Renegotiating in Love of Learning, Scholar, and Depth Phases

Can we renegotiate Core Phase lessons and still be a Love of Learner or a Scholar?

Yes, in fact we should still consider ourselves in whatever phase we feel we are in. It is true that someone with a lot of Core Phase lessons to learn may need to consider themselves in Core Phase for a time while they learn the lessons needed to have a well-rounded Core. This is only true if the person absolutely hates learning. The "aha" moment comes when one can see the big picture of how all the phases 1) build upon each other and 2) are always present to be used over and over.

However, for some, that seems to give them a license to "stay" in Core Phase until they achieve perfection. Frankly, that is not possible. We do not achieve perfection in this life. The important thing to focus on is progress. This means progress through the phases and into the next phase as quickly as we can. As adults starting our TJED journey, we need to make sure we are grounded with intact Core and Love of Learning Phases before moving on to a Scholar Phase without staying too long in a Phase. Once we get the lessons learned, move on to the next phase.

Determining Phase Level

The first job of a mentor is to determine our own phase. How do we do this? Study the Phases! Read the following books to understand the Phases of Learning (the order is important as well):

1. A Thomas Jefferson Education: Teaching a Generation of Leaders for the Twenty-First Century
2. Leadership Education: The Phases of Learning
3. Thomas Jefferson Education for Teens (do all of the exercises yourself!)
4. A Thomas Jefferson Education Home Companion
5. The Student Whisperer

It is very tempting to just read one book and get started. That's OK! Start where you are, just don't let yourself get frustrated until you have read and studied more. Most parents do not want to read Thomas Jefferson Education for Teens, but I promise you that if you are ready for Scholar Phase, you will be able and willing to do all of the exercises in the book. If you are not able and willing and just can't bring yourself to do it, then maybe you are in Love of Learning. That's OK! Now at least you have an idea where you might be.

I'm in ____________ Phase but have Core Lessons to Learn

This is the most common statement I hear when someone has learned all of the phases. They recognize that they are in Love of Learning or Scholar Phase, but have an unfinished Core. This is the case for most adults. It was the case for myself and most of my children as well. 

Most adults and older children find they do love to learn about specific subjects. This tells us that they are most likely in some form of Love of Learning. They have a zest for learning about their favorite subjects. Yet, the same person may find they have behavior problems or an inability to say...tell the truth....or maybe they struggle with staying motivated even when it is a subject they usually love. We know they have some Core Phase lessons to learn, but they are IN Love of Learning Phase.

Another example, an adult finds that they love to learn about several topics. In fact, they love these topics so much they get a headache trying to decide what they should focus on first. This tells us that they are most likely in some form of Scholar Phase. What they are looking for now is direction (see The Compass). Yet, the same person may find that when they study subjects they don't like they tend to ignore them or even say they studied them when they didn't...or maybe they have behavior problems in how they talk to their parents...or maybe they are very angry all the time. We know they have some Core Phases lessons to learn, but they are IN Scholar Phase.

Summary

We can see that moving through the phases is a continual process, not a checklist, where Core Phase is done...in fact it is never done. Neither is Love of Learning! If we lose our Love of Learning we need to go and find it. We are always working on Core and Love of Learning, and even Scholar phase, while we are in Mission. We can't lose those Phase lessons or we fall out of Mission Phase. They are always a part of us.