Faculty Spotlight: Dr. Berger – Latin Teacher Inspiring Curiosity and Critical Thinking
For 16 years, Dr. Berger has inspired students at The Sage School through engaging, rigorous Latin instruction. As the Latin teacher for Grades 6–8 and co-chair of the Language Department, he combines strong academics with a thoughtful, student-centered approach that reflects Sage’s commitment to advanced learning.
“What’s magical,” Dr. Berger shares, “is helping students connect with voices from the distant past — people whose thoughts and feelings were just as real as ours.” Through Latin and classical studies, students build critical thinking skills while exploring history, philosophy, and human connection.
That learning often comes to life in dynamic ways. During LEAP Week, Dr. Berger’s students have read excerpts from Plato’s Republic, including the Allegory of the Cave, and brought it to life through performance. Acting out scenes—like one student dramatically portraying the sun—helps students engage with complex ideas and make meaningful connections to the ancient world.
Dr. Berger’s teaching style emphasizes both challenge and support. He creates a classroom environment grounded in respect, curiosity, and playfulness, while also offering additional help to ensure every student feels confident. For students who need extra support, he provides individualized time outside of class, helping them build skills and fully engage with the curriculum.
His approach is influenced by the philosophies of Socrates and Thoreau. Inspired by Socrates, Dr. Berger emphasizes intellectual humility—the idea that true learning begins with recognizing how much we do not know. By modeling curiosity, openness, and a willingness to question, he encourages students to think critically and engage more deeply with ideas. For Dr. Berger, this mindset is one of the most important takeaways from his class: the ability to listen, reflect, and remain open to new perspectives.
He also highlights the work of Thoreau as an example of how classical study shapes strong thinking and writing. Thoreau’s deep grounding in Latin and Greek informed his development as a powerful prose writer, reinforcing the value of studying classical languages. In Dr. Berger’s classroom, this connection helps students see how Latin can strengthen their ability to communicate clearly and effectively in English, while also encouraging thoughtful observation of the world around them.
Beyond the classroom, Dr. Berger has contributed to initiatives that reflect Sage’s values in action. During the first year of the pandemic, he joined colleagues in funding a solar tracker, launching the Sage Sunflower Fund, and supporting student-driven environmental efforts.
Each class ends with a lasting message: “Vita est servanda” — “Life must be saved.” This phrase reinforces themes of responsibility, awareness, and care for the world—values that extend beyond academics.
Dr. Berger’s passion for teaching began with his own inspiring educators, his mother, and early experiences teaching at a music camp. Today, he continues to bring that same dedication to his students at Sage.
At The Sage School, Dr. Berger exemplifies the power of advanced academics paired with meaningful relationships. Students leave his classroom not only with a foundation in Latin but with stronger critical thinking skills, confidence, and a deeper understanding of the world around them.