Shannon Nason

Head of Upper School

Shannon Nason will be the first to admit he was not a good student (though he did have some great teachers growing up in both Orange County and Seattle). In fact, it wasn't until he took his first philosophy class at Calvin College that his lifelong passion for learning and teaching began. After completing his Bachelor's degree in Philosophy and Ancient Greek, Shannon earned his M.A. in Philosophy from Loyola Marymount University and his Ph.D. in Philosophy from Purdue University. He served as the network-wide Director of Curriculum and Instruction at Leman Academy of Excellence in Tucson before joining us in 2026. Shannon has been a fan of SLOCA for years, and he's thrilled to join our team. In particular, he values our non-sectarian approach to classical education, our emphasis on great books, Socratic discussion, and our commitment to the pursuit of wisdom and virtue. Outside of school, Shannon hopes to improve his swimming skills so he can learn to surf, and he'd like to become a better reader of poetry.