Why They Left NASA to Start St. George's Classical Academy

Can you teach kids the truth AND prepare them for a secular world?On this episode of Heavy Things Lightly, host John Heers talks with James and Juliana Joyce, founders of St. George's Classical Academy in Boxford, Massachusetts — an Orthodox Christian classical school started from nothing in 2024.James went from astrophysicist at NASA to teaching kindergarten math at a little plastic table. Juliana went from public-school principal of 10 years to head of school, janitor, finance, and furniture-mover. In the middle of writing their business plan during Holy Week 2023, they fell in love, got engaged in October, married in January, and opened with 21 students that September.We dig into: the Constantine vs. Benedict choice, why they DON'T have Divine Liturgy during the school day, classical vs. Orthodox education and the Western canon, Plato, the Enlightenment, why math matters, fuzzy math, and how to live an integrated, purposeful life.St. George's now draws from 12 Orthodox churches north of Boston — plus Catholic and Protestant families — and has seen families return to faith and convert.Learn more about St. George's Classical Academy in Boxford, MA - https://www.stgca.org/Chapters:00:00 Living a purposeful life01:15 Welcome to Heavy Things Lightly + Conrad's Jerky03:10 Meet James & Juliana Joyce — St. George's Classical Academy05:20 From NASA and principal's office to plungers and trash duty07:45 Can you teach truth and prepare kids for an atheist world?10:30 Constantine vs. Benedict — not retreating from the world13:20 Do you have to compromise classical to pay the bills?17:40 Why there's no Divine Liturgy in the school day21:15 School vs. Church — prayer, feasts, and hospitality25:00 Classical vs. Orthodox? Plato, the West, and the Fathers30:45 Sanctifying culture — West Africa, Enlightenment, and math36:20 Math trauma, loving what you teach, and elementary years42:10 Love story — business plan, Holy Week, engagement and marriage50:30 From cassock to date night — deacon, priest, and new life55:00 Final toast — hope, uncertainty, and purposeful direction58:30 John's riff — kids are hard, schools are hard, add more beauty__🏷️ Sponsored by Conrad's Beef Jerky — loyalty not guaranteed.Conrad's Deli - The best jerky you'll ever have ➜ https://conradsdeli.com/ ⭐ Use promo code "FIRST THINGS" for 10% off.🔥 Support First Things Foundation field workers like Sarah (featured in this episode): https://first-things.org✈ Become a Field Worker with FTF: https://first-things.org/opportunities📢 First Things Telegram: https://t.me/firstthingsfoundation🍷The best dinner party you've ever experienced - Supra Dinner Society: https://supradinner.com/🥂 Keipi Restaurant: https://keipirestaurant.org✒ Substack: https://johnheersftf.substack.com/ⓧ https://x.com/johnfromftf🏖️ Tailormade tours that give back: https://www.gratitude-travels.com/hom__Credits Music: Intro / Outro Provided by Greg Gilbertson & Band This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit johnheersftf.substack.com/subscribe