We’re Here to Support You and Your School
As a school leader, it can be tough to navigate the daily challenges and complexities that come with the role. It’s easy to feel isolated and overwhelmed, especially when faced with new and unfamiliar situations. That’s why having a support system in place is crucial for success.
At The Society for Classical Learning, we understand the importance of having a strong support network to lean on when you need it most. Our team of experts is dedicated to providing you with the help and resources you need to build a healthy, thriving school.
Who We Are
We Are Classical
The SCL is rooted in The Great Tradition, using its wisdom and virtue to raise up the next generation.
We Are Christian
The SCL is grounded in the historic Christian faith as expressed in the Nicene and Apostles’ Creeds.
We Are Leaders
The SCL is the leader in the classical Christian education movement by focusing on guiding school leaders.
Eric Cook is the President and CEO of the Society for Classical Learning (SCL), an organization dedicated to fostering human flourishing through the advancement of classical Christian education. He provides executive leadership for SCL, overseeing the organization's vision, strategy, thought leadership, and fundraising efforts. As President and CEO, Eric plays a pivotal role in the classical Christian school movement, seeking to revive timeless principles to reform education, renew culture, and promote human flourishing.
Over his time at SCL, Eric has made leadership development a top priority, equipping leaders to serve the classical Christian school movement. In 2021, he worked alongside SCL colleagues and Dr. Michael Lindsay, then President of Gordon College, to design and launch the first Masters program specifically tailored for classical Christian school leaders. The program is graduating cohorts of leaders filling key positions in the movement. Eric is the Co-Director of the program as well as an adjunct professor.
In his role as SCL President and CEO, Eric also leads the Arete Fellows, a group of 25 seasoned heads of school from across the country who provide feedback, wisdom, and insight to Eric and the SCL leadership team. This important advisory committee is mentoring younger leaders, working closely on SCL projects, and providing leadership for the movement’s most challenging issues and questions. In 2024, SCL launched its inaugural year accreditation program largely formed by the input and participation of the Arete Fellows.
As a consultant to dozens of schools across the United States, Eric has worked with school leaders to grow thriving schools, mature their governance models, conduct strategic planning sessions, and equip their key leaders. In 2020, Eric developed a head of school coaching program specifically designed for classical Christian school leaders. The program focuses on ensuring that wisdom and virtue are not merely theoretical commitments, but embodied both in the character and daily decisions of prudent leaders.
Eric works collaboratively with leaders and organizations across a vast network. He is a board member of the Classic Learning Test, an advisory board member with the Spreading Hope Network, an advisory board member of the Classical Liberal Education Network in England, and an advisory board member of the Center for Education and Public Policy at the University of Austin. Eric writes and speaks on a variety of topics from governance to philosophy to pedagogy. He has presented at numerous universities, conferences, and events over his time as President of SCL, both in the U.S. and abroad.
Previously, Eric was the Head of School at Covenant Classical School in Fort Worth, Texas from 2009 to 2022. During his leadership tenure, the school grew from 180 students to well over 400. Covenant is currently one of the leading schools in Fort Worth and the classical Christian movement. The school has full enrollment, a beautiful classically designed campus, and a dynamic leadership team.
Over Eric’s educational career he has taught history, philosophy, apologetics, thesis, world religions, reformation theology, rhetoric, political science, psychology, and civics. He also developed numerous programs, including a Philosophy Club, Civic Society, and a variety of reading groups.
Eric received an Ed.S. in Classical School Leadership from Gordon College in 2023. He also holds an M.A. in Instructional Leadership from Northern Kentucky University and a B.A. in Education from Transylvania University. He started his career in public school as a history teacher and administrator before moving into classical Christian education as Upper School Head at Faith Christian School in Roanoke, Virginia in 2007. Eric and his wife, Liz, have six children and live in Charlottesville, Virginia.
Our President and CEO
Eric Cook is the President and CEO of the Society for Classical Learning (SCL), an organization dedicated to fostering human flourishing through the advancement of classical Christian education. He provides executive leadership for SCL, overseeing the organization’s vision, strategy, thought leadership, and fundraising efforts. As President and CEO, Eric plays a pivotal role in the classical Christian school movement, seeking to revive timeless principles to reform education, renew culture, and promote human flourishing.
