Stories That Inspire. Voices That Lead.
Real families. Real transformation.
Discover how Leadership Education has changed homes, strengthened relationships, and awakened a love of learning around the world.
Why These Stories Matter
Leadership Education is more than a model — it’s a movement.
Every story shared here reflects a family who chose connection over conformity, inspiration over pressure, and purpose over rigidity.
We hope these stories remind you:
You’re not alone. And this journey is worth it.
a*“I have read TJEd twice, and I LOVE it! Oliver DeMille voices the need for a generation of leaders to be thoughtfully trained in our homes today. This is a message that homeschoolers need to hear! I don’t know when I’ve seen another book that communicates with such clarity, purpose and vision the powerful potential of homeschool. I find myself nodding my head and marking passages that sound like something I might have said–and DeMille says it so well. “TJEd gives clarity and purpose to the decision to homeschool, and a template that can be applied by any family to achieve their goals. I refer to it often as a handbook to help me further my own studies, and highly recommend it to anyone interested in quality education. Parents, teachers, and students alike will be energized by this exciting book.”
“Now, having applied for several years— albeit imperfectly—the “Seven Keys…”, along with many other ideas gleaned from the TJEd book and related materials, my children are thriving. They really don’t know or care what “grade” they are in, and they never say the word “schoolwork” (except by accident). We “study” as a family, and the “Love of Learning” phase is truly exciting. “My older children have been successful in Great Books programs in college, and I, myself, have taken time to read and study more than I ever would have thought possible. As you might imagine, I am profoundly grateful to Oliver DeMille and his co-authors for opening this world of educational thinking, life to me. It is now my great privilege to be able to speak to parents and teachers around the world, and help them rebuild their education paradigm, pointing them to the same source of wisdom that I was so fortunate to find.”
“I am so grateful for the principles taught in A Thomas Jefferson Education! Because of that book, I’ve had five of my children home with me for the last two years now, and the ‘detox’ process has paid off tremendously. “Our home is more peaceful, and the children have learned to be independently creative, finding fascination in the simplest things. I feel that if the world were to fall apart all around us today, I’d be at peace knowing I followed my own instinct, and because of it, our family has developed a greater feeling of unity, and a higher awareness of God’s greater purpose for our lives. To me, that’s leadership training.”
What Families Are Saying
From overwhelmed beginnings to confident leadership — these stories show the real impact of Leadership Education.
Discovering Stories
Finding permission. Finding peace. Finding joy in the journey.
When I first discovered TJEd High (LeaderEd High), my children were still too young to participate. Now, years later, I'm thrilled that they're finally ready to begin this journey with you. It feels like a full-circle moment—our family has been inspired by your approach to homeschooling from the very beginning, and now we get to be part of this community in a whole new way.
Recently, I stumbled upon my old notes from "Gift from the Sea," which I read back in 2015. Flipping through those pages brought back such vivid memories. I had just finished reading "A Thomas Jefferson Education" and was brimming with excitement about diving into the classics for the first time. I wrote about wanting to join the "great conversation" and hoping I could stick with it.
The truth is, before TJEd, I believed the classics were reserved for exceptionally smart people—people far more intellectual than me. I thought they would be too difficult, too dense, too... much. But TJEd gave me the gentle nudge I needed to take that first step.
Now, ten years later, I've immersed myself in so many wonderful books that have enriched my life in ways I never imagined. My perspective has completely shifted. I no longer see the classics as intimidating or out of reach. Instead, I've discovered my own genius through them. My life has been forever changed for the better.
Thank you for the good, important work you do. You inspire more people than you know—including me and my family.
Jillian O
I wanted to share something magical happening in our family. About a year and a half ago, we welcomed my niece into our home permanently. She's five months older than my oldest daughter, and she came with trauma and baggage—including her public school experience.
We homeschooled her, focusing on a reset and lots of Core phase. After patience, boundaries, and a 9-day family reset, things shifted. She began enjoying our read-alouds and found meaning in the books I chose for her. She decided on her own to attend early morning seminary.
This spring, after watching my oldest daughter's studies, my niece asked to do TJEd High! After working on it over the summer, she's genuinely excited about learning—arts and crafts, herbology, mycology, Shakespeare, writing group. This weekend she told me she's "SO EXCITED to learn EVERYTHING!" She just told me she forgot how much she loves reading and stories.
This transformation came from Leadership Education principles and the TJEd High! (LeaderEd High) program. I'm working on my own education alongside her, and our family is proof that these principles work. We're in it for the long game.
I wouldn't have had the confidence to stay the course without these teachings. You've changed her life.
Thank you from the bottom of my heart.
Melissa B
When I first discovered TJEd, it was everything I had longed for but couldn't articulate. With my kids still young, I was able to focus on Core Phase while simultaneously diving into my own Love of Learning and Scholar Phase. Finding the right path was incredibly reassuring, though I'll admit it felt overwhelming at times.
I started by reading A Thomas Jefferson Education and following Appendix F - Putting Thomas Jefferson Education to Work. This gave me a solid foundation to build upon. I was also fortunate that the convention was just starting, and attending gave me invaluable exposure to where I was at in my journey while providing vision for where I wanted to go. It was the perfect way to kickstart my TJEd experience.
From there, I embraced Mentoring in the Classics (MIC), and last year, as my kids transitioned into the Love of Learning phase, we began our journey with the Young Statesmen/Stateswomen Society (YSS).
