Lead Out

Last night we had a simulation at our combine Shakespeare and Key of Liberty Parent Night. It was the first one that I made up from scratch and I had no real way of trying it out first to see if it would be successful. To add to my insecurity, both the parents and students would be participating.

A simulation, for those who have yet to participate in one, is an experience in which the participants take on a role in a fictitious setting. This type of learning is hands-on and very enlightening since you are actually experiencing first hand history, life, leadership, etc. Whereas reading a book or watching an educational program is more of a third person, somewhat removed experience. Simulations can be powerful because you learn crucial aspects about yourself, for example, how you react in different situations, but in a safe environment. That way if there is something you don't like about yourself, you can take steps to improve before you are placed in a situation where it is too late.

In creating last night's simulation, which was really quite simple, I had to think of a need or purpose, create a scenario and environment for that scenario, create roles and gather materials, devise a time bomb that would help the experience come to a climax by adding pressure for the students to act and lastly prepare to conduct a debriefing where the participants share their individual experiences. The last part is the most critical since it helps students to see their experience through other's eyes, to share insights and epiphanies they may have had and to go deeper into what principles made the experience so meaningful.

I realized while brainstorming and using people as sounding boards for my ideas that I felt very vulnerable. I wanted everyone to have a meaningful experience and for my purpose to be accomplished--I just wanted something I knew would work! So many times when we become a leader in whatever capacity, we put ourselves out on a limb. We open ourselves up to criticism and even ridicule by leading out.

Last night I learned (while watching the participants feel that same vulnerability I felt in creating the simulation) that if you don't take that risk then you will never know if you will succeed. I knew this already but it was reinforced by my experience. The fear of failure sometimes paralyzes us from acting. I love Thomas Edison's perspective on failure. He said,"Results? Why, man, I have gotten lots of results! If I find 10,000 ways something won't work, I haven't failed. I am not discouraged, because every wrong attempt discarded is often a step forward..."

Next time I feel that vulnerability, I will change my perspective from worrying I will make a fool out of myself to being excited that I have an opportunity to grow and learn--a step closer to the person I want to be.

Messy

I feel like I am in a mess! I'm not talking about my house being any messier than usual, just my life. I am in the process of implementing new ideas and fine tuning old ones. I should look at it as if I were cleaning out a closet...it always gets messier before you see the floor.

Here's what I'm changing or trying to:

*First I posted about schedules. That post was really pretend. I have only had one day since then that I actually followed it close enough to my liking. I'm still refining that one. The day we actually had "blanket time"--I LOVED it! I could actually read a book and I learned how to knit (well started to anyway...my daughter was reading over my shoulder just now and gave me a questioning look ; ). That is a definite keeper. I'm finding it all comes down to my self-discipline which is quite frankly gestating right now.

*I started to be a little Lazy copycat. I have implemented her morning and evening cards and I'm LOVING them. The cards help me teach the little ones what they need to learn to do by themselves and provide an accountability for the older ones who are perfecting these skills. Like everything new thing I begin there is a learning curve. It took us a week to get the routine down. I'm working on consequences to encourage prompt action.

*I am maintaining the two closets I have gutted out and organized--my master bedroom closet and the homeschool closet. Upkeep is far easier than my signature Zorro way of cleaning.

*I don't think I've mentioned quite enough lately how LEMI (Leadership Education Mentoring Institute) has enhanced and improved my life. The latest is Tiffany and Aneladee's conference call on "The 5 Levels of Communication". Can I say WOW!? I listened to it for the first time last year but this time I heard it. They outline five levels that we navigate when communicating with others. The fifth level is where our needs and the needs of our loved ones and/or those we mentor are met. Getting to the fifth level takes trust, humility, stillness and LISTENING. Let's just say I am working out a muscle somewhere deep in my ear that hasn't been used near as much as it should.

*I'm also loving and taking care of plants in my basement. It is so exciting for the kids and probably mostly for me to see them sprout and watch them grow. Positively healing after the snow we received last night! With my past gardening history I am concerned for their welfare. Will they survive? Will they help me to be a more careful and diligent gardener since I've known them since birth? I will keep you posted on their fate.

These are a few of the concepts and ideas I'm wrestling with. I'm beginning to see that this whole process is really LIFE. Life is messy and we are blessed enough to see a glimpse of godly order here and there and strive for that. I am a fighter and will always strive for order...it's my Zorro way : )

Create Community

Rachelle DeMille shared this video clip at a Thomas Jefferson Education Conference last year. I was really touched by the message. When applied to education this clip speaks volume about our roles as parents. We need to create a strong community of educated adults to mentor our children! We cannot do it alone...

Leadership Education Mentoring Institute

Last weekend I attended an amazing training called Liber Community Series with LEMI, Leadership Education Mentoring Institute. It was INCREDIBLE! There were about 24 people I had never met before in the training and I left that weekend feeling like I had known them for years! This sense of community was created in such a short time through experiences that I will now be able to take into and recreate in my own community.

In the manual it states the following:
The Liber Community Series is empowering families and communities by:

1. Encouraging a progessive Scholar Phase* while teaching abilities and skills needed for its success; in preparation for a broad and deep study of the classics.
2. Teaching and encouraging principles of leadership.
3. Offering a peer enviornment that encourages growth of knowledge, understanding and character.
4. Providing mentoring and tools for individuals who desire to influence the cause of liberty through education and virtue.

*Scholar Phase is "a readiness to apply a new level of effort to personal and academic achievement through a process of commitments and accountability" (definition taken from A Thomas Jefferson Education: Teaching a Generation of Leaders for the Twenty-first Century by Oliver DeMille).

We were immersed in experiences such as oral exams, writing workshops, book discussions, and oral presentations that required us to dig deep within us and share our personal growth with each other. It was beautiful to watch each other struggle with a concept and come out with greater understanding of it and of ourselves. I encourage you to check out the LEMI Website for more information about their mission and how they accomplish it!