Conceptual Education Fellowship

CONCEPTUAL EDUCATION PROGRAM

Program Overview

The Conceptual Education Fellowship is designated to advance educational reform by training new intellectuals who can articulate and advocate a rational approach to primary and secondary education, based on the principles of Objectivism.

The Fellowship is part of the Conceptual Education Program, a broader initiative created thanks to a generous gift from Ed Thompson. Read more about the Conceptual Education Program here.

I am passionate about reforming the educational system because I understand clearly that it is fully responsible for creating our national disaster. The Conceptual Education Program is my way of galvanizing support for educational reform.”

Ed Thompson, Conceptual Education Program Founder

Current Fellows

The Conceptual Education Fellowship currently supports the work of ARI associate fellow Sam Weaver, the inaugural recipient of the fellowship, and ARI junior fellow Samantha Watkins.

Sam Weaver

Sam writes and speaks for ARI, focusing on issues in the field of education. He also teaches courses and develops educational content for ARI. He holds a BA in English and graduated from ARI’s Objectivist Academic Center in 2019.

Speaking about the fellowship, Sam says:

I’ve long been deeply interested in issues around pedagogy and curriculum, and passionate about advocating a rational, conceptual approach to education. I believe Ayn Rand’s philosophy, especially her epistemology, provides a wealth of unique insights that help us understand the destructive nature of the educational establishment and to articulate a rational approach. Promoting educational reform based on her ideas is a crucial means of improving the lives of students and changing the culture for the better.

Thanks to the Conceptual Education Fellowship, I’ve been able to greatly advance my knowledge of Objectivism and develop as an intellectual applying Rand’s philosophy to educational issues. And the fellowship supports my work teaching in ARI’s academic programs.

I’m immensely grateful for the support of ARI’s donors, most especially Mr. Thompson, that makes my work possible. In my time at ARI I’ve been encouraged by how many people have expressed their enthusiasm for education reform. I’m excited about what the Conceptual Education Program will enable ARI to accomplish in the battle for educational reform, and I’m thrilled to be part of it.

Samantha Watkins

Samantha writes and speaks for ARI, focusing on issues in education. She has a background as a high school teacher and as a writer on the Montessori approach. Samantha holds a BA in education and graduated from ARI’s Objectivist Academic Center in 2024.

Samantha says of the fellowship:

My passion for educational reform began when I was a teacher in public schools. I had joined the field of education idealistically and was quickly disillusioned by what I saw in the classroom. The lack of agency and the disrespect for the mind—of students, parents, and teachers—horrified me.

Ayn Rand’s analysis of the problems with conventional education and her endorsement of Montessori as an example of a more rational approach were the first things that inspired me to look for alternatives. Rand’s philosophy, especially her focus on reason, purpose, and self-esteem as the centerpieces of a moral life, has deeply informed my educational thinking.

As a part of ARI’s Intellectual Incubator and the Conceptual Education Fellowship, my mission is to use Objectivism to radically increase demand in the culture for a rational approach to education—from defining the proper purpose of education to analyzing the concrete methods that achieve that purpose to advocating for the political freedom which enables innovation.

I am incredibly honored to be a part of the fellowship and extremely grateful for the support of ARI’s donors, especially Mr. Thompson. If there is to be positive reform in education, I believe it must spring from Rand’s ideas. The Conceptual Education Fellowship and the investment of ARI are what will make this reform possible.

Program at Work

Sam Weaver, the first recipient of the Conceptual Education Fellowship, has written and spoken on educational issues for ARI since 2021. His work has dealt with such issues as the schools’ failure to teach reading properly, the importance of opposing government control over education, and the rise of anti-reason egalitarian ideology in public schools.

Here are some highlights of work Sam has created or co-created:

OCON 2023 Talk

The Reading Wars Today

New Ideal Article

Systematic Phonics Offers the Path to Independence and Love of Reading

New Ideal Live Podcast

What’s Wrong with California’s Ethnic Studies Mandate?

New Ideal Article

The Real Cause of Indoctrination in Schools

HOW TO SUPPORT THE FELLOWSHIP

To support intellectuals in the battle for educational reform, click below to visit the donation page for the Conceptual Education Program. All funds donated through this link go directly to this initiative.

More information is available by emailing donorservices@aynrand.org.