American Classroom

Workforce development starts long before a first job, and this episode explores how communities can better connect students to real opportunities. Mesa Chamber President Sally Harrison shares how businesses, schools, and families can work together to expose young people to meaningful career paths. From internships and mentorships to simple job shadowing, she explains why early exposure is key to helping students discover their inte...

Many parents assume online exploitation could never happen in their home. But according to former child exploitation investigator Art Schmeiser, today’s predators are patient, strategic, and often build trust with children long before a crime occurs. In this episode, Art shares real cases from his time working alongside federal and state law enforcement to expose how grooming begins in gaming platforms, social media, and private ch...

In honor of America’s 250th birthday, this episode dives into how educators, students, and families can take part in a once-in-a-generation celebration of the country’s founding. Hosts Jared Taylor and Lindsey Lundeen Crosland speak with Lynn Young from America250, the national commission tasked with organizing the Semiquincentennial. Lynn shares the bold goals behind the initiative: to unite 350 million Americans through service, ...

As America approaches its 250th birthday, Jared Taylor welcomes his father, educator and Heritage Academy founder Earl Taylor, for a thoughtful conversation on what today’s students must understand about 1776. Drawing on decades in the classroom, Earl explains why the American Revolution was unlike any other in history, not driven by terror or a quest for power, but by a belief in self government rooted in moral responsibility. Tog...

Holocaust education is more than a history requirement. It is a lesson in empathy, courage, and moral responsibility. In this episode of the American Classroom Podcast, hosts Jared Taylor and Lindsey Crosland sit down with Leigh Routman, Executive Director of the Holocaust Learning Experience, to discuss a free, comprehensive Holocaust curriculum now used by schools across the country.

Leigh shares her personal journey working along...

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...