What is Leadership Education?
Leadership Education at a Glance
Leadership Education is about helping each person discover, develop, and polish their unique genius.
Rather than asking, “What should every student learn?” it asks:
“Who is this person, what are they capable of, and how can we help them become the best version of themselves?”
Leadership Education seeks to develop:
- A strong core and healthy relationships
- A lifelong love of learning
- Solid thinking and learning skills
- Self-direction and personal responsibility
- A meaningful personal mission and desire to contribute
The Phases of Learning
Learning doesn't happen the same way at every age. Children naturally move through different phases, and education is most effective when we work with the phase rather than against it.
1. CORE
“I am safe. I am loved. I belong.”
The foundation for everything that follows.
Children learn:
- Right and wrong
- Responsibility and work
- Relationships and family
- How to make choices
- Through play, exploration, family, stories, music, and example
The goal: Build a strong foundation of love, security, character, and connection.
Core never really ends. We continue strengthening it throughout life.
2. LOVE OF LEARNING
“I want to know EVERYTHING!”
This is the WHY? HOW? WHAT IF? stage.
Learning still feels like play. Children naturally explore, experiment, ask questions, and jump from interest to interest.
Learning might look like:
Reading • Writing •Creating • Building • Cooking • Discussing • Exploring
The goal: Protect and grow the child's natural curiosity.
Don't turn a Love of Learning into a Hate of Learning by pushing academics before the child is ready.
3. SCHOLAR
"I'm ready to own my own edcuation and submit to a Mentor"
The student begins choosing to study, think deeply, and take responsibility for their education.
They develop:
- Reading & writing
- Critical thinking
- Discussion & argumentation
- Focus and study skills
- Responsibility
- Self-direction
The goal: Move from “Tell me what to learn” toward “I want to learn this.”
4. DEPTH / MISSION
“I have something to contribute.”
Learning becomes increasingly self-directed and purposeful.
The individual:
- Identifies areas of passion and strength
- Develops expertise
- Creates personal goals
- Seeks mentors
- Uses their talents to serve and bless others
The goal: Discover and pursue a meaningful personal mission.
The Scholar Phase
YLA Scholar School primarily serves students in the Scholar Phase, often beginning around ages 12–14—but age alone doesn't determine readiness.
A 12-year-old may not yet be ready for Scholar Phase, while another student may be ready earlier.
The Scholar Journey
PRACTICE → APPRENTICE → SELF-DIRECTED
| Practice Scholar | Apprentice Scholar | Self-Directed Scholar |
|---|---|---|
| “I'm learning how to learn.” | “I have something to offer.” | “I know where I'm going.” |
| Practices scholar skills | Takes more initiative | Creates their own plans |
| Builds focus & responsibility | Follows through on commitments | Has strong self-discipline |
| Still moves between study & play | Begins leading others | Seeks deeper expertise |
| Needs significant guidance | Needs less external direction | Seeks mentors and ownership |
The progression isn't about age. It's about growth in maturity, initiative, responsibility, and self-direction.
The 7 Keys of Great Teaching
Leadership Education emphasizes how we educate, not just what we teach.
1. Classics — Not Just Textbooks
Learn directly from great thinkers, writers, artists, historians, philosophers, and other original works.
2. Mentors — Not Professors
A mentor doesn't simply deliver information.
They know the student, understand their goals, and help them create a path forward.
3. Simple — Not Complex
Great education doesn't have to be complicated.
Simple systems can produce deep learning.
4. Structure Time — Not Content
Provide structure, schedules, and accountability while allowing students increasing ownership over what they study.
5. Inspire — Then Require
The ultimate goal is for students to choose the hard work because they want the growth, rather than relying entirely on external pressure.
6. Quality
Don't settle for “good enough.”
Students learn to revise, improve, and pursue excellence.
7. YOU
Perhaps the most important key:
Be the example.
Take your own education seriously.
Be curious.
Keep learning.
Pursue excellence.
Invite students to come along for the ride.
The Big Idea
To develop self-directed, capable people who know who they are, love learning, and have something meaningful to contribute.
READ MORE ABOUT TJED & LEADERSHIP EDUCATION HERE