A Thomas Jefferson Education: Cultivating Leaders for the 21st Century

Is American education adequately preparing future leaders, or is it primarily focused on basic literacy and job skills? Are we settling for mediocrity in education, industry, government, and society by neglecting leadership education? Oliver DeMille addresses these critical questions in his book, A Thomas Jefferson Education: Teaching a Generation of Leaders for the Twenty-first Century, presenting an educational vision rooted in proven, effective methods. This approach, often called "TJEd" or "Leadership Education," has resonated with alternative educators, including those in private schools, charter schools, and homeschooling communities.

The Core Principles of Thomas Jefferson Education

At its heart, TJEd is more than just a curriculum; it's a lifestyle. It emphasizes mentoring and teaching children how to think and learn, rather than what to think. The goal is to cultivate a lifelong love of learning within an environment that encourages reasoning, questioning, exploration, and experimentation. This philosophy aims to develop individuals who are not only knowledgeable but also capable of independent thought, leadership, and moral integrity.

The method can work for all ages and abilities. In essence, the educational process becomes more organic as parents tailor-make lessons around each child’s passions and interests.

The Seven Keys to Great Teaching

Oliver DeMille's research into the education of great leaders like Thomas Jefferson revealed seven key principles that underpin effective mentoring:

Classics, Not Textbooks: TJEd prioritizes engagement with classic literature, primary source documents, and original works over contemporary textbooks. By immersing themselves in classics, students encounter timeless ideas and develop critical thinking skills. The classics, by introducing the young mind to the greatest achievements of mankind and the spiritual teachings of inspired individuals, prepare children to become successful human beings, parents and leaders in their own time.
Mentors, Not Professors: In TJEd, parents and educators act as mentors, guiding students toward their personal goals rather than simply lecturing. A mentor is one who helps each student develop an individualized program to achieve their personal goals.
Inspire, Not Require: Rather than imposing rigid curricula, TJEd encourages educators to inspire students by creating an environment rich in learning opportunities. The goal is to ignite a passion for learning and self-directed study. Force in learning kills the spirit, dampens the passion and destroys the zest and life of learning. Force trains followers not leaders.
Structure Time, Not Content: TJEd recommends structuring the learning environment to provide time for study, exploration, and creativity while allowing students the freedom to pursue their interests and passions within that framework. When we first started homeschooling, my friend who uses this philosophy as her guidepost encouraged me to create a rhythm to our day.
Quality, Not Conformity: TJEd values the pursuit of excellence and mastery in learning over adherence to standardized benchmarks and conformity to norms. With personalized mentoring, we need to expect great work. A tutor or a coach will always require quality and expect work to be done again and again.
Simplicity, Not Complexity: Keeping the educational process simple and focused helps to avoid overwhelming students (and parents!) and allows them to engage deeply with the material. Read, Write, do Projects and Discuss!
You, Not Them: Parents must model learning and embody the principles they wish to instill in their children.

The Five Pillars of Statesmanship

TJEd extends beyond academic learning, emphasizing the development of statesmanship - the qualities of virtue, wisdom, diplomacy, and courage that inspire greatness in others. The Five Pillars of Statesmanship are:

Read also: Thomas Jefferson on Education

Classics: Engaging with timeless works of literature, philosophy, and history.
Mentors: Learning from experienced individuals who can provide guidance and inspiration.
Simulations: Participating in activities that mimic real-world scenarios, such as debates, mock trials, and business simulations.
Field Experience: Gaining practical experience through internships, apprenticeships, and community service.
God: Incorporating a moral and spiritual foundation into education.

The Phases of Learning

TJEd prescribes a distinct approach for students of different developmental ages, known as "Phases." These phases correspond with the physical, emotional, and intellectual readiness for the lessons of each stage. While suggested ages are a general guide, individual exceptions may vary.

