Home - Jan 2023
Head of School Update: Monday, February 24, 2020
Dear JH Classical Academy Parents,
The Latin and English languages acquired the word “mentor” from the literature of ancient Greece. In Homer’s epic The Odyssey, Odysseus was away from home for twenty years fighting and returning from the Trojan War. During that time, his son, Telemachus, who was an infant when his father left for war, grew up under the supervision of Mentor, an old and trusted friend.
When the goddess Athena decided it was time to complete the education of young Telemachus, she visited him disguised as Mentor. They set out to learn about his father and Athena laid out her intent of putting menos into Telemachus. Menos is a Greek word usually translated as “heroic strength” or the surge of power felt in being able to put thoughts into action. Athena gave mental strength to Telemachus and was a positive, guiding influence or “mentor” in his life.
The Latin and English languages acquired the word “mentor” from the literature of ancient Greece. In Homer’s epic The Odyssey, Odysseus was away from home for twenty years fighting and returning from the Trojan War. During that time, his son, Telemachus, who was an infant when his father left for war, grew up under the supervision of Mentor, an old and trusted friend.
When the goddess Athena decided it was time to complete the education of young Telemachus, she visited him disguised as Mentor. They set out to learn about his father and Athena laid out her intent of putting menos into Telemachus. Menos is a Greek word usually translated as “heroic strength” or the surge of power felt in being able to put thoughts into action. Athena gave mental strength to Telemachus and was a positive, guiding influence or “mentor” in his life.
History offers other examples of helpful mentoring relationships: Socrates and Plato, Aristotle and Alexander the Great, Haydn and Beethoven, Freud and Jung, Gandhi and Mandela. Mentoring is a form of human development where one person invests time, energy, and skills toward the growth in ability of another person. The mentor imparts wisdom to and shares knowledge with a less experienced protege to help them reach their destination and destiny.
In the New Testament, the apostle Paul mentored Timothy in leadership. Paul made sure Timothy was the right person for the job, equipped him for his ministerial tasks, and empowered him to be effective in a challenging environment. Paul was never too busy for Timothy. He loved Timothy. He sought to know his family, encourage his work, and refine his gifts. Paul shared areas where Timothy needed improvement. They had a treasured relationship.
I’ve had the richest privilege of having an academic mentor and a spiritual guide on my life journey. Both have a track record of success in their fields and their mentoring benefits me and our organization. Spending time with them over the past week reminded me of the menos or "mental strength" I gain from mentoring relationships. It’s like a recharging of the batteries, or a connecting of the dots, that brings peace and clarity. The longevity of the relationships makes then uniquely qualified to speak with relevancy into my situations.
Through our teaching at JH Classical Academy, we hope to develop mentoring relationships with students that eventually help prepare them to handle the challenges of our ever-changing world. Our mission is to cultivate within students the wisdom and virtue necessary for them to discover their God-given potential. Students love to be heard and known. They need positive influences and the menos or “heroic strength” to make good decisions based on sound principles.
It is a privilege to be a part of your children’s journey. Don't underestimate the impact you can have on someone's life for good!
Mrs. Polly J. Friess
Head of School
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Physical Address:
2500 S. Park Loop Rd.
Jackson, WY 83001
Mailing Address:
P.O. Box 7466
Jackson, WY 83002
2500 S. Park Loop Rd.
Jackson, WY 83001
Mailing Address:
P.O. Box 7466
Jackson, WY 83002
Enrollment Inquiries:
Lisa Landis, Admissions
(307) 201-5040
All Other Inquiries:
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(307) 201-5040
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