Building Classical School Communities with Dr. Robert Jackson

Summary

In this conversation, Shannon Valenzuela and Robert Jackson explore the principles and practices of classical education, emphasizing the importance of mentorship, collaboration, and the role of experience in the learning process. They discuss the journey of educators within the classical education movement, the significance of building a supportive faculty culture, and the need to reclaim experiential learning in an increasingly digital world. The conversation highlights the philosophical underpinnings of classical education, including the pursuit of wisdom and virtue, and contrasts it with modern notions of self-actualization.

Topics Covered:

• The definition and purpose of classical education
• The importance of the relationship with tradition
• The role of mentorship in developing the next generation of teachers
• Creating vibrant school communities to support the work of education
• Classical education and self-actualization 
• The importance of experiential learning

Today's Guest:

Dr. Robert Jackson has promoted liberal education through teaching, scholarship, and administrative activities for 25 years. He began as a professor of English and education, then worked as chief academic officer at Great Hearts, where he founded the GH Institute. Currently, Jackson serves as the executive director of the Florida Institute for Classical Learning. He also serves as a senior fellow for Flagler College and the Chesterton Schools Network, while contributing as an associate editor for Principia journal. Jackson has received teaching awards from Florida State University and The King’s College, and was the 2021 recipient of the Salvatori Prize for American Citizenship. He and his colleague Philip Kilgore also run Classical Commons, a digital platform connecting local K-12 schools to the essential resources needed for promoting classical liberal arts education.

Timestamps:

00:00 Introduction
02:24 Initial Experience with Classical Education
06:23 The Role of Classical Commons in Teacher Development
11:31 Collaboration Between Homeschooling and Classical Education
18:31 Mentorship and the Craft of Teaching
26:35 The Mutual Learning Experience in Education
27:32 Emerging Talent and Mentorship in Education
31:56 The Pursuit of Wisdom and Virtue in Classical Education
37:09 Self-Actualization: Classical vs. Modern Perspectives
43:44 The Importance of Historical Perspective in Education
50:13 Reclaiming Experience in Learning

Episode Links:

Classical Commons: https://classicalcommons.org

Florida Institute for Classical Learning 2026 Summit: https://flclassical.org/2026summit/

University of Dallas Links:

• Classical Education Master’s Program at the University of Dallas: udallas.edu/classical-ed
• St. Ambrose Center Professional Development for Teachers and Administrators: https://k12classical.udallas.edu/