| Title | : | The Student Whisperer (Leadership Education Library Book 7) |
| Author | : | |
| Rating | : | |
| ISBN | : | - |
| Language | : | English |
| Format Type | : | Kindle Edition |
| Number of Pages | : | 270 |
| Publication | : | First published February 28, 2011 |
Like a master gardener, a great mentor, a Student Whisperer, knows how to set the stage for transformational experiences—as often as they are needed. She knows how to create the environment where such feelings and experiences are frequent, how to use such experiences to help us discover and improve ourselves, and even how to repeat and reinforce such feelings so that our motivation and efforts are sustained. A great mentor cares—and she is effective.
This book is designed to help you become a great mentor—a true Student Whisperer and leader at the highest level. It will also help you work effectively with such mentors as you pursue your goals and life mission. This book is part deep teaching of the vital principles of great Leadership Education, part self-help workshop, part example through parables, and part exploration of the great ideas that make mentoring and quality learning most effective at all ages.
This book is specially designed and organized with a dual
1. To help readers experience and recognize what it feels like to be greatly mentored
2. To concurrently outline the principles of great mentoring and help readers turn them into personal skills and even habits
The first part of this book (Book One, covering Chapters 1-5) is told as a personal narrative, and immerses readers in a series of life events as a student learns from her mentors and grows in the process. The intent is for readers feel what it is like to experience working with committed and demanding mentors as they go through Book One.
The second part (Book Two, comprising Chapters 6-16) contains information that is vital to becoming a great mentor (and to working with great mentors), and guides the reader through several exercises that help turn the concepts and principles of great mentoring into personal skills and strengths.
The authors have worked together (first in a Mentor-Mentee relationship, and later as colleagues) for nearly two decades—as many of the stories in Book One show. Oliver used the methods taught here in mentoring Tiffany and many other people, and Tiffany has applied and expanded on the same principles and methods in her mentoring through (The Leadership Education Mentoring Institute) LEMI for well over a decade.
Over the course of these many years, they have learned what works (and what usually doesn’t) through direct mentoring, and vicariously through mentor-protégées. This book imparts what they have come to understand of truly great mentoring—what they call Student Whispering.
Chapters 6-9 provide foundational information valuable for all mentors and those who are mentored.
Chapters 10-13 help readers throw off past biases about teaching and establish a transformational foundation for great mentoring. Topics
* The two major balances (first between the Manager and the Artist, and second between the Warrior and the Healer)
* The various voices nearly all students listen to, and how to speak the language of each most effectively
* Seven key questions Student Whisperers ask about each mentee
* How archetypes are central to great education and Student Whispering, and how to apply this knowledge as a mentor
Chapters 14-16 deal with further transformation.
The Student Whisperer (Leadership Education Library Book 7) Reviews
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So disappointing. I really don't have a thing good to say about this book, which is really sad, given that Oliver DeMille co-authored it.
However, since I never really got to the part he wrote I am sure I have made a premature and ill-founded judgment upon it.
Here's the problem(s) I had with it, which led to my inability to finish it (and I do hope to go back to the 2nd half of it someday when I've been properly washed clean of the gunk from the first).
-Mistakes abound. Some significant. How were they missed? Superficial, and yet hard to get over.
-Can you imagine how a cookie made with splenda, soybean margarine, rice flour, carob chips and egg powder might taste? Sure some people say it's better for you, but it's really pretty gross and some other people know these ingredients have a whole host of their own problems? Forgive the analogy, but Tiffany's stories held no real flavor or interest or nutrition for me. I found myself rather wanting to beat her over the head (and also those who begged her to "tell her story.") What story? All I felt coming from her was "I am, I did, I was, I do, I blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah blah. I, I, I." I really did ask myself the question, and quite seriously, if it was that I am "jealous" of her & her oh, so, mission oriented life or if she's really just kind of a dork. I do give her the benefit of the doubt in that she does have something important to say, but, to paraphrase the Hon. Gwendolyn Fairfax, "She doesn't say it." I should stop there. I don't have to, but I should. Truly, if someone had told me just to being with the second section after "Tiffany's Life Story" I would have probably done so with greater purpose.
