A Thomas Jefferson Education: Teaching a Generation of Leaders for the Twenty-First Century [Paperback]

Oliver DeMille (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 1, 2009

Is American education preparing the future leaders our nation needs, or merely struggling to teach basic literacy and job skills? Without leadership education, are we settling for an inadequate system that delivers educational, industrial, governmental and societal mediocrity? In A Thomas Jefferson Education: Teaching a Generation of Leaders for the Twenty-first Century, Oliver DeMille presents a new educational vision based on proven methods that really work! Teachers, students, parents, educators, legislators, leaders and everyone who cares about America's future must read this compelling book.

Editorial Reviews

Review

As a cofounder of Acton MBA, I believe our future rests on how we inspire the next generation of leaders to educate themselves safe from the meddling of assembly line schools. Oliver DeMille's book, A Thomas Jefferson Education, has reminded me that master teachers believe that each child who walks into their classroom is a genius, waiting to be discovered. --Jeff Sandefer, Founder and Faculty Member, Acton MBA, A Princeton Review Top-3 Program

Oliver DeMille voices the need for a generation of leaders to be thoughtfully trained in our homes today. This is a message that homeschoolers need to hear! I don't know when I've seen another book that communicates with such clarity, purpose and vision the powerful potential of homeschool. I find myself nodding my head and marking passages that sound like something I might have said--and DeMille says it so well. TJEd gives clarity and purpose to the decision to homeschool, and a template that can be applied by any family to achieve their goals. I refer to it often as a handbook to help me further my own studies, and highly recommend it to anyone interested in quality education. Parents, teachers, and students alike will be energized by this exciting book. --Rebecca Kochenderfer, author of Homeschooling for Success: How Parents Can Create A Superior Education For Their Child; Senior Editor, Homeschool.com, the web's #1 homeschool site & Forbes "Best of the Web" Top 45 winner

Oliver DeMille voices the need for a generation of leaders to be thoughtfully trained in our homes today. This is a message that homeschoolers need to hear! I don't know when I've seen another book that communicates with such clarity, purpose and vision the powerful potential of homeschool. I find myself nodding my head and marking passages that sound like something I might have said--and DeMille says it so well. TJEd gives clarity and purpose to the decision to homeschool, and a template that can be applied by any family to achieve their goals. I refer to it often as a handbook to help me further my own studies, and highly recommend it to anyone interested in quality education. Parents, teachers, and students alike will be energized by this exciting book. --Rebecca Kochenderfer, author of Homeschooling for Success: How Parents Can Create A Superior Education For Their Child; Senior Editor, Homeschool.com, the web's #1 homeschool site & Forbes "Best of the Web" Top 45 winner

About the Author

Oliver DeMille is the founder of George Wythe University. He and his wife Rachel have eight children.

Product Details

• Paperback: 198 pages
• Publisher: TJEdOnline.com; First Paperback Edition edition (September 1, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1615399917
• ISBN-13: 978-1615399918
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6.1 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (57 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #42,683 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Oliver DeMille is a founder of The Center for Social Leadership, and the author of A Thomas Jefferson Education, 1913, FreedomShift and The Student Whisperer - among others.

He and his wife Rachel are the developers of Thomas Jefferson Education, an educational philosophy and methodology for building mission-driven leaders.

Oliver is a popular author, keynote speaker, and consultant. Presently, he devotes a majority of his time to writing. He and his wife Rachel are raising their 8 children in southern Utah.

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

40 of 41 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful Ideas, However... September 10, 2011

By Song Girl

Format:Paperback

As someone who used the TJED method for 4 years (and continues using ideas from this book) I feel that others ought to know the pros and cons I have encountered in following this homeschooling method. I had to rate it 4 stars because I like it and feel that there is a lot of valuable information here which can be implimented with any homeschool method, however, I wouldn't recommend using TJED as a method on it's own or following every idea to a "T".

The main ideas of the method are: "Inspire, Not Require" which means that we inspire our children to learn, instead of forcing them. "Read, Write, Discuss" which means that you will be active in their education, reading to them, reading the same books they read, using writing and discussion as the true test of whether they understand the material (no tests). "Lead by Example" which means that you ought to put forth an example of continually learning, yourself, whether that means reading enriching material, taking a class, or pursuing a degree. "The Child is the Text Book", which means that the child should be given choice in what they will learn and be able to pursue their interests. "Read the Classics", which means to use wonderful, appealing books in any given subject or topic, instead of text books.

The method is divided into 4 phases of learning, all of which are self-driven: "Core Phase" (ages 0 - 8), in which children's education is focused on family life, morals, creating and discovering. "Love of Learning Phase" (ages 9 - 12), in which children learn skills simply by pursuing their own interests (it is said that most children want to learn to read and start some math during this stage).... "Scholar phase" (ages 12 - 16), in which children take more interest in wide ranges of subjects and choose topics of study to read and discuss with you, the parent. "Depth Phase" (ages 16 - 22), in which teens have discovered their life's work and pursue this with a mentor, either in college or elsewhere.

