Dr. Amber Dyer leads one of the most remarkable classical schools in the nation: Great Hearts Irving. She's passionate about helping young people, many of whom are searching for belonging and meaning in today’s world, grow into capable, confident, and virtuous adults. Her approach isn’t just about academics; it’s about the kind of transformation families hope for but rarely find in modern education.

Top 5 Insights from Dr. Amber Dyer

• By removing personal devices from the school day, Dr. Dyer’s community says yes to deeper friendships, less anxiety, and richer classroom discussions.

• “Great Hearts” isn’t just a brand. This school’s mission is to shape students who recognize truth, goodness, and beauty, not just who score well on tests.

• Middle schoolers tackle books most college students find challenging. Every year, students grow not only as readers but as thinkers and citizens.

• The curriculum doesn’t hide from big questions; faith, virtue, justice; but welcomes all backgrounds. Dr. Dyer's team gives students a way to wrestle with these questions honestly, not just recite answers.

• Leadership isn’t about charisma or resume-building. Dr. Dyer builds future leaders by rooting them in the wisdom of great thinkers, giving them an edge for college, work, and life that’s rare today.

Timestamps:

00:00 Meet Dr. Amber Dyer: Helping Transform Young Hearts and Minds at Great Hearts

00:34 The Great Hearts Model: America’s Largest Classical Upper School

01:38 Key to Success: Hiring Passionate Teachers and Serving Diverse Families

03:18 What Sets Great Hearts Apart: The Power of a Classical Liberal Arts Curriculum

05:54 Socratic Method and Soul Formation: Beyond College Prep

08:41 Elevating Intellectual and Moral Excellence

09:03 Why Aren’t All Public Schools Like Great Hearts?

12:56 The Classical Revival in Public Education

14:10 Pursuing Virtue: The Role of Heart and Soul in Education

14:38 Religion, Virtue, and the Western Tradition at a Public Charter School

17:52 Teaching Sacred Texts Within a Classical Framework

19:56 Gospel Readings and the Roots of Human Dignity

22:00 Christianity, Secular Humanism, and the American Founding Principles

23:25 Can Public Schools Reintroduce Reverence and Piety?

27:42 Respecting Faith: Piety in the Western Canon

28:21 The Law and Prayer in School: Navigating the Establishment Clause

30:03 Screen-Free Schools: Great Hearts’ Approach to Technology and Social Media

33:33 Human Connection and Academic Excellence Without Devices

37:10 Building Tomorrow’s Classical Leaders

41:06 Leadership Wisdom from the Classics: Oedipus, Aeneas, and Beyond

42:27 The Future of Classical Education and Inspiring Educational Leadership

Dr. Amber Dyer

Executive Headmaster, Great Hearts Irving

https://www.greatheartsamerica.org/

https://irving.greatheartsamerica.org/

Dr. Johann D'SouzaClinical

Psychologist at Values First Therapy

https://www.valuesfirsttherapy.com/

https://www.valuesfirstcollective.com/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/johanndsouza/

https://x.com/drjohanndsouza