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Classics in Full Color
about us
Cooney Classics exists to promote the teaching of the classics, including literature, history, mythology, and ancient languages like Latin and Greek. We do this by creating and sharing blogs, courses, articles and teaching resources which are free to all!
Ethos
FOUNDERS
Colin Cooney is an Ex-post facto co-founder of Cooney Classics. Colin joins the team six years after its inception (Latin translation of Ex-post facto is ‘after the fact’ ), but his work and contributions are critical to the site’s ongoing mission. Colin is currently a Freshman at Chaminade High School in Mineola, NY. He has studied Latin since seventh grade, is passionate about the Classics, golf, and is an avid artist.
Kate Cooney is a first year at the University of Virginia. She has studied Latin and classical culture since seventh grade and graduated with highest honors from Kellenberg Memorial High School in Uniondale, NY in 2024. Kate is interested in the representation of women in the classics, and how that representation continues to influence our culture and literature today. Kate is continuing her study of Latin at UVA along with Chemistry on a pre-dental track.
James Cooney is a third year at the University of Virginia. James graduated from Chaminade High School in 2022. He studied Latin throughout middle school, high school, and is currently a student in The McIntire School of Commerce pursuing a minor in Latin. James is passionate about the Classics, soccer, family, and faith. He taught Latin and Classics to middle school students at St. Martin de Porres in Uniondale, NY through the Aequora Program at The Paideia Institute. He is now working to expand his teaching of the Classics to the Charlottesville, VA area.
Cooney Classics firmly believes that children of all backgrounds should have access to studying Latin and the Classics. We believe these subjects can inspire us all to learn from the past for a better understanding of today and the future.
Pathos
BENEFITS OF STUDYING THE CLASSICS
THE LANGUAGE
Studying Latin increases our vocabulary, because so many English words are rooted in Latin. It also helps us when learning any of the Romance Languages (French, Italian, Portuguese, Spanish and Romanian) - because these all stem from Latin and have gendered nouns, similar sentence structure, pronouns and tenses.
THE HISTORY
Learning about ancient civilizations provides a framework and foundation for better understanding our modern world: most of our schools of thought on government, philosophy, medicine and religion come from these cultures.
THE CULTURE
The myths of these cultures are stories that have lived on for millennia; most of them have lessons to leave us with, and meaningful messages and themes which other cultures have re-interpreted time and time again.
Logos
PROMOTING ACCESS
Aequora is a Classics program that places volunteers in schools to teach Latin, Greek and the Classics. It is run under a larger establishment, the Paideia Institute, which teaches Latin and Greek through online courses. I took an online Latin course in the spring term of 2019, and I was able to learn a lot and build on my Latin knowledge. Aequora’s free curriculum and textbook is open to all volunteers. It truly is an amazing program because they provide all of the materials and lessons, in hopes to encourage others to volunteer to teach Latin.
In 2021, I started a Latin club through Aequora at the St. Martin De Porres School in Uniondale, NY. I teach 7th and 8th graders using the Latin textbook provided, however I specialize lesson plans for our class. It has been a rewarding and fun endeavor so far, and I look forward to continuing the Latin club in the years to come!
