Institute for Classical Education

Educators often come to Flagler College to learn more about K-12 classical education.

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.

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Flagler College Institute for Classical Education outside of Ponce Hall

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

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

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

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:

Workshop Agenda

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.

Workshop Speakers

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.”