We are pleased to announce Jason Doughty as the new Executive Director of Great Hearts Louisiana. He comes to this position with deep roots in Great Hearts and a dedication to human formation. Doughty brings a wealth of experience, spending half of his Great Hearts career opening new schools, and has a clear passion for cultivating virtue in the Pelican State.
Originally from the suburbs of Toronto, Ontario, Doughty earned degrees in communication and theology at Multnomah University in Portland, Oregon. He then attended Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary in Wake Forest, North Carolina, where he earned an Master of Divinity in advanced biblical studies.
Before joining Great Hearts in 2013, he served as a pastor of children’s discipleship at Camelback Bible Church in Phoenix, Arizona. Since then, Doughty has spent much of his career at Great Hearts helping open new academies and supporting school leaders across regions. He began as a third-grade teacher in Phoenix, before moving to San Antonio to launch a Great Hearts’ presence in Texas, contributing to the founding of the first three schools, and later serving as Headmaster of the fourth.
Doughty said his first introduction to classical education came when he and his wife enrolled their two oldest children at Great Hearts in 3rd and 4th grade. They were drawn to the school’s commitment to the moral formation of children and an education centered on virtue, not just academics.
“Aristotle says that the goal of education is the formation of the soul, and Plato says it’s to make man good, both morally and intellectually,” shared Doughty. “The focus on cultivating virtue and pursuing Truth, Goodness, and Beauty… these are real things that can and should drive lifelong learning.”
Now, as Executive Director of Great Hearts Louisiana, he’s eager to continue that work at Great Hearts Harveston in Baton Rouge. “The opportunity to invest in the school’s leadership is an honor,” he says. “The Head of School and the leadership team have such a high measure of impact on student success. I look forward to partnering with them to help them achieve all that is possible at Harveston.”
Great Hearts Harveston is the first Great Hearts academy to open its doors in Louisiana back in 2023, with hopeful plans to expand and bring tuition-free classical education to even more families throughout the state.
Doughty will focus on coaching and supporting school leadership, holding teams accountable to academic goals, and ensuring the success of future campuses. “Great Hearts should be the standard of education for every child in this country,” he added. “To see that happen, every school must thrive.”
Outside of work, Doughty enjoys golfing, reading, and camping with his wife of 25 years, Bridget, and their four children. Whether on the trail or in the classroom, his heart is clearly set on inspiring excellence and virtue wherever he goes.
We are thrilled to have Jason Doughty join the Great Hearts Louisiana family, and we look forward to the great work ahead.
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Submit a student application to a Great Hearts Academy by visiting: https://www.greatheartsamerica.org/enroll/.