Perhaps you are considering becoming a community Director, yet the prospect of doing so scares you. While you might not think that you have the necessary experience or knowledge to direct a community, you might be surprised. Amanda Butler, a homeschool mom and Classical Conversations Director, believes that Directing is really not all that different from parenting your own children.
Insights:
- Leading a community is like leading a home.
- In both a home and community, you are helping children learn to respect one another.
Leading a community is like leading a home.
The first way that Directing a community is similar to parenting is the way in which both a community and home are led. For instance, Amanda likens a Director’s supply list to a common grocery list and arranging times for tutors to meet with Foundations or Essentials students to arranging playdates between your children and their friends.
In both a home and community, you are helping children learn to respect one another.
Just like you encourage your own children to respect one another by listening to instead of talking over what each other has to say, a common occurrence at the dinner table, Directing also involves teaching the students to respect one another. This is mostly the case in Challenge discussions, as one of the Director’s roles is to remind students to listen to each other’s opinions before spouting out whatever it is that’s on their own mind.
How can I apply this to my life?
In summary, there are lots of similarities between Directing a community and parenting. If you are considering Directing but don’t feel quite up to the task, think again! You’ll be well prepared from your experience in leading your own children at home.
For more encouragement and answers to your questions, visit our blog or our video series Ask a Homeschool Parent.
