Have you ever heard of a paradigm shift? Basically to sum it up it is a shift in attitudes and values or the way you look at the world or certain situations?
I have definitely had one in the education realm.
Stephen Covey defined it best in his book "The 6 Events". He said one night he was riding on a subway and there was some annoying kids acting up. Playing rough, being loud and abnoxious. Covey could not figure out why the father was sitting quietly without disciplining his children. He was getting annoyed and began to talk to the father. The father then turned to him and said something like. I am so sorry we just came from the hospital where my wife passed away, I don't quite know what to do either. This experience caused an incredible paradigm shift for Stephen Covey
(as you can imagine).
I think when you are learning and growing you experience paradigm shifts constantly. Some of these shifts might rock your world... I have had a few that have rocked mine. I do know for sure that if I feel like something is right I have no problem stepping out of the norm to go with my conscience... Is there any other way? I am not here to please anyone, I am only here to follow my heart.
I am not saying that I think home school is for everyone..... but I know that taking the responsibility of MY children's education into my own hands is one of the best decisions I have ever made.
I am glad to be in Colorado for this one reason. Where I grew up in Utah everyone went to public school. Not so much here in Colorado. You can take your pick of public, private, charter, art schools, home school or whatever. I have met a fabulous group of women that I get to rub shoulders with. These women are all involved with the "Thomas Jefferson Education" philosophy in some way. They read and study along with their children, they teach classes in the community and write books? (Who knew).
To sum it up in just a few words "A Thomas Jefferson Education" follows the model of the education of great leaders of the past. Read the history books and you will find that the majority of great leaders had a couple things in common.
1- they studied the "Classics"
books that contain truth and principle, words that were written by the great minds.. And
2- they had great mentors
someone that inspired them to learn, and LOVE TO LEARN!
Here is a link on the Thomas Jefferson Education
So when I got to reading about this type of education I WAS ALL OVER IT! I personally love to learn, and I am passionate about learning.
Learning to me is about discovering truth, eternal truths and principles, the kind of information that you need to understand in order to find joy in life and discover your purpose...(Thoreu knew it, Emerson, Einstein, Thomas Jefferson, Mother Teresa, Ghandi and so on)
But you say.....
"...‘How will they learn to read?’ you ask, and my answer is ‘Remember the lessons of Massachusetts.’ When children are given whole lives instead of age-graded ones in cellblocks, they learn to read, write, and do arithmetic with ease, if those things make sense in the kind of life that unfolds around them."
--John Gatto"New York State Teacher of the Year" in 1992
Basically you have to read a few books to understand this type of philosophy. First read "A Thomas Jefferson Education" by Oliver DeMille also
"Market Based Education".
I know what you are thinking??? It is the same question that everyone asks me with a worried look on their face. WHAT ABOUT THE SOCIAL ASPECT OF SCHOOL?
Well I say "It all depends on what you want them to be socialized in". The whole world is our classroom, we talk to people, we meet people, we get together with kids, they play with their friends etc. The whole concept behind this type of education is to "INSPIRE...NOT REQUIRE". I am not trying to keep my kids away from anything. If they want to go to school I will let them... They can choose for themselves my job is too just inspire them to love learning and point them in the direction of their hearts.
So there you have it....did I shock you?
Watch this.....Click here
Just something to think about
6 comments:
Ali, You ARE a surprise. I know that anything you set your mind to you will do well. I remember when a friend of mine quit her job to home school her grandson who was having trouble in school. It was a great success! Good luck.
Thanks Debbie!
I've seen both sides. We had some strange people in Paradise that ripped their kids out of school and basically made their own driver's licenses and refused to pay taxes. Their kids, not so normal.
My next door neighbors in Oregon and some of my favorite people in my ward up there had thriving home schooled children.
So I get it, but I'm not quite selfless enough to do it myself. Good for you.
Yay Ali! You will do awesome!! Basically weird people usually beget weird people--I don't think it has much to do with home school :) I can't wait to benefit from all of your insights. Best wishes!!
You are awesome Ali! Like another poster said, you will do great at whatever you set out to do. That is just the kind of person that you are! Good for you for seeking out great literature and for following your heart. More of us should do the same! As always, you are an inspiration & I love that you don't just settle for what the majority sees to be popular. You base your decisions on much thought, accumulated knowledge, and you fuel it with that passion of yours. I love it.
Good luck with everything!! :)
Ali-I haven't seen or talked to you in so so so long! However one day i stumbled across a link to your blog via Jared's facebook page. And then he no longer existed on facebook and then I totally just remembered your blog address just today-the point is I love it, and I am so completely interested in the fact that you are homeschooling your kids-please tell me more! My email is littlebugnoble@gmail.com. Oh and congrats on the new babe!
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