Institute for Classical Education
Supporting teachers engaged in classical education at schools throughout Florida.

Professional Development Programs for K-12 Teachers
Professional Development Programs for K-12 Teachers
We offer some of the best learning resources from Florida's most recognizable private college. K-12 classical educators can grow their knowledge and skills by learning from various seminars and courses that comprehensively explore topics. You'll also learn theory and then put it into practice.

Empowering Florida's K-12 Schools
Empowering Florida's K-12 Schools
Discover how Flagler College's Institute for Classical Education is pioneering the future of Florida's schools through a transformative classical education experience where educators can gain valuable skills that ignite intellectual curiosity and foster growth in their schools.
We invite you to learn, socialize, and connect with fellow classical educators at Flagler College's Institute for Classical Education. The institute supports schools and teachers throughout Florida. We provide programs and professional development opportunities to advance traditional liberal arts education.
Experts in classical education and Flagler College faculty lead our programs. We often ask you to engage with classic Western texts to develop your understanding of the liberal arts and strengthen your skills and methods in classical teaching.
Programming
Programming
Monthly seminars provide opportunities for classical teachers and school leaders to learn about classical content and pedagogy. Seminars are held from 8:30 to 11:30 a.m. on our beautiful campus in St. Augustine. Breakfast will be provided.
Start your weekend right and join us for these vibrant sessions!
Fall 2024
October 5th
How to Teach Students How to Write: A Lecture and Demonstration by Joshua Gibbs
November 9th
The Lost Tools of Learning: Lesson Planning with the Trivium, Dr. Alyssan Barnes
December 7th
An Exploration of Euripides' "The Trojan Women," Flagler Professor, Dr. John Young
Spring 2025
January 25
Why Science Should Teach Wrong Ideas: Historical Modeling as Pedagogy, Dominic Martel
March 29
Learning Differences, ESE, and Classical Education Principles, Dr. Amy Richards
April 26
The Role of Wonder in Lesson Planning, by William Perales
Flagler College's Classical Institute offers professional development opportunities on classical pedagogy, curriculum, educational philosophy, assessment, classical texts, and other topics. We teach online, at our historic campus, and at locations across the state.
Contact us if your school or academy would like a professional development session.
In June 2024, the Institute led classical educators and school leaders on a journey through Spain to explore the culture and its contributions to classical learning that continue to impact us today.
Flagler professors Aggie and Tim Johnson led participants on a journey into Spain's rich history, vibrant culture, and captivating architecture and landscapes. This unforgettable classical learning experience included visits to grand cathedrals, historical centers, local culinary experiences, and world-renowned museums.
Institute for Classical Education Summer Workshop and Retreat
Institute for Classical Education Summer Workshop and Retreat
Registration Closed
The Institute for Classical Education hosts an annual workshop and retreat at the end of the academic year. This year’s workshop is held June 11-13 on Flagler College’s campus in historic downtown St. Augustine.
The workshop will focus on integrating classical literature into classroom teaching for Florida’s K-12 educators and school leaders. Workshop sessions are for early (grammar), middle (logic), and upper (rhetoric) grades.
2025 Summer Workshop Programming
2025 Summer Workshop Programming
Wednesday, June 11th
- 6 - 8 p.m. – Reception and Dinner, Markland House
Thursday, June 12th
- 8:15 - 9:00 a.m. – Breakfast and Opening Remarks (Pollard Lobby)
- 9:00 - 11:15 a.m. – Sessions
- Grades K-6: Developing Socratic Questions for K-6 Lessons, Katie Julian (Pollard 151)
- Grades 7-12: Thucydides and the Peloponnesian War, John Young (Pollard 228)
- 11:15 a.m. -12:15 p.m. – Lunch (Pollard Lobby)
- 12:30 -1:45 p.m. – Grades K-12: Classical Principles for Classical Educators, Robert Jackson
- 2:00 - 4:15 p.m. – Sessions
- Grades K-6: Show, Don’t Tell: Discovery and the Mimetic Lesson, Alyssan Barnes (Pollard 151)
- Grades 7-12: Drawing Shadows: Objective Reality and Moral Formation through the Fine Arts, Brighton Demerest-Smith (Pollard 228)
- 2:00 - 4:30 p.m. – Administrators: Classical School Leadership, Alex Julian (Pollard 110)
Friday, June 13th
- 8:15 - 9:00 a.m. – Breakfast (Pollard Lobby)
- 9:00 - 11:15 a.m. – Sessions
- Grades K-6: Joy in the Classroom, Hope Carrasquilla (Pollard 151)
- Grades 7-12: Logic and Why It’s Essential to the Classical Classroom, Alyssan Barnes (Pollard 228)
- 11:15 -12:15 p.m. – Lunch (Pollard Lobby)
- 12:30 -1:45 p.m. – Grades K-12: The Real and the Imagined: Scientific and Artistic Ways of Learning, Dominic Martel and Brighton Demerest-Smith
- 2:00 - 4:15 p.m. – Sessions
- Grades K-6: Developing Problem Solvers in Elementary Math, Katie Julian (Pollard 151)
- Grades 7-12: Practical Approaches to Teaching the Great Texts in History and Literature, Alex Julian (Pollard 228)
- 4:15 - 4:45 p.m. – Debrief with School Teams
Download a PDF version here:
Flagler College's Classical Institute is proud to welcome renowned speakers and innovators within the Classical Education space to lead our discussions and workshops. To view a full the full list and information, see the PDF below.
What Classical Educators Have to Say
Here's what some participants had to share:
"I thoroughly enjoyed all the sessions. Each presentation offered unique insights into how to effectively lecture, deliver engaging presentations, and interact with the audience to create an optimal learning environment.”
“It was a wonderful time of bonding with my own school’s team members and meeting new colleagues from different schools.”
Institute for Classical Education News
News
Find out what's happening with educators, students, and alumni at the Institute for Classical Education.
- Read: Florida K-12 educators encounter Spain's living classical heritage. (2024)
- Read: Flagler's Institute for Classical Education expands, welcomes senior research fellow. (2024)
- Read: New director joins Institute for Classical Education, plans to expand statewide support. (2024)
- Read: Flagler launches Institute for Classical Education. (2023).
Meet Our Team
Meet Our Team


Director of the Institute for Classical Education


Senior Research Fellow for the Institute for Classical Education

Research Fellow for the Institute for Classical Education

Affiliate Instructor for the Institute for Classical Education

Affiliate Instructor for the Institute for Classical Education
Questions?
Questions
If you have any questions, please reach out to Dr. Bradley Rowe, Director of the Institute for Classical Education at: ClassicalEducation@Flagler.edu