Joanna Thornhill

Classical Philologist & Specialist in Immersive Language Pedagogy

Professional Profile

Joanna Thornhill is an expert educator and scholar specializing in the instruction of Ancient Greek and Latin through immersive, active-language methodologies. With a deep foundation in the Western canon and the "Great Books" tradition, she excels in conducting seminar-style discussions and designing comprehensive curricula. Beyond her linguistic mastery, she is an active facilitator of philosophical inquiry, leading advanced study groups on German Idealism and classical thought.

Academic Education

  • B.A. in Liberal Arts – St. John’s College, Santa Fe, NM (2019–2024).

    • Distinctions: Selected Student Panelist on "The Role of ‘The Other’ in Aristotle’s Thought."

    • Service: Student Panelist on academic success and pedagogy at St. John’s College.

Teaching & Pedagogical Experience

Specialized Language Institutes:

  • Ancient Language Institute: Instructor of Ancient Greek and Latin (2023–Present).

    • Conducts immersive online courses where the target languages are the primary medium of instruction.

    • Leads specialized seminars on authors including Plautus, Ovid, Virgil, Sallust, Augustine, Homer, and the Septuagint.

    • Instructional Lead for high-intensity immersion programs: Bible Camp (2023), Homer Camp (2024), and Plato Camp (2025).

  • Argos Didaskei: Lead Instructor (2023–Present).

    • Designed and implemented the curriculum for a 10-day immersive spoken Ancient Greek summer course in Naxos, Greece (2024).

  • Triodos-Trivium: Online Language Instructor (2022–2023).

    • Developed and taught a 2-week in-person immersive Greek program in Athens and Naxos (2023).

Academic Support & Freelance Instruction:

  • St. John’s College: Ancient Greek Assistant (2022).

    • Provided specialized tutoring, organized group review sessions, and designed assessments to monitor student progress.

  • Independent Classical Tutor: (2019–Present).

    • Founder and organizer of the spoken Latin and Ancient Greek clubs at St. John’s College.

Editorial & Philosophical Leadership

  • Hegel Reading Group Organizer: (2023–Present).

    • Organizes and moderates intensive semi-weekly discussions on the works of G.W.F. Hegel, including The Phenomenology of Spirit, Science of Logic, and The Philosophy of Spirit.

  • Contubernales Books: Commissioned Latin Author (2023).

    • Authored the formal Latin introduction for a specialized edition of St. Augustine’s Confessions for this prominent Classics publisher.

Languages

  • Ancient Greek & Latin: Full Professional Fluency (Speaking, Reading, and Composition).

  • Modern Greek: Conversational Proficiency.

  • German: Conversational Proficiency.

  • French: Basic Reading Knowledge.

Core Competencies

  • Immersive Pedagogy: Expert in "Living Latin" and "Living Greek" techniques, conducting entire courses in the target language.

  • Curriculum Design: Proficient in creating original learning resources and comprehensive syllabi for classical literature and philosophy.

  • Socratic Seminar Facilitation: Skilled in leading dialectical discussions on complex foundational texts of the Western tradition.

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