A Thomas Jefferson Education

The Seven Keys of Great Teaching

DeMille proposes seven principles:

• Classics, not textbooks — Read the original great works
• Mentors, not professors — Learning happens in relationship
• Inspire, don't require — Motivation must come from within
• Structure time, not content — Set the schedule, let curiosity drive study
• Quality, not conformity — Pursue excellence, not standardization
• Simplicity, not complexity — Focus on what matters most
• You, not them — The educator must be a learner first

Where It Aligns with Classical Education

DeMille's emphasis on Great Books, mentorship, and the formation of character resonates with classical education's core commitments. His "phases of learning" parallel the Trivium's developmental stages.

The book has introduced many families to the power of reading classics together and discussing them seriously.

Why It's Worth Reading Critically

Some classical educators critique DeMille's approach as too unstructured, particularly for younger students. Others find his emphasis on inspiration over requirement idealistic. But his core insight — that education must form leaders, not just informed citizens — aligns with what classical schools aim to do.

Read this book for its vision, then combine it with the practical structure of the classical curriculum.