Around the Table

Conversations that Shape Culture

At Innovate Academy, we believe parents are essential partners in forming scholars who think deeply, love what is good, and influence culture with wisdom. Around the Table is our monthly gathering hosted by the Founder, Monica Guaglione, where parents and school leadership meet for a meaningful conversation around a selected book on education, formation, or culture. These evenings are warm, discussion-based, and intentionally small—designed to help parents engage ideas that shape the way we teach, mentor, and disciple our children. Each session offers a place to:

  • Engage with the Founder or other Mentors in guided conversation


  • Explore timeless ideas that inform Christian and classical education


  • Connect with other Innovate parents


  • Strengthen the partnership between home and school


  • Reflect on practical ways to cultivate culture-making at home

This is not a lecture. It’s a table—an open circle of thoughtful parents committed to raising the next generation of leaders through a Classical, Christian, and Collaborative model.

Below is a sampling of books we’ve explored together as a parent community:

These conversations equip parents to see education not only as academic preparation but as the formation of future culture-makers—faithful thinkers, servant-hearted leaders, and imaginative builders of what is true, good, and beautiful.

Book cover titled 'The Ablation of Man' by C. S. Lewis with a yellow and purple abstract background and a white torn paper effect.
Book cover titled 'The Tech-Wise Family' by Andy Crouch with a red background and a white house icon.

2024–2025

  • The Abolition of Man by C.S. Lewis


    • A discussion on objective truth, virtue, and safeguarding the moral imagination.

  • You Are What You Love by James K.A. Smith

    • Exploring how habits form the heart and what it means to shape a child’s loves.

  • The Tech-Wise Family by Andy Crouch


    • Creating families of wisdom in a culture of technological distraction.

  • The Liberal Arts Tradition by Kevin Clark & Ravi Jain


    • Understanding the roots and aims of classical learning in a modern world.

2023–2024

  • For the Children’s Sake by Susan Schaeffer Macaulay


    • Reclaiming a vision of childhood rooted in dignity, wonder, and discipleship.

  • Habits of the Household by Justin Whitmel Earley


    • Cultivating rhythms that shape faith, formation, and family life.

  • Teaching from Rest by Sarah Mackenzie


    • Recovering peace and purpose in the vocation of teaching and parenting.

Book cover titled "For the Children's Sake" by Susan Schaeffer Macaulay featuring an illustration of a woman reading with a child, floral border design.
Book cover titled "The Liberal Arts Tradition" with a green watercolor illustration of a tree on the front.
Book cover titled 'You Are What You Love' by James K. A. Smith, featuring a heart shape made of various colored magazine clippings and a woman with closed eyes in the center.
Book cover titled 'Habits of the Household' by Justin Whitmel Earley, featuring a circular infographic with various household icons.

Meet the Mentor

Innovate Academy Spotlight

As Founder of Innovate Academy, Monica Guaglione brings a wealth of experience as an educator, pastor, and mentor to families navigating faith, formation, and education. With years of experience teaching, parenting, and leading, Monica guides Around the Table discussions with wisdom, clarity, and care—helping parents think deeply about raising scholars who love what is true, good, and beautiful. Her heart for community and whole-scholar formation shapes each gathering into a space for thoughtful dialogue, encouragement, and practical insight.

Contact Mrs. Guaglione
A woman with shoulder-length brown hair and blue eyes smiling at the camera, wearing a dark zip-up jacket with a logo on the left chest that reads 'INNOVATE ACADEMY' on a plain white background.

Interested in more of our resources designed to equip families to shaping thoughtful, passionate, and entrepreneurial leaders of culture? Read more on our blog.