Eric received an Ed.S. in Classical School Leadership from Gordon College in 2023. He also holds an M.A. in Instructional Leadership from Northern Kentucky University and a B.A. in Education from Transylvania University. He started his career in public school as a history teacher and administrator before moving into classical Christian education as Upper School Head at Faith Christian School in Roanoke, Virginia in 2007. Eric and his wife, Liz, have six children and live in Charlottesville, Virginia.
SCL Team
Genevieve Peterson, CFRE, is the Chief Development Officer for the Society for Classical Learning, bringing deep experience from her tenure as CDO at Great Hearts Academies and her leadership of the Arizona private school tax credit with Catholic Education Arizona. Her passion for fundraising began at California State University, Fullerton (BA Communications), and was shaped further through her work as a Leadership Consultant, traveling to more than 25 universities nationwide. A California native, Genevieve now resides in Chandler, Arizona with her husband Kevin and their two sons, and recharges each summer along the Orange County coast with family and friends.
In her role as the Director of School Improvement for the Society for Classical Learning, Starrla is able to combine two big passions—developing leaders and expanding collaborative schools across the United States. Prior to joining SCL, Starrla and her husband were co-founders of Veritas Academy in Austin, Texas, and over the course of 18 years Starrla served in various capacities including Academic Dean, Academic Team Chair, Grammar School Head, and School of Logic Head. She continues to serve on the Veritas Academy School Board and its Governance and Nominations committee.
While at Veritas, Starrla developed curricula and academic programs, trained hundreds of teachers, served on accreditation teams for similar schools, and helped many classical, collaborative schools launch and grow. She is passionate about Kingdom building through the expansion of classical, Christian schools; and after receiving her Masters in Leadership through Gordon College, shifted her focus to developing programs for training future Christian school leaders.
Starrla and her husband, Jef (the longtime Veritas HOS), are the parents of three adult children, all graduates of Veritas Academy. After living in the Texas Hill Country for nearly 30 years, Starrla and Jef now enjoy living close to their adult children in Memphis, Tennessee.
Brian has been in classical education for 17 years serving in various capacities ranging from "science" teacher to administrator and board chair. With a desire to grow as a professional educator, he returned to school in 2015 to pursue a doctorate in educational leadership at Vanderbilt University's Peabody School. Graduating in 2018, this work ignited a passion to study Classical Christian schools for the purpose of helping them to improve as they seek to build the Kingdom of God. In addition to his work with SCL, Brian directs the Center for Christian Classical Education at College of the Ozarks in Pointe Lookout, Missouri.
Lauren Key began working for SCL in the fall of 2022. She brings over 10 years of Administrative experience in Classical Education including Director of Operations, Director of Admissions, and Director of Fine Arts: The Habersham School in Savannah, GA. Lauren’s focus on our team is operations, customer experience, sponsorship and membership. She enjoys combining her love of customer service with her love of Classical Education. She lives in Savannah with her husband and three girls.
Sarah Spencer has been in education for almost twenty years. She has served in a variety of capacities: public high school history teacher, classical Christian fourth grade teacher, classical Christian Grammar School dean, and most recently homeschooling her own children in the classical Christian tradition. She is an army wife and mother of four. She enjoys hosting friends, family, and neighbors; reading and discussing great books; cooking and eating delicious food; spending time alone in the Word; and singing. She is energized by the good work being done in the classical, Christian movement, as we consider together what it means to raise up the next generation with a love for truth, beauty, and goodness.
Catherine is deeply passionate about creating art and experiencing beauty even in the most mundane things. As a graphic designer at SCL, Catherine gets to create resources and initiatives that combine a passion for beauty and design with a deep love for classical education. Catherine holds a BFA from Mississippi State University and has a background in education and ministry. In addition to working as a graphic designer before joining SCL, Catherine was the college counselor and Art teacher at The Habersham School, a classical Christian school in Savannah, GA. She also served with Reformed University Fellowship, fostering spiritual growth in college students at Colorado State University. In her free time, she enjoys reading and woodworking.
