Breakout Sessions

Fostering the Habit of Attention: Practical Strategies for Engaged Minds

Cultivating the habit of attention is essential to unlocking a child’s ability to learn. In this workshop, we will explore how living books ignite curiosity and foster a love for learning. We will also discuss several other practical strategies to strengthen this vital habit of mind. Join Nicole to discover how these methods nurture focused, engaged learners, transforming both their education and personal growth

Teaching Science in Middle School and High School

Can a science education built on living books truly prepare students for life beyond homeschool, including possible university study? In this workshop, we will consider how the various parts of a Charlotte Mason science curriculum fit together in the middle and upper years to cultivate both wonder and scientific literacy. You will see how this approach helps students grow in admiration for the natural world while also developing the knowledge and habits needed for thoughtful, informed engagement with modern science.

Nicole Williams

Nicole Williams is the founder of Sabbath Mood Homeschool and the

creator of living science and nature study curriculum that helps
families discover the beauty of science and nature through living
books. For more than seventeen years, she has guided parents and
teachers in applying Charlotte Mason’s philosophy with clarity,
confidence, and wonder.

A longtime homeschool mother, Nicole draws from her experience
educating three children and four adopted siblings, including
students with learning differences. Her work is marked by both
practical wisdom and deep empathy for the varied challenges families
face. Through her curriculum, workshops, and speaking, she helps
parents and teachers cultivate attention, curiosity, and meaningful
learning in their homes and classrooms. Nicole is also a co-host of A
Delectable Education, a long-running podcast on Charlotte Mason’s
philosophy and method, now in its eleventh year.

A Day in the Life of the Literature-Based Homeschool

How can reading books all day possibly count as school?

Most families arrive at homeschooling with a version of the same question: how does this actually work? This session walks you through a real BookShark day. BookShark is a literature-based curriculum that weaves history, science, and language arts together through carefully chosen books, creating a day that feels connected rather than fragmented.

You’ll see how kids stay engaged without a classroom structure, and you’ll leave with a clear, honest picture of what this approach looks like in practice, whether you’re just exploring your options or ready to take your first step.

Jenny Wells

Jenny Wells spent 12 years homeschooling her three children, which means she has lived the beautiful, messy, book-filled reality she will be discussing in this session. As a BookShark Curriculum Representative, she brings both the experience of a homeschooling mom and the perspective of a trained educator with a Master of Education in Educational Studies.

Jenny‘s background includes three years of classroom teaching and a deep belief that the right story, read at the right moment, can open a child’s whole world. She lives and writes in rural Northern California, where she is passionate about literature-based learning and the kind of education that feels less like school and more like life.

Joy in the Journey

Homeschooling often starts with a beautiful vision-but somewhere along the way, it can feel overwhelming, messy, and not quite what we imagined.

In this honest and encouraging session, you’ll be reminded how to find joy not in perfect days, but in the real, everyday moments of homeschool life. As we walk through the different seasons of motherhood-from the little years to the teen years-you’ll see the purpose, growth, and beauty in each stage.

This session is both practical and encouraging-you’ll leave feeling refreshed, with simple, doable ways to:

Let go of unrealistic expectations
Find balance in the middle of full days
Embrace the season you’re in
Rediscover joy in both the hard and meaningful moments

If you’ve ever felt stretched, discouraged, or just unsure along the way, this session will remind you you’re not alone-and help you see the joy and lasting impact being built in your home every single day.

Christina Carpenter

Christina is a Pacific Northwest native now rooted in the Midwest and the mother of two dynamic girls and two lively boys. Alongside her husband, she finds joy in curating family memories through travel and everyday adventure. She has been home educating for 14 years and has graduated her first child, and is currently home educating a high schooler, a middle schooler, and an elementary-aged child.

Passionate about home education and cultivating intentional family culture, Christina is committed to helping moms thrive with vision, purpose, and joy in their motherhood journey. Through coaching, workshops, book clubs, and conferences, she encourages women to embrace motherhood as a sanctifying path of growth. A literary enthusiast, she delights in bold coffee, spicy Thai food, and characters like Amy March, who reflect her bold and tenderhearted nature.

GPS (Goals, Priorities & Strategies)

Have you ever looked at your homeschool and felt like you were just going through the motions without any thoughtful intention?

In this workshop you’ll learn how to craft a goal driven, child-specific road map to empower your kids to take responsibility and direction for their education with the “GPS” system. This tool will help you and your kids define goals, determine the actions needed to achieve them, and give you a straightforward way to hold them accountable.

