A Thomas Jefferson Education: Teaching a Generation of Leaders for the Twenty-first Century

Very few books can reach into your mind and heart and be the catalyst to making concrete changes in your daily life. A Thomas Jefferson Education is one of these powerhouses. A newer version has been released and I recommend you start with that one. But prepare yourself to challenge the way you have always thought about education and start an exciting, new journey - for yourself and your kids.

Before adopting this theory of education, I hoped that pulling my daughter out of school and home schooling her would give her a hope of graduating from high school, and with some part of her self esteem intact. Collage was something I had given up on. After about 6 months, we are still struggling to follow the path set forth in the book. It is, after all, a complete lifestyle change as well as an education. (It is me who struggles, not my child.) Now I wonder how far she could go. Collage is not only a possibility, but a sure thing, if that is what she chooses. I see no limits to the possibilities. If you have read "Dumbing Us Down", and you should, you know that "school" is not "education". This book tells you what education is.

Van Demille argues that even though there are many quality teachers in the school system, the quality of educations has suffered from a reliance on curriculum, pedagogy, standardized tests, rote memorization, and a "conveyor belt" mentality that has lowered expectations to an unacceptable level. As a College Professor, I require my students to read this book. They need to step out of their perception that the institution or instructor is responsible for their education and realize that the responsibility lies with them. Parents should also understand this principal and not blame the school or teacher for their child's poor performance. In my Critical Thinking and Reasoning courses, the student's reflection essays enthusiastically endorse the concepts described by the author as they come realize why they struggle with college level requirements. I endorse the concepts of Van Dmille's thesis to anyone interested in why some individuals rise to leadership positions while others do not.

My theories, hopes, expectations, and dreams for homeschooling our children are all laid out in this book. It has classic book lists in the back divided by age range (Dr. Seuss is on the list!), step-by-step instructions for how to become an effective mentor to your child or classroom, and succinctly and interestingly describes the current failures of "traditional" classroom methodology. (I'm a former public school teacher, and I agree from experience!) The only place I disagree with the author is in learning a foreign language - he states we should read a classic in the target language and discuss it. Reading don Quijote in Spanish to anyone who doesn't already know Spanish, will sound like gibberish...So to get a head start on your young one knowing a second language try Workbook and CD like Flip Flop Spanish instead. Otherwise, this book is quick and extremely informational to read, and in another year, I look forward to testing its theories in our daily practical lives!

A Thomas Jefferson Education is perhaps the most important book published in the field of education in at least 20 years. It is based on the educational method that George Wythe used when he taught many of the founding fathers (George Wythe was the teacher that taught Thomas Jefferson, John Jay, James Madison, and over 20 other Founding Fathers (Senators, Representatives, Governors and Judges). Clearly, George Wythe was a key man behind the scenes of the birth of the USA and the Consitiution.The method used to educate Thomas Jefferson (and all great leaders throughout history) is simply this:1) Classics and Mentoring2) Depth and Breadth3) Quality and ApplicationDeMille notes: "Whatever the culture, look at its greatest leaders and you will find that they were 1) guided by at least one mentor and 2) made a lifetime study of classic works."So, what does this imply about our current school system based on standardized textbooks and tests, tests and more tests? It is just a "conveyor belt" preparing us for mediocrity ("a job").Get this book and learn how to mentor your children with the Classics so they will have a chance of making a difference.A Thomas Jefferson Education = LEADERSHIP Education.