Episode 29: Cultivating Classical Christian Education in a Cross-Cultural Setting

In this episode of The Rafiki Foundation Podcast, Karen Elliott sits down with Shakiyla Solomon, Kelly Fore, and Erica Robertson to discuss the unique challenges and opportunities of cultivating faculty for classical Christian education in cross-cultural settings. Drawing from more than 20 years of experience operating schools across 10 African nations, the conversation explores how educators can faithfully implement classical Christian education even when teachers have little exposure to classical pedagogy, limited theological training, and significant pressure from national exam systems. The panel highlights practical strategies that have helped Rafiki schools thrive, including daily Bible study, ongoing teacher in-service training, regular classroom observations, mentorship through head teachers, and the use of a scripted classical Christian curriculum. Throughout the discussion, the speakers emphasize that transformational education is not merely about passing exams, but about shaping students’ hearts, minds, and appetites toward the good, true, and beautiful. The episode ultimately serves as an encouragement to schools around the world seeking to implement classical Christian education in challenging or resource-limited environments.For more information about the ministry and educational work discussed in this episode, visit Classical Academic Press and Rafiki Foundation.