What is Paideia?
Our annual parent Co-Teacher Training Conference is called Paideia after an important New Testament Greek word found in Ephesians 6:4: “Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.” The word discipline is an attempt to translate paideia, a word that is much broader and engaging for both parent and child than simply discipline, it conveys the concept of a child’s total education: intellectual, spiritual, artistic, social. It is essentially the part of upbringing and education that forms the soul of a human being — and it is key to the formation of a culture. More complete definition of Paideia…
Paideia is often seen in its fruit, what is being developed in the person as he/she moves from child to adult. The paideia of Athens was very different from the paideia of Sparta. Thinkers and warriors are developed in two drastically different paideias.
This training conference is designed to help you raise up your children in the paideia and training of the Lord. These few days are the beginning of a great work that we are all engaged in together. It is the highlight of a network of support at Veritas that can help you and your spouse become all that God has designed you to be as the primary discipler and educator of your children. We are excited to labor alongside you. The Paideia Team

Christopher Barnes
Family Ministry Director
Veritas Academy TucsonWho should attend?
Paideia is intended for all parents, both new and returning! Students should stay at home unless participating in the Paideia Day Camp (more info below). Please take note of the blue bolded events as these are mandatory. Your child’s grade level specific training session is also mandatory.
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Our book club selection for Paideia 2025 is Consider the Lilies, by Johny Ardavanis. Many of us and our children deal with worry, anxiety, and fear daily. Come discuss with us how the Bible guides us through these emotions. Even if you don’t struggle with these issues, you probably know a friend or family member who does. This book will direct you to scripture and what it declares about the amazing character of the God we worship, to help you and others walk through life in a Godly, Biblical way. In his own words, the author describes his book: “In my first book, Consider the Lilies, I invite you to find freedom from anxiety by focusing on the character of our heavenly Father. As a pastor, I’ve seen how God consistently responds to our fears and worries by revealing His own nature. I’ll guide you through biblical insights that illuminate the root causes of anxiety and how our physical and spiritual lives intertwine. This book is for anyone longing to break free from fear and truly know the God we’re called to trust. If you’re desperate for hope and peace, join me in considering the character of our Father, who welcomes all of us who struggle with anxiety to find rest in Him.” Sometime this summer, we will send questions to foster thought and guide our book club discussion.
Keynote Speakers – Nathanael Buus & Dave Collins
Talk Descriptions
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Paideia Day Camp
- A great day is being planned for all K-6 students while parents are engaged in training!
- The day camp will meet at Veritas, centering their activities in the gym and nearby classrooms.
- The days will be full of interactive team building games, House competitions, crafts, songs, and much more.
- This will be a fundraiser for our School of Rhetoric students (juniors and seniors) for their senior trip.
- The cost will be $33 each for the first two children, with a 25% discount for child three and 50% for child four, etc. in order to support the respective senior trips.
- Children will need to bring their own lunch. Further details will be provided upon registration.
Please RSVP your students for the Paideia Day Camp.
Meals
Please let us know what meals you plan to attend and make sure to designate if you want gluten free meals. Thanks!