Book #47

Ever since I attended the TJEd homeschool convention in Salt Lake City a couple of years ago and saw the youth present their scholar projects, I knew that I wanted my kids to be a part of something like that.  I knew that there were a few ways for them to participate in scholar projects--online or commonwealth school--and I felt that a commonwealth school would be the best option for us.  Unfortunately there isn't a commonwealth school close to me.  That meant that I would have to begin my own.  I signed up for trainings and learned the steps to get one started in my community. 

At the same time I was doing this, another mom from this area was thinking the same thing.  She started a gathering project (the first phase) and invited parents to attend.  This went on last year.  We read and discussed books looking for principles of leadership.  I knew that it would still be a couple of years until we were ready to start the founding phase of the commonwealth school . 

In the mean time, I decide to start looking into commonwealth schools in other areas.  There are 2 in the Mesa/Gilbert area (about 1 hour away).  Both Jonathan and I felt that joining one of them was the right step for our family.  He loved the idea of being around like-minded homeschoolers and I loved the idea of getting hands-on training.  I made contact with the 'president' and she helped me get a feel for the school and their philosophy.  I originally volunteered to mentor a love of learning class, but was later asked to co-mentor a scholar class.  Braedi will attend that class with me and the other kids will be in love of learning clubs or core classes.  I also joined to board in hopes of learning more about how to run a commonwealth school (there is soooo much to it). 

There are 2 downsides to the whole thing.  One is the drive.  A drive that far, that early in the morning will be tough on me and the kids.  The other is the day.  The school meets on Thursdays--the same day as our homeschool group.  I decided to tell the homeschool group that I would only be able to commit to one day a month (the day of our book club).  I didn't want to have to stress about getting back to the other side of town in time and I think the commonwealth school will meet most of our social needs. 

Knowing that I had to tell my group about my decision, I started preparing myself to be able to explain what it was that I was doing instead.  I read "The New Commonwealth School" by Analadee Milne and Tiffany Earl.  I learned that a commonwealth school is built by a community of families who want to change the direction of education.  "The mission for our New Commonwealth School is to create an environment in which families of like culture can study the classics and become great citizens through devotion to learning more about and gaining a greater vision of our country and ourselves, and to reinforce our allegiance to our God."  I reviewed common myths about education and read about the phases of starting a commonwealth school.  I have told a few people about what we are doing, but I haven't gotten any questions or comments. 

Though I feel a bit overwhelmed with this endeavor, I know it is the right path for us to be on. 

Book #13

What is Leadership?  According to Chris Brady and Orrin Woodward, the authors of Launching a Leadership Revolution, leadership is “the influence of others in a productive, vision-driven direction and is done through the example, conviction, and character of the leader.”  They believe that a leader empowers, helps others to fix problems and serves others.  The book is educational.  It teaches the reader how to master the skills needed to become a true leader. 

I follow the homeschooling philosophy found in A Thomas Jefferson Education called Leadership Education.  When I try to explain to people what the philosophy is or how we teach and learn in our home, I struggle to make it come out right.  I say that it builds leaders, that it teaches how to think instead of what to think, that it uses classics instead of text books and brings us face to face with great people from history.  I get a few confused looks, but people will mostly let me do what I want to do.  Even though I have faith in the philosophy and am following the keys, I question my understanding of how to train a leader.   I also wonder if I am capable of being a true leader.  This book, though, has given me additional insight on what a leader is and does and aligns with what I already know. and believe.

Mr.’s Brady and Woodward teach that there are steps to becoming a leader and even certain skills that must be learned before one can climb those steps.  A person must be hungry (be motivated), be hone-able (teachable and changeable) and be honorable. 

They then introduce the Cycle of Achievement—the importance of having a vision, setting goals, making a game plan, working to achieve goals and seeking counsel.  This is kind of like having a mission, then making goals to fulfill that mission and using a mentor to help and guide. 

After learning these foundational qualities, a leader is ready to climb the steps.  The authors introduce 5 levels of influence(the steps to becoming a leader)—learning, performing, leading, developing leaders, and developing developers of leaders.  They say that a leader never leaves the skills of the previous step as they move to the next--"a leader picks up new abilities while accumulating and expanding his or her influence."  I love the idea that a leader should always be learning and that a job of a leader is to train more leaders. 

I have many areas where I am a leader (some by choice and some by calling), and I am at different steps in each area.   As I read I saw areas where I could improve and become a better leader.  For example, I am a reader and am constantly learning, but I think an area where I need work is performing.  I want the things I learn to lead to action.  "Proper thinking is the foundation of proper actions, and proper actions are what give birth to performance."  The book is filled with historical examples of leaders who went through the steps. 

 

A leader's visions outlive them.  They do things that change the world.  I've learned that the best way to change the world is start with yourself.  Then help those around you change.  I am changing the world--one person at a time. 

Transistion or Growth?

I am taking a Leadership Education Family Builder class.  Actually I am co-facilitating with my sister-in-law, but I do everything that everybody else does in the class.  The only thing different for us is that we lead the discussions.  (Which is new to us and we are still trying to figure out the best way to do it, but we are I am learning a ton!)  The classes meet once a month and each month we have a list of task/assignments to complete.  One of the assignments for July was to write a paper or teach someone about the transitions between phases.  Here's mine:

What are the signs of transition from one phase to the next?  Oliver DeMille says “you never actually leave Core Phase, or Love of Learning Phase or the others, once you have reached them.  Students in Depth Phase still apply the lessons of Core, Love of Learning and Scholar.”  Knowing that, I would say that one doesn’t transition into the next phase, one grows.  But there are a few signs to look for that shows one is ready for the next step in learning. 

A Core phase student builds a foundation for learning.  He learns right and wrong, good and bad, true and false and builds relationships through work and play.  He will eventually play in ways that look like learning.

After a solid Core phase a child will logically move into the Love of Learning phase.  Here he will fall in love with learning and study anything that interests him.  As he continues through this phase and is surrounded by an inspiring environment he will begin to do more independent projects and spend more time reading and studying than playing. 

Then he will be ready for the Scholar phase.  In this phase he “begins a rigorous, disciplined survey of classic works and real life application.”  He willingly studies subjects of his choosing for 8-10 hours a day and submits to a mentor who will help him understand the importance of other subjects. 

After gaining a scholar education, a student is ready to move into the Depth phase.  This is usually done at a college or university with a more demanding mentor.  Students with solid Core, Love of Learning and Scholar phases will be prepared to become leaders and statesmen during this phase.

These phases occur over the course of one’s childhood--from birth to young adulthood.  If the environment is right and the keys are applied the growth between phases will be natural.