Now, reflecting on how far we've come, I feel so confident in both my own journey and my kids' paths. I love the fresh talks at the convention each year, but I also deeply appreciate all the past convention content that's available.
I consistently return to older talks and discover what I missed in previous years or what I'm now ready to hear in this season of our life.
This journey is truly transformational. To me, the TJEd resources are classics in themselves - I gain more from them each time I return to them.
Tanya B
I'm writing to express my gratitude for years of mentorship that shaped my journey in ways I didn't fully recognize until recently.
I'm currently serving as a service missionary for my church and yesterday, after seeing off my Trainer at the airport, I found myself alone in our study room. I pulled out an email you'd sent me months ago—one I'd printed and brought with me. As I read through it, memories and emotions flooded back. I started writing down thoughts, parsing phrases, remembering the context of when I first received it. I pondered and sought inspiration.
Thank you—for the mentoring, the advice, the confidence you showed in me. Above all, thank you for believing in me and seeing my potential before I could see it myself. Just like God does. Just like my family and close friends do.
For a long time, I wished for some grand, personal, writing-specific mentor to notice me and take interest in my work—or for me to find them and earn their attention.
The truth is, I had my mentor all along. I just wasn't wise enough yet to see it.
I hope all is well with you, your family, and TJEd. My life has been profoundly shaped by my association with you all, and I look forward to continuing that relationship in whatever form the future takes.
Grateful, yours, and still as hopeful as ever,
Joseph B
Support Stories
Supporting leadership. Strengthening the home.
I used to read authors with a critical eye, always looking to argue and point out errors. But that has completely changed.
Now, I seek to understand what authors got right, their context, and their contributions to ideas. This shift from a scarcity-driven mindset to an abundant one has transformed my reading experience.
The result? My insights and enjoyment of reading classics have improved dramatically. This new perspective has truly changed how I read everything!
V.C.
When I was exploring educational options for my son Teddy, I looked at everything from traditional private school to various online programs. What stood out immediately about TJEd High! were the mentoring videos with Ian and Emma—Teddy was truly inspired by them in a way I hadn't seen with other programs.
TJEd High! (LeaderEd High) has been exactly what I was hoping for. The content meets Teddy perfectly, aligning with his learning style and needs. What's especially impressive is how the flexible track system allows him to customize his learning experience while maintaining the high standards of classical education I was seeking.
Teddy is successfully managing TJEd High! while also pursuing specialized trade school studies in Mechatronics. The program's flexibility makes this possible without compromising the quality of his education.
I can confidently say that TJEd High is exactly what I was expecting and hoping for him. The content is meeting him perfectly, and I couldn't be more pleased with our decision.
JT
Experienced Stories
Going deeper. Elevating the home culture.
TJEd High (LeaderEd High) is really great because you get to read classics from a wide variety of places, you get mentoring from successful people and you get to meet new friends and discuss with them. It pushes you to think deeper about the books and find out more than you would have thought was in them if you just read them on your own.
Kenyon W, age 15
Honestly, as an educator, long-time TJEd homeschooler and mentor to other homeschooling families that this program is the curriculum of Great Education and leader training.
Kids are inspired weekly to challenge themselves, to take ownership of their education, to think about and prepare for their missions and to lead. The books are hand-picked, rich and engaging, but challenge them just as much as they’re ready for. They learn to think deeply about themselves and the world. And they learn to write well, which is a surprise benefit!
I love that it meets kids wherever they are in their journey and inspires them to improve and do more. My son and I have incredibly rich discussions about the books and debriefs, typically pulling in a variety of subjects, life lessons and other Great Classics!
I recommend this to all the families I work with and in my community of thousands of homeschoolers!
Kami W, mom
Two years ago, when I started TJEd Depth (LeaderEd Depth), I viewed the world through a lens of pessimism. I had an ideal vision of what "should" happen, but the chaos around me made it feel like a losing battle. My focus narrowed to the micro level—raising my own family to understand the value of freedom and truth.
Now, two years later, I'm cautiously optimistic. I've come to see that even those I once considered "the other side" are thinking human beings who want to live freely and raise their families. Across the globe, people in oppressive nations are rising up, recognizing that freedom is fundamental to human existence—not something granted by governments.
I've gained a clearer perspective on the bigger picture. Those quiet, contemplative nights remind me of what truly matters amid the chaos. While uncertainty remains, my worldview has shifted in a more accurate and hopeful direction.
Sarah P
Leadership Stories
Building community. Inspiring others.
After my husband Alfonso, our son, and I attended the TJEd Convention in 2021, we felt inspired to start Heart & Mind Tutoring. We began in our living room with just two children, helping a single mom who needed support for her son. What started as a simple yes to serve one family has grown into a thriving tutoring service with 13 students who have rediscovered their love for learning.
We've watched children who once showed no interest in school transform into focused, enthusiastic learners. Parents tell us they can't believe the changes they see.
Using the TJEd model has allowed us to inspire each child individually, and we're grateful to be part of their educational journey.
Yazmin & Alfonso T
Being involved in my community on many levels I am constantly meeting people who realize there is something missing in society but, they’re not sure exactly what we have lost. I give them a copy of ‘The 4 Lost American Ideals’ and ask them to come back and tell me what they think.
“People are hungry for direction on what to do, and this recording is a wonderful introduction to the need for Leadership Education for themselves and especially for the children in their lives.
Ann A