-Capital Letters and Stupid Marketing Names (or whatever you call gimmicky things like student "Whispering." Goodness me, does anyone else get hung-up over reading way to many "The Call," "The Path," "The Roadblock," etcetcetc? It's just annoying.
-The idea of total sacrifice as a required ingredient to be a really great person. Did Oliver really say it was okay to lose family members on the path to greatness, if your "mission" required it? Did he really mean to truly compare handcart pioneers who lost loved ones along the trail to modern founders leaving loved ones behind in the quest for mission?? That just doesn't ring true to me, but perhaps I'm too content in serving in my own little sphere. My family's eternal salvation is the thing for me, and losing their souls while doing "what I was sent here to do" just doesn't make sense according to my understanding. I don't think it's meant to be a separate issue. Last time I read "Bleak House" I was very impressed by what Mr. Jellyby told Caddy when she was either just about to be, or just had been, married. "Never have a mission" he said. Now, I realize the difference here, but it is worth pondering if we're putting other things in front of our family's needs. Since I have a very firm conviction that my mission is to be raising my children the way I am endeavoring to do, I should be okay there.
-Weird mentor/mentee relationship. Seriously if a child-rearing question had me leaving my home in the evening to go ask another man's advice (assuming that man is not a family member or ecclesiastical leader) I think my husband would be a little weirded out. I like our current method of conferring together as husband and wife and taking it to God. That is not to say that they've got the idea of mentoring all wrong, but that in the book I only felt like I got a weird side of it. I really don't know that we all need "official" mentoring by some paid person. I do truly think God can pretty much cover all the bases for us and coach us pretty well if we ask and listen.
There's more, but I'll quit.
Sorry, truly, for the vitriol, but it obviously didn't strike me positively. -
I am halfway through this book which means I've only read Tiffany Earl's part. I have really mixed feelings so far. On one hand, I am annoyed by her writing. It's all about how much smarter she is than her peers, how much more studious she is than just about everyone, what she thinks about things- and this is all told in awkward sentence structures and the most scattered disorganized format I've ever read. I often had that feeling like when you go into the kitchen and start looking around for something but you don't have a clue what you're looking for or why you came there in the first place. I kept going back thinking I must have gotten distracted and missed the lead in to her next thought but I hadn't. It was just disorganized. I am still not sure why she wrote 75% of it.
On the other hand, I think it had some really valuable insights. Near the end she inspired me to want to learn more about the Hungarian Revolution, probably not the purpose, but it did. It helped me to pinpoint some of the issues I have with completing things, or at least identifying that there are questions to ask whenever I wonder if I should quit. She helped me to understand the heart differences in scholar phase vs. love of learning, which I think held a disconnect for me in the past. The mentoring dialog between she and Oliver were helpful and tied up some loose ends I have had with understanding just what this looks like. They were a bit over dramatic though, and I wondered a few times if it actually happened that way or was this retelling heavily influenced by Dead Poets Society.
Another reviewer wrote that she wondered if she might be jealous of Tiffany. I've considered this as well. I suppose I would like to be the smartest person around, picked out to be mentored by the creator of the school I attend, singled out in my classes because I am just so inspiring and wise.
I look forward to Oliver's part in Book II. Hopefully he can bring it all around and make me erase the first part of the review. -
I enjoyed this book. It's very inspiring. I had a hard time when I finished Tiffany Earl's section and moved on to Oliver's. Tiffany's style is a narrative and it's very interesting as she tells her story of growing, starting in scholar phase and pursuing depth in her college studies and then discovering her mission in life. So when I started reading Oliver's part it was harder because he doesn't tell many stories (only two that I could count, and they were very brief). He goes into the "how" of being a great mentor. Going from the first part of the book, Tiffany's story, to the second part, Oliver's section, is like changing from walking along a nice shady lane in a park with trees and flowers to having to run on sand barefooted. I had to slow my pace down to absorb his ideas. It wasn't fun to read his section like it was Tiffany's, but still good and worthwhile.
