I thought maybe I'm feeling unsettled due to all the changes, but I realized the other day that I was feeling unchallenged educationally. I found myself looking at degrees and universities. Oh, I'm reading books like Plato's "The Republic" and Plutarch's "Lives", but I'm still lacking in peers to study with. It dawned on me that what I am lacking the most is a mentor. I couldn't find people in Flagstaff and I'm definitely not finding people here to interact with on the same level.
I decided to return to the trusted "Leadership Education" book to see what I can find to help. I immediately knew when I opened my book and flipped through it that I need to read about Depth Phase again. I realize now that I need to get busy with a solid Depth Phase. I've been messing around, staying safely in Scholar Phase for a few months now. My biggest problem is....drum roll...money!
Depth Phase is about a high quality mentored education. I cannot afford any of the options I've found. When I mentioned getting student loans to go to George Wythe University my husband about had a heart attack! Not because he does not want me to persue my education, but because we are at a point where I need to work. He does not see how I can go to college, work, and educate our children at home without me having serious health issues (not to mention a mental breakdown!)
I agree with my husband...it is just not possible for me at this point to go to college.
My second thought was some of the online mentoring offers, like from Dr. Shannon Brooks, but again the issue is money. I don't have any! *sigh* If you know of any FREE solutions, I would love to hear them.
Do you qualify for grants or scholarships that would cover just one class a semester/quarter? Surely it seems like there would be a scholarship for a mom who home schools? There are other ways to get educated besides college. You are a great example to us for that with just what you are doing with your kids! If I were in your shoes, I'd probably make a list of everything in my head, the different roads I could go down to help myself feel more challenged. Being a visual person, I can see the different ways that could be fulfilled. You may just get a calling to fulfill that... :-)
ReplyDeleteOh, one more thing, try to involve people of different cultures and religions-you'll learn faster that way!
ReplyDeleteThere is a reason that Shannon Brooks takes students to mentor. I am going to let you in on a little secret, in learning you hit a road block unless you yourself become a mentor. These people only continue to learn by teaching. They hear fresh perspectives and ideas and gain further insight themselves because of it. Think about it, do you really think it is as easy to have a conversation about your own points among collegues who are set in their ideology? No, the ones who can be convinced or can do the convincing of better ideas are the new fresh ideas flowing from students. I know that you are teaching the kids, but how about starting a book club? Start a society to study certain subjects. They may seem like inferior ideas to you at first, but if you do the mentoring you may just find yourself being mentored in the end! You will have to share your thoughts and feelings and have the courage to open up to people without holding back, but you will be rewarded in the long run. There is a quote, I forget who by that states "If you give people enough time they will surprise you." Goodluck!
ReplyDeleteWell, I didn't mention all of things I am already doing to mentor others, just because this post was really not about that. I am in the process of scheduling home education speakers for our area over the months of Sept. thru Dec., also in Sept. I have a book club starting and a Freedom Scholar's club for youth...so I will continue mentoring plenty when Fall comes. I just didn't write about that part of it all. Thanks for the ideas though!
ReplyDeleteI do not think I can handle much of a college schedule anyway with returning to work substitute teaching 1-2 days a week, the things I mentioned above, and educating my kids at home.
The university I want to attend does not have traditional grants and loans...it is not accredited, which is another problem in itself and part of the reason I am hesitant to go there even though I know the education would be outstanding.
It sounds like a great amount of the mentoring and projects you are doing though revolve around homeschooling and youth. I understand that they are great thinkers, but I was meaning more along the lines of other adults who have different lives, come from different backgrounds etc. You said a great many of the women in your area have their batchelors degree or higher, why not start a group with them? You could hold political discussions or even start a volunteer service project together.
ReplyDeleteActually, the speaker series and book club are for adults and they are open to everyone. Everyone meaning any religion, any race, and not just limited to home educators. The speaker series will be one speaker a month on various topics for freedom and education. I'm very excited about some of the people we have coming. More about that later as we get the details worked out.
ReplyDeleteThe only thing I'm doing with youth is the Freedom Scholars club, and of course, my own family.
The area is not full of educated women, in fact, when the question was asked of the women in our ward how many had a degree of any kind, only three of us stood up. I feel there is great potential to have things in my area, but people are...I'm not sure how to say it tactfully...I guess WARY would be the best answer. Trust has to be earned and I'm new. They are friendly, but not willing to trust me, an outsider, just yet. The counsel I was given by a great friend and mentor, Rachel, was that I need to give it a year before I expect very much. As it is right now, I am organizing these things with people that have been here and are respected, so that is the only way for me to get my foot in the door right now.
Another thing to remember is that educating people about education is also educating them about freedom. Education is Freedom...so when I put my efforts into this it is because I know that by educating people we are protecting our freedoms.
ReplyDeleteHansonpatch - I wish you would have taken advantage of the classes, seminars, and support groups in the area where you live. I think you would be able to see the correlation then. I know you have chosen a different path than home education now, but you can still attend those offerings through HIPArizona. You would learn a lot!
I have always appreciated your knowledge in managing a household, and in child rearing. As far as Liberty and the accounatability required to maintain it, I would make a better teacher than student. This is because I do not see it one sided as many do. Like the founding fathers I can learn from History not only the beauty of something, but its fragility, and its potential for abuse. I could argue, and prove my intelligence in this area, but it would be futile at this point in time. As for passive agressive comments, I'm not interested, thanks.
ReplyDeleteThat darn money thing! I am right there with ya' about that! There's never quite enough, and us moms always put ourselves last. I don't ever regret that, but it sure would be great to pursue EVERY important thing! I have learned INCREDIBLE and INVALUABLE information through HIP! I feel like I have light years left to learn, but I am on my way! Celeste, thank you for your example and your willingness to share all that you know and all that you are learning with us, through your blog! I always learn something great here! :)
ReplyDeleteSomething happened to two comments that people left on this post. I "published" them last night but they still are not here. Sorry to Ranee and Hansonpatch. I did not delete them. Maybe Blogger will still kick them out.
ReplyDelete