Jessie Smith

Jessie Smith lives in DeRidder, Louisiana, along with her husband, four children, and her miniature Australian shepherd. During her college years she was mentored by several families who home educated their children. Seeing the benefits of homeschooling, Jessie naturally decided to do the same. She has faithfully home educated her four children over the past decade.

Jessie’s passion for classical education began in 2014 when she was introduced to the method of teaching at a local conference. She has spent the last six years learning about classical education and how to implement it into her teaching. She has been honored to serve both the Classical Conversations families and Scholé Group families in the Central Louisiana area. She has served her local homeschool communities in various roles such as a director, tutor, support rep, retreat organizer, and state conference organizer. Jessie teaches her own children with a blend of Charlotte Mason and classical approaches.

One of her favorite aspects of teaching her own children is that she gets to grow in a deeper understanding of the material she is teaching. She has learned to empathize with her students and struggle alongside them as they learn together. Jessie loves reading children’s books that she missed reading as a child. Among her favorites are the Anne of Green Gables series, The Chronicles of Narnia, fables, myths, and fairytales. She delights in reclaiming her education one step at a time.

In 2019 Jessie saw that she needed to grow in a deeper understanding of how to teach classically, so she applied to join CiRCE’s Apprenticeship program. As a recent graduate of the Classical Teacher Training Program, she realizes that not only has she grown in her ability to teach classically, but she has become a better person. She hopes she is a little bit wiser and more virtuous.

When Jessie is not teaching or reading great books, she can be found cultivating her garden, taking great pleasure in watching her plants grow.

Teaching Philosophy

Mimetic teaching will be the primary mode of instruction in my courses. Simply stated, mimetic teaching employs the art of imitation. Mimetic teaching guides students to an understanding of an idea through presenting examples and asking questions. This type of instruction helps the students to internalize thinking habits which transfer to all areas of life. Each student’s knowledge base is different and they all have something important to contribute to the discussion. I will show kindness to my students by acknowledging their valuable insights, and by gently leading them to deeper knowledge and wisdom.

As a teacher, my job is to facilitate the best learning environment for students to thrive. In order to do this effectively, I have to cultivate my own soul. I plan to continue my professional development post graduation from the CiRCE Apprenticeship by reading great books with a like-minded community. What I learn will pour over into my classroom, influencing my pedagogy and classroom management, which will further equip me “to teach the young to know what is good, to serve it above self, to reproduce it, and to recognize that in knowledge lies this responsibility.” (Norms and Nobility by David Hicks, p. 13)

Statement of Faith

My Christian walk began at the age of sixteen while attending a friend’s youth group meeting. I realized I was a sinner in desperate need of a savior. My life changed the moment I asked Jesus to be my savior. During my college years, I plugged into a church with a great discipleship program. It is here that I matured as a Christian, learned more of the Bible, and grew in my love for the Lord. In these college years, I was discipled by several godly women who in turn taught me what it means to be a godly woman. It seems as though my husband and I have been in church ministry since the day we were married in 2005. My husband served as a preacher for pulpit supply for several of the Baptist churches in rural Louisiana over the next four years. In 2009 we moved to DeRidder, Louisiana, and started a non-denominational church plant called Gospel Community Church. I have been an active member of the Gospel Community Church for over a decade.

I adhere to the Nicene Creed and the Apostles Creed. I believe that the Bible is the inspired, comprehensive, sufficient, and authoritative Word of God. I believe in the Trinity, that God is one in three persons: Father, Spirit, and Son. Man is sinful by nature and needs a savior. Jesus is the incarnate son of God, fully man and fully God. He is without sin. Jesus died on the cross to atone for man’s sin, so that man can be reconciled to God. I believe, “if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.” (Romans 10:9 ESV)