Greetings

My name is Mr. Ross Garner and I teach 12th grade English and Capstone courses. I am excited to be teaching both in-person and online this year. 

 

Classical leadership education has been a formative part of my life for over 15 years. When I was a junior in high school, my mom was invovled in starting a new charter school where we lived. The school was paterned similarly to John Adams Acdemy, being inspired by the same book, A Thomas Jefferson Education. I decided to attend that school the first year it opened and was permanently changed by my experience. The mentors I met among my teachers and peers introduced me to a new world of books and ideas that ignited a love of learning in me that has turned into a life-long pursuit.

 

My senior year of high school I enrolled in an online classical education program through George Wythe University and had an equally transformative experience. During that year I discussed favorite classics like The Federalist Papers and War and Peace over conference calls with people I had never formally met, but who came to love and respect as we talked about great ideas. I know one can have incredible learning experiences in-person and online because I have experienced it myself, and I hope to share more experience with my scholars at JAA as we read, write, and discuss some of the greatest works in Western literature together. 

 

Before I came to John Adams Academy I taught writing composition for the English department at Utah State University. My degrees from USU and Brigham Young University are in American Studies, which is a conglomerate discpline that studies the history, literature, politics, and culture of America. I am currently enrolled in a second masters program in English education through Western Governors University and teacher credentialling program. This is my fourth year teaching at John Adams Academy and I look forward to many more.