Jeffrey Rosen, Doug Lemov & Christopher Perrin Headline 2026 Classical Education Symposium

The 2026 National Symposium for Classical Education will open with a keynote address by Jeffrey Rosen, President and CEO of the National Constitution Center, titled The Pursuit of Happiness: How Classical Writers on Virtue Inspired the Lives of the Founders and Defined America. Rosen will be joined by two additional keynote speakers: Doug Lemov, acclaimed educator and author of Teach Like a Champion, and Dr. Christopher Perrin, CEO of Classical Academic Press and a leading voice in the classical renewal movement.

The National Symposium for Classical Education will convene February 25–27, 2026, at the Tempe Mission Palms Hotel in Tempe, Arizona, under the theme Classical Education and the American Experiment: The Declaration of Independence at 250. The three-day event will bring together educators, scholars, and leaders from across the nation and around the world to explore the enduring relationship between classical learning and the American Founding.

Rosen’s address will inaugurate the Symposium’s celebration of America at 250, examining the classical roots of the American experiment. The Declaration of Independence famously proclaims the pursuit of happiness as one of humanity’s inalienable rights. But what did the Founders mean by “happiness”? Drawing from his recent book of the same title, Rosen will explore how the Greek and Roman moral philosophers shaped the Founders’ understanding of virtue, self-government, and liberty.

“[He] has reengaged the public in the study of the American Founding and the fundamental Constitutional principles and debates that are necessary to sustain a robust exchange of ideas in American democratic life,” explained Carol McNamara, director of Great Hearts Institute, who hosts the Symposium each year.

Joining Rosen as fellow keynote speakers are Doug Lemov and Dr. Christopher Perrin, two of the most influential voices in modern education and the classical renewal movement.

Lemov, the author of the globally influential Teach Like a Champion, now in its 3.0 edition, is a name well known to educators across the nation. His research centers on observing master teachers and distilling their methods into practical tools that help educators thrive. His additional works, Practice Perfect and Reading Reconsidered, highlight the power of intentional practice and deep reading in developing thoughtful, capable students. Lemov’s insights are rooted in profound respect for teachers and a belief in their capacity to transform classrooms with creativity and care. In addition to his keynote, Lemov will also lead an educator workshop during the Symposium.

Dr. Perrin, CEO of Classical Academic Press, is a national leader in the classical education movement and a dynamic voice for the renewal of classical learning. A prolific author and speaker, his works include An Introduction to Classical Education: A Guide for Parents, The Scholé Way: Bringing Restful Learning Back to School and Homeschool, The Good Teacher: Ten Key Pedagogical Principles that Will Transform Your Teaching, and the widely used Latin for Children series.

Together, Rosen, Lemov, and Perrin represent the intersection of civic virtue, educational excellence, and classical wisdom that defines the National Symposium for Classical Education. Attendees can look forward to a transformative event that bridges ancient ideas, timeless virtues, and the enduring promise of America’s intellectual and moral foundations.

With interest in this year’s timely theme and the keynote speakers already running high, seats are expected to fill quickly. Don’t miss your chance to be part of this pivotal event. Early bird pricing ends November 11, 2025. REGISTER TODAY to secure your spot.

And don’t forget to register for the new half-day pre-conference dedicated to the vital question, “How can classical classrooms truly welcome every student, regardless of background or ability?” The pre-conference will serve as a prelude to the official National Symposium, launching later that same day. It will be a springboard for a broader network of educators committed to the belief that classical education can and should be for every learner.

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