American Classroom
Discover the power of education in achieving the American dream. Join hosts Jared Taylor and Lindsey Crosland on American Classroom: Stories of Building a Civil Society, a podcast that explores the many educational options available to parents and students. We speak with educators, experts, and families to uncover ways to make schools safer, expand opportunities for youth, and help children develop their talents. Heritage Academy is committed to the growth and development of young people. We believe the purpose of education is to build strong character, which leads to strong families, strong communities, and a strong nation.
Episodes
School Choice Done Right: Finding the Best Fit for Your Child
School choice can feel empowering and overwhelming at the same time. Jared Taylor and Lindsey Crosland welcome Dr. Barbara Duncan and Liz Dreckman to explain how Arizona became a national model and what parents should do with all those options. They cover the “backpack funding” idea behind ESAs, how tax credit scholarships expanded to serve more students, and why real pro...
In this episode, listeners meet Principal Tera Nelson, the founding leader of the new Heritage Academy K5 campus in Maricopa, Arizona. She shares her path from military service to early childhood education and now school leadership, highlighting the values that drew her to Heritage Academy’s traditional, character centered model. Principal Nelson describes what makes the K5 experience special, including smaller class sizes, strong ...
Jared Taylor and Lindsey Crosland welcome Rio Salado College President Kate Smith for a compelling discussion on dual enrollment, equity in education, and the future of learning. Kate reflects on Rio Salado’s mission to meet learners where they are, from high school students to working adults and military learners across the globe. The conversation highlights the dramatic growth of dual enrollment, the confidence it builds in stude...
Host Jared Taylor and co-host Lindsey Lundeen Crosland sit down with author and constitutional expert Shane Krauser for a lively conversation on freedom, education, and America’s 250th anniversary. Krauser recounts his upbringing as a first-generation American, his deep love for liberty, and his mission to rekindle appreciation for the founding ideals across classrooms, homes, and communities. The episode explores how America’s pri...
This episode of The American Classroom dives deep into the heart of Character Education, the timeless idea that schools should help shape not only what students know but who they become. Jared Taylor and Lindsey Crosland sit down with veteran educator and researcher Sharon Moss, whose passion for “virtue literacy” breathes new life into the field. Drawing from her decades in the classroom and her master’s research on character deve...
This episode of American Classroom explores how Career and Technical Education (CTE) is transforming high school learning and preparing students for real-world success. Host Lindsey Lundeen Crosland sits down with Stephanie Lund, principal of Paul Revere Academy in Mesa, Arizona, to discuss how hands-on learning brings relevance and purpose to academics. Lund shares inspiring stories of students who found confidence, direction, and...
In this episode of American Classroom, hosts Lindsey Lundeen Crosland and Jared Taylor talk with Jose Portilla—former NFL player turned artist and educator—about the surprising parallels between football and art. Born in Mexico and raised in Texas, Jose overcame early doubts to become the first Mexican-born player to appear in a Super Bowl with the Atlanta Falcons. After football, he earned a degree in visual communications and bui...
In this episode, we sit down with artist and educator Ben Sowards to explore what it means to grow into the kind of creator only you can become. As a designer for the U.S. Mint, Sowards has created coins and medals for the Bush, Reagan, and Trump families, and his commissioned portraits and paintings hang in collections around the world—yet his focus remains on the deep intention behind art itself and the quiet discipline of shapin...
What if economics class could teach students how to live with purpose—not just how markets work? In this episode of American Classroom, Kerry Montano from the University of Arizona introduces a groundbreaking dual enrollment course that’s transforming how high school students engage with economics. Co-authored by thinkers like Dr. David Schmidtz, Commercial Society weaves together ethics, entrepreneurship, and real-world applicatio...
What does it really mean to be a gifted learner—and how can schools support students who think differently? In this episode of American Classroom, hosts Jared Taylor and Lindsey Crosland sit down with Dr. Janelle Emory, founder of the Gifted and Talented program at Heritage Academy Gateway, to challenge common misconceptions about gifted education. Far from being just for "high achievers," Dr. Emory explains how giftedness is a for...
In Part 2, Dr. Vernon Smith returns to share practical insights on the future of education—from using AI responsibly to transforming foster youth outcomes through career and technical education.
The conversation ranges from the economic value of dual enrollment to the ethics of assessment in an AI-enhanced classroom. You’ll also hear powerful stories of lives changed when schools rethink tradition and prioritize access, flexibility,...
How do we make college more accessible, relevant, and future-ready—without sacrificing quality? In Part 1 of this two-part series, hosts Jared Taylor and Lindsey Crosland sit down with Dr. Vernon Smith, a trailblazer in higher education innovation, to explore the origins and growth of dual enrollment, the value of early college credit, and the bold decisions that transformed Rio Salado College into a national model for access and i...
What if students didn’t just do the work—but truly wanted to learn? In this powerful episode of American Classroom, hosts Jared Taylor and Lindsey Crosland sit down with educator and author Dave Stuart Jr. to unpack his book The Will to Learn and explore what it really means to cultivate student motivation. Joined by Heritage Academy principal Kathleen Lopez, they dive into practical, research-backed strategies for helping students...
How do you create a school culture where students thrive, teachers stay, and respect runs deep? In this episode of American Classroom, hosts Jared Taylor and Lindsey Crosland welcome back Kim Ellsworth, Director of Education for Heritage Academy, to explore the transformative power of civility in schools. Drawing on her experience founding two campuses, Kim shares real-world strategies for establishing a calm, respectful learning e...
What happens when Americans no longer know the rules of their own democracy? In this episode of American Classroom, hosts Jared Taylor and Lindsey Crosland tackle the growing crisis in civic literacy. Drawing from recent national studies, they reveal just how many Americans—especially young adults—struggle to answer basic questions about how their government works.
Using the powerful analogy of American democracy as a game, they arg...
What if science class could be the launchpad for a lifetime of curiosity, creativity, and critical thinking? In this inspiring episode, hosts Jared Taylor and Lindsey Crosland sit down with Jeff Burrell, a master teacher with over 30 years of experience, to explore the true power of science education. From hands-on robotics to peanut butter sandwich logic tests, Jeff shares how he helps students think deeply, fail forward, and disc...
How is music education evolving—and why does it still matter? Jason Barney returns to American Classroom to explore the enduring value of music education in today’s rapidly changing world. From the classroom to the recording studio, he shares unique insights into how technology and AI are reshaping music and what that means for students and educators alike.
Learn why preserving music programs is essential, how parents can nurture a ...
What if music education is the key to unlocking more than just talent—but deeper thinking, empathy, and cultural understanding? In this episode of American Classroom, hosts Jared Taylor and Lindsey Crosland welcome Jason Barney—musician, composer, and passionate music advocate—to explore the profound impact of music in education. From enhancing cognitive development to building social connection and historical awareness, they discu...
What if education looked less like a system—and more like a community built around your child’s potential? In this week’s episode of American Classroom, hosts Jared Taylor and Lindsay Crosland sit down with Kelly Smith, CEO and founder of Prenda, to explore the transformative world of micro-schools. These small, personalized learning environments are helping students become confident, self-directed learners through mixed-age collab...
What makes a teacher credible in the eyes of their students—and how do you build it every day? In this episode of American Classroom, Kim Ellsworth, Emily Asasnovich, and Shalisa Arnold join hosts Jared Taylor and Lindsey Crosland to share powerful, practical strategies for earning and maintaining credibility as an educator. From intentional lesson planning to classroom stewardship and student engagement, they offer real-world insi...
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