Mathematics Teacher
Dr. Rachel Lott never expected to find herself teaching high school students—but life has a way of leading us to unexpected joys. With a Ph.D. in medieval philosophy from the University of Toronto, along with an M.A. from the same institution and a B.A. in philosophy and literary studies from the University of St. Thomas (MN), her background is deeply rooted in the world of higher education. She spent years as a university instructor, tutorial leader, and academic editor before discovering a new passion: engaging young minds in the wonders of learning.
Since 2021, Rachel has been teaching Algebra, Logic, Latin, Philosophy, and English Composition at the secondary level, and she thrives on the dynamic, interdisciplinary nature of her work. Her classroom is anything but conventional—math is a puzzle to be solved, not a set of rules to be memorized; logic is an adventure through ‘Alice in Wonderland’ and ‘Clue’; and writing is a study of great ideas, classic architecture, and historical documents. Believing that education should nurture the whole person, she infuses her lessons with music, discussion, and curiosity, making learning a truly immersive experience.
Her journey into classical education began unexpectedly during the pandemic when she took on online teaching “as something to do” and discovered that secondary students flourished in the kind of deep, meaningful discussions she had long cherished. At Aletheia, she continues to cultivate an environment where students wrestle with big ideas, explore the beauty of language and logic, and learn to think deeply about the world around them.
Outside the classroom, Rachel enjoys experimenting with programming and dreams of a side gig as a web developer. Her love of language, puzzles, and analysis extends beyond teaching into the digital realm, where she delights in crafting and solving problems in new ways.
And then, of course, there are dragons. A frequent theme in her Latin and logic classes, these mythic creatures remind her of one of her favorite verses:
“Praise the Lord from the earth, ye dragons and all deeps!” (Psalm 148:7)
Whether translated as sea creatures, monsters, or even whalefishes (an old English rendering she heartily approves of), the verse is a reminder that even the most fearsome creatures are part of God’s creation. It’s a fitting reflection of her approach to learning—embracing the challenge, seeking wisdom, and finding wonder in every corner of knowledge.
