aequora, we work to enhance students’ interest in the ancient world, as many students at Eaglebrook currently study Latin. Along with exploring vocabulary and syntax, the students often seek historical context and mythological stories to fuel their curiosity for the
The Aequora program is sustained by enthusiastic volunteers all over the country who care about making a difference and want to fight educational inequality through sharing their love of Latin.
Photos
Coming soon!
Site Coordinators
Our site coordinators, Tessa Bracken and Taryn Boonpongmanee, are students at Deerfield Academy.
##INSTRUCTORS##
Aequora at M.S. 45
About Our Site and Aequora
Our Aequora site is located at MS 45 in The Bronx, NY. It is a school that provides many after-school programs and opportunities to its students, now including Latin.
Aequora is a K-8 program focused on literacy via Latin. At MS 45, we have chosen Aequora because we believe in the benefits of a classical education. Through The Paideia Institute’s Aequora curriculum, our volunteers harness the classical languages’ power to improve literacy, cultural understanding, and equity in education — all while making the ancient Mediterranean world fun and accessible to students of all backgrounds.
Led by independent site coordinators, Aequora envisions Classics as an inclusive, diverse, and socially engaged field. Our textbook, Aequora: Teaching Literacy with Latin, introduces the basics of Latin vocabulary and grammar, Roman culture and mythology, and connections between Latin, English, and Spanish, all through games and activities designed to show students that learning Latin is fun!
How We Teach Aequora
Our site is run every two weeks from 11:00 to 12:00. Our students range from 5th to 8th graders, and no prior experience with Latin is needed! We instruct on Latin vocabulary, engage in conversations about Roman and Greek mythology, and play various games. These activities not only enhance our understanding of the classical tradition but also foster an immersive and dynamic learning experience. At MS 45, we hope to create an environment that fosters a genuine excitement for learning.
The Aequora program is sustained by enthusiastic volunteers all over the country who care about making a difference and want to fight educational inequality through sharing their love of Latin.
Photos
Site Coordinators
Our site coordinators are Nina Zeltser, a student at Hackley School in Tarrytown, NY and Owen O'Toole, a student at Regis High School, in New York City.
##INSTRUCTORS##
Aequora at P.S. 133
About Our Site and Aequora
Our Aequora site is located at P.S. 133 Fred R Moore in New York City. It is a New York City public school that provides many after-school programs and opportunities to its students, now including Latin.
Aequora is a K-8 program focused on literacy via Latin. At P.S. 133 Fred R Moore, we have chosen Aequora because we believe in the benefits of a classical education. Through The Paideia Institute’s Aequora curriculum, our volunteers harness the classical languages’ power to improve literacy, cultural understanding, and equity in education — all while making the ancient Mediterranean world fun and accessible to students of all backgrounds.
Led by independent site coordinators, Aequora envisions Classics as an inclusive, diverse, and socially engaged field. Our textbook, Aequora: Teaching Literacy with Latin, introduces the basics of Latin vocabulary and grammar, Roman culture and mythology, and connections between Latin, English, and Spanish, all through games and activities designed to show students that learning Latin is fun!
How We Teach Aequora
At the P.S. 133 Fred R Moore AEQUORA site, there are currently two high school volunteers, with prospects for additional volunteers. The program occurs every Friday afternoon from 3:00-4:30, alternating on a biweekly basis with a younger group of kindergarteners, 1st graders, and 2nd graders, and an older group of 3rd graders, 4th graders, and 5th graders. Each group session is roughly half an hour long.
Each session is characterized by an introduction with phrases such as “Mihi nomen est…”, “Ago bene/male”, “Salve”, and “Vale”. A followup game or activity, such as “Caesar dicit,” further immerses the students in their vocabulary. Afterwards, printed packets, excerpts from Aequora: Teaching Literacy with Latin, are distributed for older scholars, while powerpoint picture presentations are primarily used for younger scholars. The session culminates with a resounding “Vale”.
Photos
Coming soon!
Site Coordinators
##INSTRUCTORS##
Aequora at the Butterfield Memorial Library
ABOUT OUR SITE AND AEQUORA
Our Aequora site is located at the Butterfield Memorial Library in Cold Spring, NY. It is a Library that provides many after-school programs and opportunities to its students, now including Latin.