Catherine Lamb

Catherine is wife to Andrew and homeschool mom to five girls. Her homeschool journey began in 2019 when she pulled her oldest girls out of school to better support their individual needs and spend more time as a family. At that time, Catherine retired from the daily operations of the real estate business she owns with her husband. She is a real estate investor and hobby farmer who loves adventuring with her family, reading, drinking lots of coffee, backyard bird watching, and CrossFit.

Chill Out

It’s so easy to let other people’s educational expectations and requirements get in the way of homeschooling our kids. We hear what the schools are doing, we see what other parents are doing with their kids, we see the bells and whistles of all the curriculum, and we start to feel like we’re not doing enough. And when we start feeling that way, we start reacting. Worry enters the homeschool. Anxiety enters the homeschool. Pressure enters the homeschool. And all those beautiful things that were guiding us in the first place start to fade. That’s why when people ask me for homeschooling advice, the number one thing I say is to chill out. Come learn how to chill out and how doing so helps to create a peaceful and life-giving homeschool.

Unschooling Teens

While many parents can “see” how to unschool younger kids, they get bogged down by fears, worries, and confusion when it comes to the teen years. They begin to second-guess the philosophy and oftentimes throw in the unschooling towel altogether. However, the teen years happen to be one of the BEST times to unschool. Learn what unschooling in high school looks like and how to make sure your teens get a full, incredible, personalized education.

Amy Hughes

Amy is a writer and speaker from the central coast. She has 9 kids and has been homeschooling/unschooling for 16 years. Amy is a contributor to Wild + Free, a homeschooling and parent coach, and the queen of awkward silences.

Discipling Your Teens and Other Dangerous Endeavors

To disciple or to discipline, what do your teens need? While closely
related, discipling focuses on spiritual formation and coaching
whereas disciplining addresses correcting misbehavior. Although
teens need both, homeschooling provides unique opportunities for
parents to be more intentional about the former so that the latter
need not be as severe. Learn from a seasoned homeschool parent with
videos from her now-adult children. Discover strategies to help your
preteens and teens become the leaders our world desperately needs.

Memorizing to Think

It is not uncommon to meet teachers or parents who dismiss the
value of having children memorize content. On the other hand,
homeschooling communities understand that memorization is
a foundational skill. Children who are taught how and what to
memorize will be more prepared to become excellent communicators
and thinkers. This workshop provides ideas for selecting content,
motivating students, and ensuring long-term retention to equip
students for better creativity and learning in future years. It’s never
too late—or early—to start!

Julie Walker

Julie Walker was a schoolteacher and homeschool leader for many years. She and her husband home educated their three sons. After their youngest son graduated, she returned to school, completing her MBA at Biola University. In 2007 Julie began working with IEW, where she has produced, directed, and helped to write many IEW video-based programs, including the Structure and Style® for Students video courses. She currently hosts the popular Arts of Language podcast with Andrew Pudewa. Although she relocated with IEW to Oklahoma from California, Julie finds many reasons to go west, including visits and adventures with her grandchildren!

Reading Struggles and the Role of Visual Processing

Many children who struggle with reading have been taught phonics but still read slowly, lose their place, or struggle to recognize words quickly. Often the missing piece is visual processing, how the eyes and brain work together to interpret written information.

Visual processing affects skills such as eye tracking, visual discrimination, letter recognition, and visual memory. When these skills are weak, reading can feel frustrating and exhausting even for capable learners.

In this session, you will learn:

• The 9 warning signs of visual processing challenges
• The visual skills children need for efficient reading
• Why decoding alone is sometimes not enough
• Practical ways to strengthen visual processing while teaching reading
• Tools and strategies that support struggling readers
• How an explicit, systematic, multisensory approach improves results

Parents will leave with practical strategies they can begin using immediately.

Spelling Struggles and the Role of Auditory Processing

Many children can read words but struggle to spell them. Often the challenge is not effort or intelligence but how the brain processes sounds in language.

Auditory processing plays a critical role in phonemic awareness, sound discrimination, and the ability to connect sounds to letters. When these skills are weak, spelling, decoding, and word recall become much more difficult.

In this session, you will learn:

• The 9 warning signs of auditory processing challenges
• The auditory skills children need for spelling and decoding
• Why some children struggle with spelling even when they can read
• Practical ways to strengthen auditory processing during reading and spelling instruction
• Tools and strategies that support children with sound-processing difficulties
• How an explicit, systematic, multisensory approach strengthens literacy skills

Parents will gain practical methods they can apply immediately at home.