I used this as my only method during the Core Phase years and found that I kept wrestling with the feeling that my children weren't getting enough in their education and that I felt concerned and embarassed when my children didn't know the things other chidren knew. I think the Unschooling ideas can be used effectively at certain times in a child's life, for self-motivated children, or in younger years, but in general I think children need some structure and someone to guide them because they don't realize all the things they're going to need to know in life and there is so much to learn and so many things to experience. Since the author recommends not using check-lists or schedules I felt really unsure of where we were headed and how to help them learn something in a step-by-step manner. It became very stressful for me at times.

I have since changed methods, but still use ideas from this book. I believe all of the ideas have some relevancy, but according to your best judgment and the individual needs of the child at the time. I feel that my children and I benefited from this method in that they are truly interested in learning and discovering. They love science, history, geography, art, and music, and they are fairly motivated to get their school work done each day. We have an enjoyable time learning these subjects together, instead of having a great division between teacher and student. We have discussions about the things we learn, instead of doing tests, and that has made our schooling more fun. I have gathered a library of wonderful, appealing books for my children and find that they will read educational books in their spare time.

I recommend reading this book and using the ideas that you find helpful and inspiring, and leaving it at that. Read more ›

65 of 75 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Even better than the first! April 7, 2006

By Senora Gose VINE™ VOICE

Format:Hardcover

I received this book just this weekend - and have already devoured the new chapters - all very good additions. I noted that many of the little errors have been corrected, and the book is just beautiful - hardback, with a lovely dust jacket - and a nice black bookmark! Classic! All that said, my review still stands from the first edition:

I can give the education of our patriots to our children!
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, - a new way of thinking for me, for sure! - and in another year, I look forward to testing its theories in our daily practical lives!
Sra. Gose
Author of Flip Flop Spanish: Ages 3-5: Level 1 & Flip Flop Spanish: Ages 3-5: Level 2

16 of 16 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars Extremely valid perspective on the condition of education.... July 13, 2009

By Math Mom

Format:Hardcover

For the record, DeMille CLEARLY and REPEATEDLY states that it is irrelevant where your child sits [whether it is at public, private or home school] to get the inspiration & fundamental tools of learning; and that TRUE education is not teaching WHAT to think (teaching to a test) or WHEN to think ("professional" training), but HOW to think. That is exactly what our young people need to learn! What a valid and refreshing objective in the current environment where "feelings" are taught to over-rule thought.

"Conveyor belt learning" for instance, is a mindset first followed by the approach that has led to the decline in literacy rates & rankings. As such, DeMille does not attribute the dysfunction only to government schools as LDS has asserted. Rather, he outlined/demonstrated the pros & cons of all learning environments and how all can fall under that category.

If LDS has indeed read this book and/or is a home school dad who did due diligence before deciding to home school (which looks doubtful after his review), then he would admit & understand this. Anyone can pick paragraphs here & there (out of context), make assertions/assumptions and then criticize for pete's sake. Perhaps he should read it again...this time slower.

Whereas I think DeMille's emphasis on the "classics" was a bit beyond what we work on with our children, his points were no less valid and his solutions were proven & attainable for ANY parent [again] regardless of their child's official learning environment.

I believe this is a must read for anyone looking to explore and/or apply different educational approaches based on the needs of their child(ren).

38 of 44 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Positive solutions - FINALLY! April 22, 2007

By A. Taylor

Format:Hardcover

Where do I begin? Incredible book, well written, easy read, inspiring on every level, LIFE CHANGING - you won't want to put it down once you open it!

If you have kids you need to read this book before they are schooled another day. If you don't have kids and you have accomplished any level of education (GED to PhD) this book is a must read. If you are a teacher or educator of any kind - again, a must read. You're life will never be the same!

2 years ago, I personally heard Dr. DeMille speak at a conference in CA and as he spoke it was as if someone had turned the lights on and I could finally see my kid's education AND my own clearly. I went out and bought the book (the first edition) as soon as he walked off the stage. As soon as the 2nd edition (this one) came out about a year ago, I bought 4 copies - one for our house, one for my parents and 2 to loan out.

"I've got a college degree but never liked school all growing up" - heard someone say that before? We all know there is something wrong with the current education system, but it's difficult to put a finger on just what it is. Everyone points blame in a different direction and at the end of the day nothing has been resolved and we're asked to throw more tax money at the problem we can't define.

This book is refreshing! It's positive, optimistic and finally explains where the breakdown occurred and continues to occur. It gives SOLUTIONS - hallelujah! Its premise is brilliant and simple all at the same time. After reading it you will want more for yourself, more for your life, more for your children and more for our country. You'll have hope again.

That's what it did for us.... After reading this book, my husband and I decided to implement a Leadership Education in our own home and it's been exciting to watch our children respond and get excited about learning. Even if you can't homeschool your children, you can learn from the philosophies in this book and make their education the kind you only dreamed about growing up.

If I had the money, I'd buy a copy for everyone I know, every college student and every parent walking aimlessly around at homeschool fairs. Enrich your life and your grandchildren's...leave the legacy you want to leave...BUY THIS BOOK! Read more ›