This getting off the conveyor belt is a tough, scary proposition.  It takes all my courage even to suggest it to myself  let alone anyone else.  But I must admit it looks suspiciously like an adventure!  Even if I can get my own self to commit to such a leap it will require a change in actions (mine) over time to really make the break.  So, if I accept the challenge of getting off the conveyor belt then I am jumping into...phases.  These phases are not to be seen in a timeline fashion but perhaps more like a sphere.

The center of the sphere is aptly named the Core Phase.  This is where children (or adults) learn right/wrong, good/bad, and true/false.  Next is the Love of Learning Phase with a name that describes the phase itself.  These two are foundational.  If we were considering our model a pyramid, these would be the lowest level supporting everything else, the foundation.  The key words for these two phases are: home, love, work, play.   The foundational phases are essential to the leadership education and in fact the DeMilles assert that these are the basis of who a person is and "what he or she can and will become." (Core and Love of Learning: A Recipe for Success by Oliver and Rachel DeMille)

Proceeding through the foundational phases from the core of the sphere outward we come to the Scholar Phase and Depth Phase.  These are the educational phases.   The student is mentored rather than taught and learns from classics rather than textbooks.  Note that classics are defined as anything that is worth studying over and over; anything that will teach you again and again.  What caught my attention was that in the Scholar Phase the student begs to study for hours per day. Can this be true?! I don't have a clue about the Depth Phase because I am still stuck on this Scholar Phase.  Actually, I may be stuck on the Core and Love of Learning Phases; I am not sure. 

Beyond the educational phases we have applicational phases and the mission.  These are so far in the future and there is so much right here in the now that I haven't gotten much about these at all yet.  But I do know that the goal of Thomas Jefferson Education is to bring a person to the point where he or she is one who leaves an impact on his or her world. 

I think this is what I want for my children.  Can I pull it off?  I am not sure if I am ready to make the jump off of the conveyor belt yet.  I'll keep you posted.  In the meantime I continue to study and pray for God's leading.