Bonnie Terry

Bonnie Terry, M.Ed., BCET is a board-certified educational therapist and learning disabilities specialist with over 35 years of experience helping students overcome reading, spelling, dyslexia, ADHD, and other learning challenges.

While running a private learning center in Auburn, California in the 1990s, she developed practical teaching methods that helped her students make such noticeable progress that parents and teachers began asking what she was doing differently.

Today, through Scholar Within, Bonnie works with her son Nick Terry to make her expertly designed reading and spelling methods accessible to homeschool families everywhere. Their program combines multisensory instruction with both online and hands-on learning tools, giving parents an efficient and effective way to help their children build strong reading and spelling skills.

Fearfully and Wonderfully Made: Using the Gift of Neuroplasticity to Overcome Learning Difficulties

Homeschooling children with learning difficulties presents some unique challenges. The great news is that all of us were created
with the gift of neuroplasticity which allows us to rewire the brain to overcome learning difficulties. Our brains are malleable,
moldable, and changeable. Join us as we cover how to harness neuroplasticity to help your child learn at optimal levels and
reach their full potential.

Participants will learn:
• How neuroplasticity as the foundation for learning
• The critical role cognitive skills play in learning
• Symptoms of cognitive weaknesses as the root cause of learning challenges
• Strategies to use in schooling to improve learning
• Ways to harness neuroplasticity to improve cognitive function

Wired for Resilience: Building Emotional Regulation and a Growth Mindset through Brain Science

Developing kids with a growth mindset, high resiliency, and strong emotional regulation is crucial for
their success in school and life. This workshop will explore how improving cognitive deficits lays the foundation for developing
these essential life skills. Join us to understand the science behind brain function and learn practical strategies to help your child
build resilience and emotional regulation. Discover how to foster a growth mindset that empowers them to face challenges
confidently and persistently.

Participants will learn:
• The importance of cognitive skills in building emotional regulation and resilience
• How to identify and improve cognitive deficits in children
• Strategies to foster a growth mindset in your child
• Techniques for developing strong emotional regulation skills
• Practical, actionable steps to apply brain science to your child’s learning and development

Tori Wilson, M.Ed., Neuroeducation Director, Certified Cognitive, Academic, & Behavior Coach, Psychometrist, and Certified Teacher

Tori is a Certified Cognitive, Academic, & Behavior Coach, Psychometrist, and Neuroeducation Director at The Nectar Group. She received her Bachelor of Arts degree in Elementary Education and Masters of Education in Curriculum and Instruction with an emphasis in Literacy Studies from University of Texas Arlington. She loves changing the lives of her students as she watches them grow and has fun helping parents understand the best options for supporting their children. She feels like each student is their own main character and she is grateful to be a part of their story. When not working with students at Nectar or speaking to parents, she enjoying playing the piano, word games, reading, strategy board games, and spending time with her husband and baby girl.

Emotionally Healthy Homeschooling

Homeschooling often begins with hope-but can quickly feel overwhelming, exhausting and filled with pressure.

In this workshop, you’ll learn how to create a peaceful, emotionally regulated homeschool through simple biblical practices. Discover how to manage stress, calm your nervous system, replace anxious thoughts with truth, and build rhythms of joy and connection with Jesus in your daily life.

Jennifer Pepito

Jennifer Pepito brings over twenty-five years of homeschooling experience to The Peaceful Press, where she serves as the guiding force behind the development of nurturing and effective homeschooling resources.

She has graduated six children from her program, with two students earning honors degrees from their preferred university and one pursuing a Juris Doctorate, another completing ministry school and a fourth graduating with honors from Coast Guard training.

Upon discovering her second daughter’s learning disabilities, Jennifer embarked on a journey of extensive research into child development and education, drawing insights from leading experts such as Carol Stock Kranowitz, Gordon Neufeld, Charlotte Mason and Maria Montessori. This deep dive into understanding laid the foundation for The Peaceful Press curriculum, designed to provide families with homeschooling methods that are not only academically rigorous but also emotionally enriching.

Learn about Dual School – An Early College Accelerator for the Independent Student.

