1. Why do you believe a new charter school option teaching an American Classical Education will have a positive impact on the community of Irmo?
Offering families a choice of schools positively impacts the community, regardless of location. Irmo has grown significantly over the years and is more diverse than ever. With an increased population comes increased differences in what parents are looking for in a school curriculum. A local public charter school option delivering a robust classical education curriculum adds to the value of living in our community.
2. How do you feel virtue plays a role in education?
Though the knowledge of facts and skills gained through education are important, I believe cultivating virtue in students is even more important. Virtues guide how the knowledge and facts are used as well as deepens learning for students. Virtues, such as courage and friendship, create good humans who contribute in a positive way to society. Considering each and every child in our great nation attends school for a significant portion of their life, education and virtue should be purposefully intertwined.
3. Ascent Classical™ teaches seven Core Virtues to students, including Courage, Moderation, Justice, Responsibility, Prudence, Friendship, and Wonder. Which Core Virtue do you resonate with the most and why?
Responsibility, as defined by having a broad and generous view of one’s actions, not only as they relate to one’s own good, but also to the good of others, resonates the most. To me, responsibility requires intrinsic motivation combined with a strong sense of civic duty. “That’s not my job” are not words anyone will ever hear come from my mouth. The virtue of responsibility grows our sense of purpose as a school community, which is very important to me as a Headmaster. Responsibility compels all of us to go the extra mile, even when we know there is no prize or recognition for doing it.
4. At Ascent Classical™ we allow the virtue of Wonder to guide students’ learning. How has Wonder guided your own educational journey?
Wonder, an innate curiosity about the unknown that draws you to learn more, has driven every aspect of my educational journey, from formal schooling to life experiences. I’ve always possessed an interest in learning about the how and why of the world around me. At an early age, I was exposed to live theater, original paintings, and different genres of music, all of which fostered an appreciation for the beauty of the fine arts. When I came across a topic that interested me, I would research it in the library or ask about it in conversations with my Grandfather. I sought extracurricular opportunities, such as Model UN, in high school to satiate my curiosity outside of regular academic classes. Wonder led me to successfully complete two graduate programs aligned to my professional growth but also to enroll in numerous courses over the years, such as sewing and website coding, that had no bearing whatsoever on my career. Even today, I seek travel experiences and enjoy roaming museums to satisfy my sense of wonder and to continually learn new things.
5. Did you grow up in a classical education environment? If not, how do you think this type of education would have benefited you as a young scholar?
No, I did not grow up in a classical education environment. Because of my natural curiosity and love of reading, I think teachers in a school with a classical approach would have pushed me to learn more deeply and to expand my keen interest in the humanities. I put considerable pressure on myself in high school to ace classroom tests and earn a good score on AP exams. While high achievement will always be a personal goal, I believe I would have spent more time in a classical school enjoying learning just for the sake of learning rather than focusing so intently on those individual tests that really didn’t mean much after the score was recorded. I’ve always had a strong moral compass, and growing up in a classical education environment would have allowed me to interact with more people who shared similar virtues.
6. What is your favorite part about classical education?
My favorite part of classical education is the concept of learning how to think, not what to think, through carefully selected curriculum and intentional teaching of virtues. As a seasoned educator, the ability for a student to think critically always outweighed perfect recitation and recall of the content. Likewise, being kind and acting respectfully towards others takes a person far in life, both personally and professionally. I love the idea of opening up the classical world to the students in our community and, in turn, developing critical thinkers who want to do good in our world.
7. What is your leadership style and how do you hope to bring enthusiasm and intentionality to the inaugural role of Headmaster for the ACA Irmo campus?
I’ve often been referred to as a servant leader, a description with which I fully agree. I feel compelled to help others reach their full potential, an integral component of servant leadership. Strong relationships and positive, proactive communication are essential to a healthy school environment. By intentionally including teachers, staff and parents in decision-making, I envision the development of a campus community built on enthusiasm for learning and pride for being an ACA Irmo Centurion.
8. Ascent Classical™ partners with parents. What does this mean to you and how do you envision partnering with parents at the ACA Irmo campus?
A child’s education is not complete, or really even possible, without parents. While I recognize each family situation is unique, I welcome and encourage parent involvement at ACA Irmo in whatever capacity works for the parents. This can be as simple as talking with students about their day to deeper involvement as a weekly volunteer helping with a task at the school for an hour or two. I envision open, two-way communication between parents and teachers to foster positive relationships and a sense of a true school community.
9. What was your favorite subject or book when you were in school?
Though I later became a History teacher, Literature was my favorite subject in school. My love of reading began before I entered kindergarten, and I can still remember the first book I read on my own without any help from my parents (“Mr. Pine’s Mixed Up Signs”). This discovery that I could decode words and meaning unlocked a vivid, exciting world for me. My love of reading grew to a love of writing in elementary school, first in 3rd grade where I excelled in handwriting and later in 7th grade when I learned how to diagram sentences. The artful construction of the letters and mechanics of crafting a well-written sentence was oddly appealing to me.
For me, picking one favorite book from school is about as easy as choosing between air and water! If I had to pick just one that sticks with me even today, I would choose “The Railway Children” by Edith Nesbit. Other favorites as a young child included “Charlotte’s Web,” “The Secret Garden,” “Stuart Little,” “The Giving Tree,” “The Boxcar Children,” and any of the Nancy Drew Titles.
10. What would you like to share with Ascent Classical™ families and students before the start of the school year?
Starting a new school year can be scary, whether it’s because of promotion to the next grade, transitioning from grammar to upper school, or because of a move to a new state. We are all in this together. If we work as a team to create a harmonious school that challenges each of us in some way, the hard days will be a little easier.
To Students – every single student at Ascent Classical Academy of Irmo is the “new kid.” Do not worry. And those uniforms? EVERYONE will be wearing them!
To Parents – your children will struggle at times. Be there to support and advocate but let them learn how to persevere in a safe environment. It’s okay to get a B instead of an A as long as your child puts forth the effort.