Episode Overview

Podcast: Hillsdale College K-12 Classical Education Podcast
Episode: Leading Pineapple Cove Classical Academies
Host: Scot Bertram
Date: September 25, 2025
Guest/Speaker: Dr. Kelly Gunter, Director of School Operations, Pineapple Cove Classical Academies

This episode features a presentation by Dr. Kelly Gunter, who shares the story and philosophy behind Pineapple Cove Classical Academies in Brevard County, Florida. Dr. Gunter discusses the demand for classical education, the unique approaches adopted by her schools, her own professional journey from traditional to classical education, and the transformative impact of this model on students and educators alike.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Introduction to Pineapple Cove Classical Academies (02:16)

• Pineapple Cove operates three schools in Brevard County, FL: two are official Hillsdale College K-12 member schools, and the third is a candidate member.
• The Palm Bay school is celebrating its 10th anniversary as one of the first Hillsdale-affiliated schools in the nation.
• The Academies employ 300+ staff, serve 2,600+ students, and maintain a waitlist nearing 4,000—a testament to the high demand for classical education in the region.
• Florida is unique for offering a Classical Educators Teaching Certificate, enabling teachers to teach multiple subjects across disciplines without additional standardized testing or bureaucracy.

“I say those numbers not to be a braggart, but to help provide context for the demand for classical education in this area in particular. … We are thankful that in Florida, we have a governor and a legislature that support what we do extraordinarily.” (03:04)

2. Dr. Gunter’s Professional Journey (04:25)

• Background in traditional, progressively oriented education; taught for 10 years in Title 1 classrooms.
• Felt significant gaps between what she knew was good for children and what standard curricula required.
• Experience at a community college revealed worrying deficiencies in recent high school graduates—many lacked foundational reading and math skills.

“Many students have completed 13 years of public education. … They often could not read at a high school level, and they often did not know their multiplication facts, let alone algebraic concepts.” (04:47)

3. Founding the First School and Classical Conversion (05:35)

• The idea for Pineapple Cove Classical Academy began when local businessman John Moran sought an educator to help launch a classical charter school.
• Dr. Gunter deep-dived into classical education research and found its principles both challenging and inspiring compared to her conventional training.
• The guiding mantra for the school: “We do what is good for kids.”

“It sounds overly simplistic, probably a bit naive, but in reality, doing what’s good for kids in 2025 takes many of the virtues that we instill in our honesty, perseverance, courage and self government.” (07:28)

4. What Makes Classical Schools Unique? (08:40)

• Foundation in Common Knowledge: Classical schools cultivate background knowledge and facts essential for critical thinking, rather than only focusing on abstract skills.
• Example: Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address drew on shared foundational knowledge that modern audiences may lack. Lack of shared background could impede understanding today.

“You cannot truly think critically unless you have the facts and a basis of common knowledge upon which to think.” (09:12)

5. Rigorous, Joyful, and Story-Driven Learning (10:22)

• Classical education is rigorous but focuses on mastery, not perfection.
• Students develop pride in mastering challenging topics; failure provides important lessons.
• Storytelling is central—teachers act as storytellers to foster curiosity, inquiry, and deeper understanding.
• Integration across disciplines: history, literature, science, and math are taught through rich narratives and connections.

“We rehumanize science and math with a historical narrative. And we use great stories to capture students’ attention and to compel them to investigate further.” (10:58)

6. Anecdote: The Power of Connections (11:34)

• Personal example of Dr. Gunter’s daughter, Addison, who linked a reference in the musical Hamilton to the Greek myth of Icarus and Daedalus—showing the power of integrated, connected learning.
• Demonstrates classical education’s ability to foster “aha moments” that inspire lifelong curiosity.

“As Addison is humming along, I see her stop and her eyes go wide. ‘I know that story. She said Icarus and Daedalus. We learned that in third grade. … Wait, is she saying Hamilton was too ambitious?’” (11:59)

7. Resisting Overreliance on Technology (12:49)

• Pineapple Cove intentionally rejects the trend of device-centered learning: no “one-to-one” student devices, no substituting computer programs for instruction.
• The focus remains on teacher-student relationships and human-to-human learning.
• Argues that basic academic mastery must precede engagement with technology and that technology saturation is not a deficit for today’s students.

“In our schools, you will never see us place a student in front of a computer program and call it instruction. Children learn from human beings and we do not provide students a one to one device.” (13:21)

8. Why Lead a Classical School? (14:21)

• Classical schools form vibrant communities centered on truth, beauty, goodness, habit formation, and virtue.
• The joy of watching student progress—from young children learning phonics to seniors defending a thesis—is uniquely fulfilling.

“The evidence of what we do is woven into the fabric of our school from top to bottom. And to watch students grow from five-year-olds learning their phonograms to seniors defending a senior thesis is a privilege unlike any other.” (14:43)

“As Mr. Moran promised, it is absolutely fun.” (14:55)

Notable Quotes and Memorable Moments

• On the Value of Classical Education:
  “Doing what is right for students is not generally the easiest route, it is often not the cheapest solution, and it is often not the expedient road.” (07:48)

• On Storytelling in Teaching:
  “Great classical school teachers are excellent storytellers. This means that content is presented in a way that asks great questions and inspires even more.” (10:37)

• On Integrated Learning:
  “The connection students can make when fully engaged with a topic or period of history is incredible.” (11:31)

• On Technology:
  “Do we feel like this generation needs more technology? Do we feel like they’re missing technological skills? And what good is a computer programming class if students have yet to master mathematical concepts?” (13:29)

• On the School’s Core Mission:
  “A classical school is a vibrant community of administrators, teachers, staff and students centered around truth, beauty, and goodness. We work hard to instill good habits, exemplify virtue, and build a culture of learning that transcends childhood.” (14:25)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• 00:00-01:06: (Advertisement and promo for unrelated series; skipped as per guidelines)
• 01:06-02:16: Host’s introduction to Hoagland Center for Teacher Excellence Seminars
• 02:16: Introduction by Dr. Kelly Gunter and overview of Pineapple Cove schools
• 04:25: Dr. Gunter’s educational background and motivation for classical education
• 05:35: Founding story and defining the school’s mission
• 08:40: Explanation of classical education’s unique attributes
• 10:22: Discussion of rigor, mastery, and storytelling
• 11:34: Personal anecdote—Addison’s learning connection
• 12:49: School’s philosophy on technology in classrooms
• 14:21: Dr. Gunter on leading a classical school and closing remarks

Tone & Language

Dr. Gunter’s talk is personal, candid, and passionate, blending data, personal experience, and concrete anecdotes. She vividly illustrates the living tradition of classical education and its relevance today, while remaining practical and realistic about challenges. Her tone is optimistic, earnest, and mission-driven throughout.

For those interested in how classical education is thriving—and why so many families want it—this episode offers an engaging, firsthand look at what makes the approach distinct, demanding, and deeply rewarding.