Marissa has served as SCL’s executive assistant since 2016. “I truly believe in SCL’s mission and vision to help classical Christian education thrive, and how it is making an impact in the next generation and society as a whole,” Marissa says. “SCL has ministered to my family and me in numerous ways, and it’s been an honor to be a part of this movement in a small way.”
Prior to SCL, Marissa served as the program director for the Alec & Belle Waterhouse Lecture Series in Honolulu, HI where she organized conferences and seminars for nearly 10 years. She also has held administrative positions at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in the President’s Office. Marissa is married to Shelby, and they have three children who attend Covenant Classical School in Fort Worth, TX. Born and raised in Honolulu, HI, Marissa enjoys traveling, reading, and volunteering in her daughters’ American Heritage Girls’ troop.
SCL Board
Peter Baur has been involved in independent education for nearly 40 years and has held roles in several environments, including start-up Classical Christian schools and “elite” private schools with over 150 years of history. Peter has served in nearly every capacity, including PR/Marketing, curriculum development, head of school, development/fundraising, special events, college guidance, admission, advisory, teaching and coaching. In addition, Peter has led schools and churches in strategic planning, has presented at Circe, ACCS and SCL, and been a featured speaker at schools around the nation. Peter is known for his ability to articulate Classical Christian education in a simple, practical manner. Peter is the only SCL Fellow elected prior to becoming a head of school.
Hayden Johnson is a strong advocate for classical education. He was called into education fulltime in 2014 after a twenty-year corporate career leading technology and marketing teams around the world. He served for nine years on the Board of Directors at Grace Academy in Georgetown, Texas after which he was asked to serve full time as their Athletic Director. He also taught for several years in central Texas public high schools. Hayden and his wife Tracey began their careers as U.S. Army officers.
Both of his children attended Grace Academy beginning in kindergarten providing them the classical Christian education not afforded their parents. Hayden holds a B.S. from the United States Military Academy, an MBA from The University of Texas and a Master of Information Technology from Virginia Tech.
When he is not talking to parents, friends and patrons about the transformative power of classical Christian education, you can often find him preparing for Grace athletic events, training on his own or enjoying the Texas Hill Country with his family.
Russ Gregg (B.A., Global Studies, University of Wisconsin-Madison) is co-founder and has served as Head of School since Hope Academy’s founding in 2000. He has been a resident of the Phillips neighborhood since 1994. In 1999, he was an administrator at a Christian School in Edina, and quit his job to help lay the groundwork for a Christian school for his urban neighbors. Russ and his wife Phyllis, who teaches 3rd grade at Hope Academy, live four blocks away from the school. They have three grown children. Russ serves on the Board of Directors of the Society for Classical Learning.
Travis Koch is headmaster of St. Stephen's Academy in Beaverton, Oregon, where he has served since 2016. He loves to repair and improve neglected things such as watches, cars, buildings, recipes, curriculum, and school policy manuals. He holds a B.A in history from Stanford and an M.A. from Yale. When he's not reading or answering school-related questions, you'll probably find him in the garden or kitchen with his wife, or in the garage fixing something, or in the field chasing bumblebees with one of his five children.
Dr. David Diener works at Hillsdale College where he is an Assistant Professor of Education. Previous experience includes fifteen years in K-12 private education, eleven of those in administration and eight as headmaster of classical Christian schools. He also is a Fellow on the Alcuin Fellowship National Council and Director of the Alcuin Fellowship Midwest Chapter, serves on the Board of Directors for the Society for Classical Learning and the Board of Academic Advisors for the Classic Learning Test, is a member of the National Council of Classical Educators, and offers consulting services through Classical Academic Press. He is the author of Plato: The Great Philosopher-Educator and has published articles on Plato, Kierkegaard, and various topics in philosophy of education. He also serves as the series editor for Classical Academic Press’ series Giants in the History of Education and is an associate editor for the journal Principia: a Journal of Classical Education. He holds a BA in Philosophy and Ancient Languages from Wheaton College as well as an MA in Philosophy, an MS in History and Philosophy of Education, and a dual PhD in Philosophy and Philosophy of Education from Indiana University.