I wish he had applied his own advice that he gave to Tiffany and told the readers the why of why he does what he does. I also wish he had told his story as Tiffany did of his path from scholar phase to depth to mission. He has such a huge following, that his telling of his story would have be greatly appreciated. A lot more stories within his life story would have helped to make his points more digestible and memorable. -
Sorry everyone. I am getting uncomfortable with the emphasis on mentors and missions. Perhaps God can be our mentor and our mission could be being a mother? Just something to think about.... No lynch threats please.
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This book, while not written from a particular faith perspective, was a deeply spiritual experience for me.
In a season where I am becoming more attuned to the Holy Spirit's whisperings in my soul, the Spirit's incredible wisdom as the perfect Counselor, and the power and insight it gives to me as a person, a wife, a mother, a mentor, a friend, a homeschooling mom ... this was a timely read.
I am convicted by themes of committing to the hard, of staying in the call despite the many ways I'm tempted to shirk back or miss the purpose. I recognized the many ways I cheat myself of the gifts that come from the path by taking shortcuts because it doesn't seem worth it. I have renewed vision (in conjunction with Scripture I've been reading) for the pursuit of certain God-ordained relationships in the same way God pursues His people despite their sin, hard-heartedness, and rejection.
The questions, prompts and workshops for how to think about what you and your mentees need was powerful. The workshop sessions on the balance between Artist and Manager (ugh I'm a much stronger manager than artist blessed with two artist-leaning kids) and Healer vs Warrior were hugely helpful. Wait?! My kids most likely don't need a Warrior until when?!
So much to think about. I finished reading the few chapters without having done the exercises because I had a book club deadline, but I'm going right back.
Want to make a huge difference in the way you mentor those you mentor? (Whether that be formally, as a parent, grandparent or something else) Don't miss this book. It will make a big difference in the ways you can be intentional vs walking through life on autopilot. -
The Student Whisperer is more than a book, it's a process! In order to truly get any meaning out of it, you need to complete all of the exercises and make a Student Whisperer Notebook. I decided to gain all the wisdom from it that I can to not skip any exercises, thus it took my much longer to finish the book than I expected.
I was happy to see so much incredible information included, even to the point of being a little overwhelming. I'm sure that as I practice and use the exercises in my mentoring that I will gain a better of understanding for the "why" as well as the "how". Some things I was already doing without thinking about it, so I was happy to see that not everything will be new to me.
A few review I read were concerned with the lack of references to God. I think that it can be disconcerting to read "God or the Universe". I understand the author wants to reach all types of faith and religions. Sometimes it was a concern of mine as well, but I recognize the desire to not make this a Christian book. The information can be used for any faith or religion. -
This book is divided into two sections. In the first section you follow a student through the process of being mentored while in public school and on through four years of college. In the second section you learn what it takes to be a mentor to students. The ideas are strongly correlated to the philosophy of education described in Oliver DeMille's books Leadership Education and A Thomas Jefferson Education. I liked the concept that ideas are transferred over time in a genealogy of thought. I liked seeing the strategy of multiple questions to get at one answer as described in the first section. I liked the way the classics inspired the student to new ideas and higher goals.
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In true DeMille style (which he obviously passed on to Tiffany Earl), the message is a lot better than the presentation. But the message is definitely fantastic so it's worth the writing style.
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I thought that some of the reviews for this book were a little harsh. I think that the goal of the 'first book' was fairly well executed. Ms. Earl did a good job at trying to get the reader to know what it 'feels' like to be mentored. There were a few comments in the book that could have been taken as arrogant, but I don't think that was the intention of the writer. On the whole I came away from the first book as being inspired to some degree, for which I am grateful that I read it.
The 'second book' was perhaps a little to technical for me, personally. I came away from it feeling a little too overwhelmed at the idea of being a mentor, to anyone, really.
I appreciated the 'workshop' format, and the writing assignments and such, but on the whole, it seemed too complicated. Great mentoring takes hard work, sacrifice and dedication, but it's really fairly simple. Not easy, but simple.
Maybe it's like Scottish Country Dance, it's much easier do 'dance' it than it is to read about 'how' to dance it. -
This is one of those books that will not allow you to put it down. It took me all night to read it, savor the words and the message, evaluate myself, and peer into the future.