Aequora is a K-8 program focused on literacy via Latin. At Butterfield Memorial Library, we have chosen Aequora because we believe in the benefits of a classical education. Through The Paideia Institute’s Aequora curriculum, our volunteers harness the classical languages’ power to improve literacy, cultural understanding, and equity in education — all while making the ancient Mediterranean world fun and accessible to students of all backgrounds.
Led by independent site coordinators, Aequora envisions Classics as an inclusive, diverse, and socially engaged field. Our textbook, Aequora: Teaching Literacy with Latin, introduces the basics of Latin vocabulary and grammar, Roman culture and mythology, and connections between Latin, English, and Spanish, all through games and activities designed to show students that learning Latin is fun!
HOW WE TEACH AEQUORA
Our program is held twice a month on Saturdays from 2:00 to 3:00pm. Our students range from 4th to 7th graders, and no prior experience with Latin is needed! We instruct on Latin vocabulary, engage in conversations about Roman and Greek mythology, and play various games. These activities not only enhance our understanding of the classical tradition but also foster an immersive and dynamic learning experience. The Aequora program is sustained by enthusiastic volunteers all over the country who care about making a difference and want to fight educational inequality through sharing their love of Latin. We are always looking for new volunteers!
PHOTOS
SITE COORDINATORS
Our site coordinator, Nina Zeltser, is a student at Hackley School.
##INSTRUCTORS##
Aequora at PS 75
About Our Site and Aequora
Our Aequora site is located at PS 75 School of Research and Discovery in the Bronx, NY. It is an elementary school that provides many after-school programs and opportunities to its students, now including Latin.
Aequora is a K-8 program focused on literacy via Latin. At PS 75, we have chosen Aequora because we believe in the benefits of a classical education. Through The Paideia Institute’s Aequora curriculum, our volunteers harness the classical languages’ power to improve literacy, cultural understanding, and equity in education — all while making the ancient Mediterranean world fun and accessible to students of all backgrounds.
Led by independent site coordinators, Aequora envisions Classics as an inclusive, diverse, and socially engaged field. Our textbook, Aequora: Teaching Literacy with Latin, introduces the basics of Latin vocabulary and grammar, Roman culture and mythology, and connections between Latin, English, and Spanish, all through games and activities designed to show students that learning Latin is fun!
How We Teach Aequora
Our program is held on Tuesdays from 4:00-5:00 PM. We currently have one volunteer who attends The Dalton School and takes Latin while pursuing independent study in Ancient Greek. We are trying to make Latin accessible and fun! The Aequora program is sustained by enthusiastic volunteers all over the country who care about making a difference and want to fight educational inequality through sharing their love of Latin.
Photos
Site Coordinators
Our site coordinator, Patrick Liu, is a student at the Dalton School.
##INSTRUCTORS##
Aequora at Our Lady Queen of Angels
About Our Site and Aequora
Our Aequora site is located at Our Lady Queen of Angels School in New York, New York. It is a school that provides after-school programs and opportunities to its students, now including Latin.
Aequora is a K-8 program focused on literacy via Latin. At Our Lady Queen of Angels School, we have chosen Aequora because we believe in the benefits of a classical education. Through The Paideia Institute’s Aequora curriculum, our volunteers harness the classical languages’ power to improve literacy, cultural understanding, and equity in education — all while making the ancient Mediterranean world fun and accessible to students of all backgrounds.
Led by independent site coordinators, Aequora envisions Classics as an inclusive, diverse, and socially engaged field. Our textbook, Aequora: Teaching Literacy with Latin, introduces the basics of Latin vocabulary and grammar, Roman culture and mythology, and connections between Latin, English, and Spanish, all through games and activities designed to show students that learning Latin is fun!
How We Teach Aequora
Our program is held on Thursdays from 4:15-5:15. We currently have six volunteers, all of whom are high school students at Convent of the Sacred Heart taking Latin! The Aequora program is sustained by enthusiastic volunteers all over the country who care about making a difference and want to fight educational inequality through sharing their love of Latin. We are always looking for new volunteers!
Photos
Site Coordinators
Our site coordinators, Grace Bost, Beatrice Johnson, and Sophia Thompson, are students at Convent of the Sacred Heart.
##INSTRUCTORS##