Mr. Lewis co-heads the Business Services and Specialty Distribution Groups. He joined Harris Williams in 2000 and has advised clients on a variety of mergers and acquisitions and strategic advisory assignments. From 2002 through 2004, Mr. Lewis was in London helping launch Harris Williams' international efforts.
Neil Anderson has been the head of school at Trinity Classical School (Houston) since June 2010. The school was founded in 2009 and Mr. Anderson was hired as its first head. TCS is a PreK-12th Christian, classical, and collaborative school with 700 students. Mr. Anderson has a genuine passion for education to the glory of God, through the liberal arts. After graduating from Wheaton College with a degree in Biblical Studies, he served as an associate pastor and worship leader at a church in west Chicago. With a growing family of four children, Neil and his wife Marian moved back to his hometown of Houston. Prior to joining Trinity Classical School, Neil worked at a local classical school, serving as a teacher, department chair, and Dean of Students. During these years, Neil developed a great zeal for classical education and completed a Master’s of Liberal Arts degree at Houston Baptist University. Neil is passionate about poetry, classical literature, theology, carpentry, coffee, hiking, running, and children. He also has a dog that he is not passionate about.
Craig Hefner serves as the Head of School at Covenant School in Huntington, West Virginia, where he has served since 2018. Craig has a Ph.D. in systematic theology from Wheaton College, an M.Div. from Trinity Evangelical Divinity School, and a B.A. from Cedarville University. Craig is the author of Kierkegaard and the Changelessness of God: A Modern Defense of Classical Immutability, published in 2023.He lives in Huntington, West Virginia with his wife, Rachel, and their sons, Elliott and Adler.
Elizabeth Butler dedicated over a decade to Veritas School in Richmond, VA, serving as a parent of 2 students, a board member, and eventually as board chairman, leveraging her extensive experience in strategic planning from her tenure at McKinsey & Co. and WebMD. Because Elizabeth’s prayer is that all children will be able to meet their God given potential in a country that keeps them safe and protects their freedoms, she is committed to strong conservative leadership at every level of government. She holds an MBA from the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania and an engineering degree from Auburn University. Elizabeth and her husband, Ron, are active members of Coral Ridge Presbyterian Church in Ft. Lauderdale, FL.
Core Values
At SCL, we are committed to joyfully serving Christ as the core calling and purpose of our work.
At SCL, we believe the great work of CCE should be broadly accessible.
At SCL, we believe that our work is to serve the movement by showing grace, love, and tangible acts of hospitality.
Education With Purpose
The Society for Classical Learning (SCL) has existed since the mid-1990s to facilitate and encourage thinking and discussion among professionals associated with Christ-centered education in the liberal arts tradition.
The Society provides a forum where educators can share wisdom, experience, and ideas as they deepen their understanding of classical theory into everyday, real-world education.
The SCL is committed to historic Christianity as expressed in the Nicene Creed and to exploring the relationship of Christ to the broader culture.
Mission & Vision
The Society for Classical Learning exists to foster
human flourishing by making classical Christian
education thrive. The ancient world has much to offer
us today in thinking about how we might best teach
and encourage young people toward virtue, wisdom,
and truth.
Defining Classical Christian Education
Classical Christian education aims to cultivate virtue and wisdom in students so that they will live for the glory of God, flourishing as human beings and loving both God and neighbor. It pursues these goals through an ordered exploration of the True, the Good, and the Beautiful that is grounded in the liberal arts tradition and that forms students’ affections and the habits of lifelong learning.
Here’s What Our Members Are Saying
“SCL continues to provide classical Christian educators with the best of the tradition alongside an approach to the culture that is honest without being anxious. This is a much needed approach in our polarized climate.”
– SCL Attendee
“I was very encouraged by meeting so many other like-minded teachers coming from institutions sharing the same values and commitments. It encourages me in the fight for truth, goodness, and beauty!”
– SCL Attendee
“SCL was a place to connect with other teachers on the front lines. It’s easy to feel like we’re out there alone, but seeing how many other teachers are out there fighting the good fight, and having the chance to hear their stories and learn from them, it reminds me why I got into teaching in the first place.”
– SCL Attendee