In the end of Chapter 5, Tiffany Earl shares an amazing, catalytic experience at the Museum of Terror. The struggle between liberty and evil is tangible, as is the Call to join the fight. Her words echoed the desire of my heart, and they bring tears to my eyes now as well as when I first read them.
I cannot wait to reread this book and take time to work out each activity. I give it five stars, because there's no option for ten. -
This book is a must read for anyone who is serious about mentoring others and especially for those trying to implement Thomas Jefferson Education in their homes.
I really enjoyed reading about Tiffany's experiences and the journey she has taken to become a mentor. It caused me to reflect a great deal on the experiences I have had in my life that have led me to the path I am on today.
I really appreciated Oliver's insights on how to mentor well. Being a great mentor requires a lot of thought and the exercises Oliver suggests doing will clearly help any sincere individual become a better mentor.
I am a better mentor for having read this book! -
THis book covers the idea that all children are geniuses and just need an insightful parent/mentor who is in tune to the child's personality, learning level, and desires. Included are charts to determine the type of mentor you are in comparison to the type the child needs and what approach you as the mentor should take to help them increase skills, overcome blocks/obstacles, stretch, etc. Co-authored by two people who really know their stuff about mentoring. I also discovered something about my son that I wish I had found years ago. Don't wait too long to read this if you are in any way guiding a child through education, projects, team sports, therapy, etc.
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I enjoyed reading about TIffany's road to a liberal arts education. It inspires me to be more specific in crafting what Diann Jeppson calls a master plan for our family's education. I didn't go through the Oliver's exercises in the back. Some of them I will go back and do. Others are too deep and long for my purposes. I didn't know that Hungarian students revolted against Stalin and had a wee of freedom before the tanks rolled in in the 50's. THis book makes me want to study up and then travel ('course I've always wanted to do that, but just a good reinforcer ;)
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I really enjoy this book. The first half is OK. Some parts were hard to get through for the simple reason that for the format (to my mind) it didn't make sense. I did enjoy the story, though. The second part of the book, however, is where the real meat of the book is. THAT'S the part I enjoyed the most. That was incredibly helpful and insightful, but you really have to do the work at the end of every chapter to get the results. I know that I will be taking several of these practices into my own mentoring.
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This is definitely the most powerful and useful book Oliver DeMille has written to date. I wish every parent and teacher in the world had access to it. I'm still processing it. I've read the whole thing, but I am still working on the last of the "homework" exercises. If you do the writing exercises, there is NO WAY for it to not substantially change your life.
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Finished first half - good, eye-opening account of Tiffany Earl's college experience in light of having a true mentor. Second half is about how to be a mentor to someone, and is written by her mentor, Oliver DeMille. Tiffany talks about adhering to CM philosophy in her writing, but the 'how-to' part seems not so CM-friendly. Should probably wait until I finish to pass judgement, though.
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I will definitely be reading this book over and over again. This time I just read it to get an idea of what student whispering entails. Next time will be more time consuming because I will be doing the exercises found in it and recording in my student whisperer journal. What a journey it will lead me to! What is my life's mission? Courage to do it!
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There were some good ideas presented in this book, but it was difficult to read because of the patronizing attitude of the author. It reads like an unedited story of the author's fantastic education and then transitions into the feel of a cheesy self-help book.
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Not what I was expecting. I thought it would help more with guiding children, but really only dealt with mentor phase, not any phases before that. The first half of the book was Tiffany Earl's own story. While interesting, it wasn't what I was looking for.
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LOVE IT!!
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The first part is probably 4 stars; Oliver's how to is 5.
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I really liked the first half, and only got a ways into the second half and just didn't feel like reading the rest...
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Loved it.
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I didn't really like it. It didn't feel like it was making a point to me and although I tried to preservere, I gave up 3/4 of the way through.
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Between 3 and 4, although I have not done the workbook section yet. The final chapter before the workbook portion was the most helpful for me.
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I really really wanted to like this book. I really wanted to learn from it.
