The Arts of Language Podcast · IEW (Andrew Pudewa)

Episode 497: Writing and Classical Education with Donahue Academy

October 1, 2025

The episode begins with a clip from Deacon Watson describing how IEW was the majority recommendation on a resource list from the Institute for Catholic Liberal Education. Hosts Andrew Pudewa and Julie Walker introduce the podcast's goal to equip teachers and parents with writing methods. They address the myth that IEW is only for homeschoolers, noting its origins in Canadian schools and its fastest-growing area now being the schools department. The guests, Dr. Snyder and Deacon Edward Watson, introduce themselves: Dr. Snyder is principal of Donahue Academy with 10 years of association, previously founding headmaster of True North Classical Academy where he first used IEW in 2015. Deacon Watson is assistant principal for curriculum and instruction, previously helping transition a school in Ohio to classical education. The hosts ask about the explosion of classical education in Florida, with three classical schools in the Naples/Fort Myers area and more schools in the Diocese of Venice becoming classical. Dr. Snyder explains the philosophical appeal of classical education, contrasting it with modern progressive education by focusing on reality from the outside, great books, and learning as an end in itself. The guests detail how they discovered IEW: Dr. Snyder brought it to True North in 2015, and Deacon Watson found it recommended by the Institute for Catholic Liberal Education when seeking practical writing solutions. They discuss implementation, using IEW's Structure and Style for Students in grades 6-8 and thematic units in grades 3-8, along with teacher training via videos and on-site sessions. The conversation covers outcomes, with high school students well-prepared for writing and public speaking, and anecdotal evidence from Dr. Snyder's daughter excelling in college writing. Deacon Watson describes classroom use, including Fix-It Grammar for editing and keyword outlines diffusing into note-taking across subjects. The hosts ask for feedback on how IEW could improve, with guests suggesting more targeted teacher training for younger grades and better awareness of IEW's full offerings like memory work and poetry. The episode concludes with hosts encouraging listeners to connect with IEW consultants via IEWSchools.com and sharing that school materials are included with homeschool orders.

As heard by us

A grounded look at how IEW moved from homeschool shorthand to classroom use.

This episode lands in the space where classroom practice meets formation. A Catholic liberal education group points schools toward IEW, and the move beyond the old homeschool-only label comes through clearly.

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Why you'd press play

See how a classical school adopted a writing curriculum and trained its teachers.

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