Core Phase (0-8 years): This is the foundational phase, where in the context of work and play, children define their concept of self, family and the beginnings of their worldview. The focus is on the development of character, family relationships, and a love of learning through play, exploration, and daily life activities. Formal academics are minimal during this phase. A child at this stage will play at and practice learning in the natural context of life. It is a time to provide a rich learning environment, in which the child interacts with and enjoys all things. It is a time to teach the lessons of right/wrong, good/bad, true/false.
Love of Learning Phase (8-12 years): Children are encouraged to explore their interests and develop a love for learning through a variety of subjects. The lessons of "Love of Learning" Phase: What's out there to learn? You're responsible for personal decisions. Personal accountability. Learning your gifts, interests, life's goals, mission. During this phase, the child will continue to explore their world, their interests, their skills by following their own interests. The time devoted to learning will gradually increase over these years. This is also the time to teach a number of life skills.
Scholar Phase (12-18 years): During this phase, students pursue more rigorous academic studies with greater depth and focus. They take on challenging projects, read classic literature, and work towards mastery in their chosen areas of interest. The time the young adult studies in this phase will be lengthened during the scholar phase. The child's chore responsibilities can be changed to reflect the change into longer, uninterrupted study periods.
Depth Phase (18-24 years): Students submit to a mentor-guided program, whether privately or in a formal college setting or a "mission". The seven lessons of depth phase: 1. Initiative 2. Ingenuity 3. Allegiance 4. Integrity 5. Commitment 6. Passion
Application Phase (Adulthood): During adulthood (or when your prefrontal cortex finishes developing!), where the student continues to self-educate. Once they reach middle age, they utilize their skills as leaders and mentor future generations.

Implementing TJEd: Practical Considerations

TJEd is flexible and can be adapted to the needs of each family. It encourages a collaborative approach where parents and children work together to create a learning environment that fosters growth, curiosity, and a lifelong LOVE of learning.

Homeschooling and TJEd

Homeschooling provides a unique opportunity to implement TJEd principles fully. The Thomas Jefferson Education (TJEd) philosophy of education emphasizes mentoring and teaching children how rather than what to think or learn.

Creating a TJEd Environment

Building a Home Library: Accumulate a collection of classic books and resources to inspire learning.
Establishing a Daily Rhythm: Structure the day to provide dedicated time for study, exploration, and discussion.
Facilitating Mentorship: Act as a mentor to your children, guiding them in their learning and helping them to develop their talents and interests.
Encouraging Discussion: Engage in meaningful conversations with your children about the books they are reading and the ideas they are exploring.
Providing Opportunities for Field Experience: Seek out opportunities for your children to gain practical experience through internships, apprenticeships, and community service.

Resources for TJEd Families

Oliver and Rachel DeMille have authored several books and resources to support families interested in implementing TJEd, including:

A Thomas Jefferson Education: Teaching a Generation of Leaders for the Twenty-First Century
Leadership Education: The Phases of Learning
A Thomas Jefferson Education Home Companion
Thomas Jefferson Education for Teens
The Student Whisperer: Inspiring Genius

Additionally, The Five Pillar Certification endorses an individual’s knowledge and ability in the Classics/Mentors approach to teaching leaders by incorporating all Five Pillars into an overall system of education. The 5 Pillar Certification program is divided into three levels to facilitate progress.

Read also: TESU Success Stories

Strengths and Weaknesses of a Thomas Jefferson Education

Like any educational philosophy, TJEd has its strengths and weaknesses:

Strengths:

Child-Driven Learning: Education is driven by the child, maintaining interest and motivation.
Individualized Approach: Allows for individual differences and learning styles.
Freedom to Explore: Provides freedom to develop at one's own pace and explore areas of interest.
Emphasis on Classics: Encourages the reading of great books and classic literature.
Discussion-Oriented: Fosters critical thinking and communication skills through discussion.
Strong Parent-Child Relationships: Builds close parent-child relationships through mentoring and shared learning experiences.
Parental Modeling: Parents model learning and actively participate in the education of the child.
Avoids Burnout: Reduces the need for parents to create artificial learning experiences.

Weaknesses:

Lack of Textbooks: The absence of textbooks may be a concern for some parents.
Requires Parental Involvement: Requires significant parental involvement and commitment.
May Not Align with Standardized Testing: May not adequately prepare students for standardized tests or traditional academic settings.
Potential for Misinterpretation: The principles of TJEd can be misinterpreted, leading to an unstructured or ineffective learning environment.

TJEd vs. Other Homeschooling Methods

TJEd can be contrasted with other homeschooling methods, such as Charlotte Mason:

Structure: Charlotte Mason espouses structured, planned learning time vs. unstructured learning with lessons in specified areas of study, such as Art Study, Music Study, Geography, History, Nature Study, Poetry, and Shakespeare.
Habit Training: Habits and character training are more strongly emphasized in CM with the goal of establishing full attention and best efforts in the students.
Living Ideas: The goal in CM is to expose children to living thoughts and ideas.

Is TJEd Right for Your Family?

TJEd may be a good fit for your family if you:

Desire an approach that doesn’t depend on a curriculum but still provides a rigorous and quality education.
Value individualized learning and the development of leadership skills.
Are willing to invest the time and effort required to mentor your children.
Believe in the importance of classic literature and primary source documents.
Want to cultivate a lifelong love of learning in your children.

Read also: Affording St. Thomas Academy

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