I read "A Thomas Jefferson Education." Now what do I do?

We've all been there!

We read the book. It resonated deep down as truth and as something that our family needed to do. So we jumped off the conveyor belt, and.....

....Let's just be honest. It wasn't always very pretty. Knowing something is the correct path for our family, doesn't automatically make us good at it, or brimming with know-how.

Maybe your house looked like ours. We thought that we understood that this is a "child-driven" type of learning, so we invitingly placed lots of excellent books around the house, stocked up on worthwhile games, and re-supplied the art cupboard. Surely the children will naturally gravitate to entertaining themselves (screen free) with reading, creating, deep-thinking and utopia-like interactions with each other! Did that happen at your house? It certainly didn't happen at ours!!!

We had to learn. Lots! We read a lot, studied, haunted the online forums for TJEd-ers. (One of my favorites is the Facebook group, Leadership Education Homeschool Discussion (TJEd), moderated by Rachel DeMille herself!) And most importantly, you have to jump in and try. Don't let perfectionism dictate that you know everything before you start. It's impossible, and a sure path to feeling like you failed.

We have found over time that our ability to be effective at providing the type of education we envisioned, builds "line upon line, precept on precept." Try something. No matter if it works or not, you will learn something about yourself, as a mentor to your children, and about your children, as learners. You will have countless "debriefs" with yourself: 1. What did I do to prepare? 2. What went well? 3. What can I do to improve for next time? As time passes, you will be able to look back and see a path of progression!

You may need to begin your journey with some sort of formal curriculum. That may not be your ultimate goal, but for some, it is a place to start. We recommend that if you decide to start in this manner, that you use programs that are created to teach to all your children at one time. This style of teaching is known as the "one room schoolhouse" approach and will save you innumerable hours of preparation and teaching time. Another great benefit of this type of program, is the interaction of the littler children with the bigger. Always focus the lessons on the bigger children. The littles will absorb more than you know, within their own developmental ability. In addition, there is a synergy that happens over time, a type of positive peer-pressure, where the smaller children see that their older siblings can understand more and do more, and creates a desire in them to grow up to be able to do the same things!

Almost all subject areas can be taught in this way, with the possible exceptions of Language Arts and Math. (And even then, I would argue that there are many of those lessons that can be taught together as well.) For examples, some history programs that are excellent for one room schoolhouse use are: Story of the World, The Mystery of History or The Good & The Beautiful History. There are programs like those for most academic areas. 

But remember, don't allow the curriculum to become your crutch. Pay careful attention to what types of lessons "work" for your children. Allow yourself to begin to pick and choose which lessons to present. And ALWAYS allow the lesson to go off onto tangents, or "rabbit trails" as questions arise during the lesson. You will find that some of the best learning happens during those tangents, and that type of excitement is what fosters a true Love of Learning!!! If you are a personality that works better from a plan, rather than anything that seems chaotic, plan some tangents!!! You will have given yourself permission to go "off plan" and you will be teaching your children how real learning/discovery happens...from an "I Wonder...!"

Many future blog posts will give you snapshots into our homes, to see how we implement the TJEd type learning and some the ah ha moments we've had. We aren't perfect at it, and we have lots of fails, but we have lots of successes too! Our hope is that if we share what works for us, you can have more measurable success, sooner!!

Why Leadership Education? Why would I want my children to be Statesmen?

July 2017

A friend asked me about Leadership Education once - and after listening she ended up dismissing it because she didn't see the need for every person to become a statesman.  "Not everyone is going to become a lawyer or congressman -so why should I do this style of education?" I didn't have an answer for her then. But I do now.

What I realized this weekend after attending Quest training, was that the LEMI Scholar Path really does train these scholars (and we adults) to write like an author, speak like an orator, think like a philosopher, compute like a mathematician and read like a lawyer. Each project is designed to build these skills and abilities - increasing the challenges along the path as the individual scholar is ready. In the end, if the scholars continue to the end, they will truly have these five abilities. It isn't just a goal or a nice mission statement or an inspiring phrase. It is a reality. I have been inspired by the tremendous abilities of young adults who have finished the Quest project. Mitch, Natalya, Lilly, and Tyler are all examples of how this path really does work. I have also seen in it my own life - because I too have grown along this very same path.

Now, not all scholars will have the same natural gifts so some will excel more in one area than another. And, Leadership Education only works to the extent that the families apply the principles and to the extent that a youth commits to their education. But if they persevere in their journey, all will be competent in each area and tested by the Quest experiences and will have found their personal mission along the way.

So, sitting in church today I was struck with the talks by Sam and Josh. They spoke so eloquently and fervently about Liberty and Freedom. They understood with wisdom how God's law and natural law works. How freedom in any age requires control over their passions. They quoted beautiful words from "dusty old books" and understand the context and meaning of those quotes. I was so impressed and moved by their words. Then, as I stood to lead the music for the congregational hymns "The Battle Hymn of the Republic" and "Whose on the Lord's Side Who?" I was overcome with the power of the words. As I looked around I saw a few fervent, awake faces which matched my feelings. But the majority of the congregation were...in a stupor. Asleep and apathetic. How could someone have not felt the truth and power of what I had heard!? How could they not have been moved by the words and the music!? How could they not feel what I felt, a growing need for EVERYONE to fight for freedom!?

Next, a departing sister missionary gave a nice talk on her mission and spoke about Standing on the Lord's side. But it was in stark contrast, in delivery and content, with her younger fellow speakers. I know this wonderful young woman and she has a strong testimony and much to share with the world. But she lacked the confidence, skills, and fervor of the young boys who were being trained as statesmen.

Why does everyone need a leadership education? Because in our church and in the world these youth are told to  "Stand up", "Rise Up", "Stand for Something", and to "Be a light to the world" but they aren't taught HOW! They aren't taught in school to think - to compare ideologies and logical fallacies. They aren't taught to read "dusty old books", to understand human nature and history, to focus hard to understand and seek for the truth. They aren't taught to stand in front of a crowd and proclaim beliefs in a way that others will stop and listen. Instead, they are taught how to pass a multiple choice test, to write a five paragraph essay, or to regurgitate the teacher's opinion for a grade. That doesn't persuade anyone - that doesn't take a stand. That will never change the world!

Leadership Education is for everyone, because everyone has a gift, a unique mission in life.  I wanted to shout "Wake up our of your stupor! Snap out of the mediocrity, out of the "land of Normal", out of the apathy!" We ARE at war. Not a war using conventional weapons, but in a war of ideas and beliefs. Our religion and freedoms are very literally being taken away. The cultural changes around us aren't just a coincidence or just a slow change of society driven by the people. It is a battle of ideologies and we are being attacked - purposely, intentionally and methodically.

Why do we need Leadership Education?! We need leadership education so we each can be armed with knowledge so we can see patterns in history and protect our freedoms.

Why do we need to teach our children to be statesmen!? We need to each become a statesman because that is what FREEDOM requires of us.

We need leadership education so each and every one of us can wake up out of our stupor and fulfill our personal missions in life - To Stand Up - to Rise Up - To Be Free.