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\u201cThere\u2019s discipline, which is really discipleship over a long period of time,\u201d Heaton explained. \u201cIt\u2019s long obedience in one direction and the care and keeping of a child\u2019s whole person and dignity intact, even when you have to correct them.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Heaton\u2019s educational philosophy is deeply rooted in his own experiences. Raised by a single mother in the 1960s, he attended a small Christian school that, despite its flaws, left an indelible mark on him. Early exposure to rigorous memorization and good literature laid the foundation for his current approach.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
At New Covenant, Heaton emphasizes the importance of shaping students\u2019 desires. This formation happens through what Heaton calls \u201csmall liturgies\u201d \u2014 daily habits and routines that create deep impressions on students\u2019 souls over time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
He acknowledges that the fruits of this approach aren\u2019t always immediately apparent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI think that the fruit of what we\u2019re doing isn\u2019t always evident in the moment, but it comes much later down the road,\u201d he reflected.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
It\u2019s often years later, sometimes not until college or beyond, that students fully realize how their education has shaped them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
As Heaton nears three decades at New Covenant, he sees the fruits of this pastoral approach in the lives of his students, some of whom are now sending their own children to the school. This continuity bears witness to the enduring value of an education that nurtures both mind and spirit, preparing students not just to make a living but to live well and pursue wisdom throughout their lives. GN<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n For more information, visit newcovenantschools.org.<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" IN THE halls of New Covenant Schools in Lynchburg, Virginia, the Rev. John Heaton moves with the measured pace of a man accustomed to both pulpit and classroom. For 27 years, he has served as headmaster, blending his background as a parish priest with his passion for classical Christian education. \u201cBeing a parish priest is […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":23032,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_et_pb_use_builder":"","_et_pb_old_content":"","_et_gb_content_width":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[6],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-23028","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-feature"],"yoast_head":"\n