As Director of the Institute for Classical Education, Rowe is expected to lead the Institute in its mission of supporting K-12 classical schools and teachers across Florida. His role, overseen by Dean of Graduate and Education Programs Wayne Riggs, requires networking with private and charter Classical Education Academies throughout the State. Additionally, Rowe will work with Flagler faculty and classical education practitioners in designing programming for K-12 classical educators and “student-scholars.”
“With a Ph.D. in philosophy and history of education, a track record of leadership and program building, and a passion for classical and liberal education, I believe Dr. Rowe is well-suited to lead the Institute and build ties with classical schools throughout the entire Sunshine State,” Riggs said.
Rowe spent the past 11 years working as a professor of education at private liberal arts colleges and public research universities. During this time, he published more than a dozen scholarly works and presented his research at more than 30 academic conferences.
He began his career in higher education in 2009 after receiving both a master’s degree in Teacher Education and a Teaching Certification from the University of Dayton, Ohio in 2006. His first role was as an adjunct instructor with Denison University where he instructed Philosophy of Education and Critical Pedagogy.
As he completed a second master’s degree in Social Foundations of Education at Ohio State University, Rowe also worked as a graduate teaching associate for the University in courses like ‘Applied Ethics for Teachers.’ And in 2012, he earned a Ph.D. in Social Foundations of Education, with a specialization in Philosophy of Education, from Ohio State University.
Before taking his most recent position as an associate professor at Monmouth College in 2015, Rowe held multiple adjunct and visiting professor roles at The University of Toronto, the University of South Florida, the University of Tampa, and the University of Dayton. Two examples of courses he instructed through these roles are ‘Schools & Society’ and ‘Philosophy & Epistemology in Education.’
As a tenured associate professor at Monmouth, Rowe taught courses like Foundations of Education, ‘Philosophy & History of Education for Elementary Educators,’ and ‘Senior Seminar in Educational Studies.’
During his time at Monmouth, Rowe served as the Coordinator for the College’s First Year Experience Seminar, ‘Inquiry & Identity,’ as well as Coordinator for the Educational Studies program where Rowe was influential in the development of the Educational Studies major (2018) and minor (2016).
As director, Rowe will lead Flagler’s Institute to become a resource in the classical education community. Additionally, his understanding and appreciation for classical education will inform the programming the Institute offers.
“My passion for classical education comes from my continued belief in the transformative power of learning through classical texts and ideas,” Rowe said.
Before Rowe joined on as director, the Institute set the tone for its programming with an inaugural summer workshop, “Integrating Challenging Classical Literature throughout Curriculum,” for K-12 classical educators from across the state. In addition to continuing this summer workshop for classical educators, Rowe said he plans to create summer enrichment camps for K-12 “student-scholars.”
“These programs will give participants the opportunity to not only engage with texts and ideas seminal to the classical tradition, but to also come face-to-face with the historic, artistic, and cultural roots of classical education in this corner of the world,” he said.
As a liberal arts college “in this historic and aesthetically beautiful city with abundant culture, history, art, and architecture,” Rowe said he believes Flagler is a “tremendous” resource for classical schools and teachers throughout the state of Florida.
