Educating Leaders - No Conveyor Belt Education Here!

December 12, 2005 - Pros & Cons of Thomas Jefferson Education

I forgot to say that this is in response to a discussion I was having with some other moms.

TJEd has some great points about getting off the conveyor belt, mentoring, training leaders instead of followers and classics. BUT, I agree with you that parents should use a variety of educational approaches (lectures, videos, classics, mentoring, projects, research, etc). I also believe that God gave parents to kids as authority and guides. Oliver DeMille says that he doesn't teach his kids anything until they "want" to learn it. This is so unbiblical and something I have tried to tell those who buy his book.

I am somewhere in the middle. Steve & I have decided which studies we will "require" of our kids and which ones we will "inspire" them to further studies. I do think it is important that our kids have some time to study their interests while they are under my guidance. I have let the kids choose a topic to study & research. Then, they are to write about their findings. I help them with their writing, using IEW outlines & Lost Tools of Writing ideas. I also believe this develops leadership skills as they are not just doing what I tell them to do (you know, following vs. leading).

I could go on & on about this topic because I have wrestled with it over the past few years. If anyone has other ideas on developing leaders, I'd love to hear them. I truly want my children to be leaders for the Lord, not followers that do whatever they are asked to do.

Kerry

Leadership Education

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Thomas Jefferson Education
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December 12, 2005 - A Note to the Pros and Cons of a TJEd!

Posted by Anonymous

It is so neccesary to read the Packets from the DeMilles Seminars to fully understand what the DeMille's do in their home to fully understand the methodology of their philosophy. It is to inspire them to want to get their requirments done in a fun attractive way instead of biting at their heels to finish and push them to tears to get it done. God wants us to become like children and if we are forcing them to become mini adults aren't we defeating that clause? Their is so much more to it than the book. I would suggest the Packets " Core and Love of Learning; A Recipe for Sucess" and "A Thomas Jefferson Education in Our Home". Available at www.GWC.edu. They do not just go about their buisness, hoping someday their children will ask them to do something, they are Constantly Inspiring their children. What do you think would be more difficult: FORCE or INPRIRATION! I guarantee it is Inspiring them. You have to "Be Insirational" There is a time and a place for assigned academics and early childhood is not the time.

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December 12, 2005 - Thanks

Posted by LeadershipEducation

Actually, I have read all of their packets and listened to all of their cds. TJEd is our best seller for our book store. I sold about a case of their books in the past 2 months. I also sell many of their supplemental products. If you read my entries on Inspiring Our Kids, listed on the side of my blog, you will find that I am a big proponent of inspiring our kids.

I was just saying there is a balance and I don't agree with all that the DeMilles have to say. I do believe that there are other ways to develop leaders than simply reading and discussing classics. My kids have their own businesses where they must show leadership qualities if they want it to succeed. Of course, I am guiding and cheering them along.

I have been striving to inspire my kids for the past year and a half. It is much harder to do EVERYDAY than it sounds. We have had many inspiring moments over the past year, but there is still a time for us to learn to do something, just because it needs to be done. I believe God wants us to develop endurance and strength in our kids, also.

Kerry

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June 21, 2007 - RE: Pros & Cons of Thomas Jefferson Education

Posted by Anonymous

Kerry, If I might use your words to describe my experience with TJED it would be this:
TJEd points out some great principles and ideas about getting off the conveyor belt, one of which is mentoring, which is one methoed used to train leaders instead of followers, another such method would be studying the classics. THEREFORE, I agree that parents should use a variety of educational approaches (lectures, videos, classics, mentoring, projects, research, etc) just as TJED espouses. I also believe that God gave parents to kids as authority and guides I've heard Dr. DeMille often say that "you (parents) are the experts in your home". Oliver DeMille says that he doesn't teach his kids anything until they "want" to learn it. This is such a biblical principle and I have tried to teach this to many who buy his book. The Lord commands us to be humble (teachable) so that we will really learn what He has to teach us. Until we are humble or are in want to learn what He has for us we will most often reject His words instead of live them. Dr. DeMille has said that the responsibility to get an education is the students and we as parents must inspire, lead by example and do everything we can to create a love of learning for that student so he will want to learn. God will force no man to heaven but He invites, persuades, stands at the door and waits for us to "want" to come and learn from Him. DeMille doesn't advocate shirking your parental duty to train up a child in the way he should go. Oliver is asking you to use the principles that God has given us all to create an atmosphere, environment, an attitude as well as the tools and principles that will invite our children to "want" to learn the things we want to teach them. Dr. DeMille has never said in the dozens of times I've heard him talk to not teach our children the things they need to learn. He has however, given example upon example and even used sarcastic quips like... he won't teach his children until they want to learn... to drive home the point that the best way to teach a child is when they want to learn and we as parents need to use the principles of good teaching to help our children want to learn.

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September 18, 2007 - learing when ready

Posted by Sue Maxwell

I disagree with your disagreement with what Oliver DeMille said. Here is my reason- I have the biography of one of my husband's great uncles, who became a great historian. His mother tried to teach him, unsuccessfully. But at one point, he found a geography book, and learned all he could on his own. Then he found a history book, and did the same. He went from subject to subject.

When he tried to go to Annapolis and study many subjects at one time, he tried so hard, that he lost his eyesight for a year. He could not do it that way. This was in the 1800's when you could do things the best way for yourself. He wrote many wonderful county history books, poetry books, and other sorts- he became a great man and found himself in his own way.

I believe my husband has the same kind of brainstyle, and he got pushed through the system, and too quickly. He did not do well, and has never thought well of himself, figured out who he is, or feel like he is intelligent. He missed out because others decided what and when he should learn. He has made many errors in judgement in life as a result, and now at the end of his life, he feels like he has had an unsuccessful life. What would have happened if he had had the opportunity to learn as the DeMilles propose? I think his story would be a success story.

Sue Maxwell

I think that Oliver's point is that if you push children before they are ready, then you will create a problem that is difficult to undue. I think this is even more imporant today

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September 18, 2007 - learning when ready

Posted by Sue

I agree with what Oliver DeMille said about waiting until someone is ready to learn. Here is my reason- I have the biography of one of my husband's great uncles, who became a great historian. His mother tried to teach him, unsuccessfully. But at one point, he found a geography book, and learned all he could on his own. Then he found a history book, and did the same. He went from subject to subject.

When he tried to go to Annapolis and study many subjects at one time, he tried so hard, that he lost his eyesight for a year. He could not do it that way. This was in the 1800's when you could do things the best way for yourself. He wrote many wonderful county history books, poetry books, and other sorts- he became a great man and found himself in his own way.

I believe my husband has the same kind of brainstyle, and he got pushed through the system, and too quickly. He did not do well, and has never thought well of himself, figured out who he is, or feel like he is intelligent. He missed out because others decided what and when he should learn. He has made many errors in judgement in life as a result, and now at the end of his life, he feels like he has had an unsuccessful life. What would have happened if he had had the opportunity to learn as the DeMilles propose? I think his story would be a success story.

I think that Oliver's point is that if you push children before they are ready, then you will create a problem that is difficult to undue. I am living with the results of that. I think this is even more imporant today when we have so many children who have brain chemistry problems, learning problems, and different styles of learning, and health problems, etc.

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A place to interact about teaching our kids without following the conveyor belt model of the government schools. Think outside the box and provide a leadership education for your children. Other musings are included on a regular basis :-)