Join us to learn how Dual School is redefining the high school experience for ambitious, self-driven learners across California. Dual School is an early college accelerator that partners with community colleges to provide a seamless, supportive pathway through dual enrollment and into higher education. By combining early college coursework with a guaranteed transfer pathway to some University of California campuses, students can save significant time and money while gaining the flexibility to explore their interests and move at an accelerated pace. Families can choose from multiple levels of commitment, whether fully enrolling in Dual School or self-guided using Dual School programs and pathways. Designed for independent students ready to take ownership of their education, Dual School offers a more efficient, future-focused model that creates a faster, more intentional route from high school to college and beyond.

Ryan Torres

Chelsea Torres

Ryan co-founded Dual School, drawing on his experience as a designer and researcher at Ford, Dropbox, Bible Project, and SAP. He holds a BS in Science, Technology, and Society and an MS in Computer Science from Stanford University. Ryan’s passion for learning and innovation began early—he was the first student at his high school to earn an AA degree. He is deeply committed to expanding access to education and is passionate about faith, food, and sports.

Chelsea co-founded Dual School after spending three years as a classroom teacher. She holds a BS in Conservation and Resource Studies from UC Berkeley and a Master’s in Education from the University of Nevada, Reno. Chelsea was the first student at her high school to take dual enrollment courses, an experience that shaped her belief in the power of access, flexibility, and self-directed learning. Outside of education, she is an avid ultra marathon runner, skier, climber, and hiker.

Raising the Last Generation That Knows How

We are the first generation of parents expected to raise children
with no skills, no purpose, and no connection to how the world
actually works. And we wonder why they’re struggling. In this
powerful and paradigm-shifting talk, Kody Hanner challenges
modern parents to take back what was stripped from us—our role
as the first teachers of civilization. With raw truth and lived
experience, she makes the case for reskilling the next generation
through gardening, food preservation, herbal medicine, critical
thinking, trades, resourcefulness, and emotional strength. This
isn’t about prepping. It’s about preserving humanity.

Raising Thinkers, Not Test Takers

In this powerful approach to guiding our kids, educator and
homesteader Kody Hanner shares how families can ditch the
busywork and raise kids through purpose-driven, child-led
learning that mirrors the way life actually works. From gardening
and livestock to project-based science and everyday critical
thinking, this talk explores how agriculture is more than mud pies
and plant parts. It’s a foundation for learning resilience, innovation,
biology, ecology, and independence.

Cody Hanner

Kody Hanner is a homesteader, proud homeschool mom, and the creator of The
Homestead Education; a company that provides educational resources that aim to
teach children self-sufficiency through hands-on learning. Inspired by her own family’s
story, her education, and background in agriculture, Hanner’s family made the move
to Idaho to start their own homestead. Through homeschooling her own children, she
realized there was a gap in the market for educational curriculum and resources that
met her needs and those in the homesteading community. Her primary goal with the
business is to prepare the next generation and expose children to the life skills and
fun that come from working in the agricultural industry; particularly in a time where
much of the educational focus has been in the STEM and tech-related fields. at Waterhouse Guild for 3 years utilizing Blackbird
Literature and tools. She believes every child’s voice should be heard, unique gifts
valued and that we are all differently abled. Clare has three differently abled children
who all learned to be gifted writers using Blackbird Literature. You can find Clare most
of the time in her garden or reading a good book.

Mission Possible: Homeschooling Through High School!

High school is different, but very doable, and not nearly as difficult as you may think! We’ll talk about the basics you need to know, including setting graduation requirements, designing a plan that’s right for your student, naming your courses and creating descriptions, and determining the number of credits to award. Come be encouraged that you can do it!

Dena Bless

Having homeschooled both their daughters all the way through high school graduation,
Dena Bless hopes that her experiences can be used to encourage and support others.
Now they have both graduated college, Dena enjoys being even more involved in the
homeschool world as the Events Manager with CHEA (Christian Home Educators
Association) of CA and, with her husband, the Regional Advisory Board reps for the Bay
Area/Nor Cal. Dena also leads the PSP she belonged to when she was homeschooling.

Homeschool burnout isn’t a personal failure — it’s a design problem

This session exposes the limiting beliefs and invisible pressures that quietly overload parents and explains why effort alone won’t fix it. You’ll leave with clear, practical tools to burnout‑proof your homeschool — tools you’ll keep using long after the session ends.

Jamie Phipps

A wife to her high school sweetheart, homeschool mom to 5 young sons, co-owner of Humble Heart Press, co-director of a Charlotte Mason/Classical community, and recently developed a new K-3 class called “F.E.A.S.T – Fun with engineering, arithmetic, sports and teamwork.” Phew. Before all that, she was a lower-middle class public school kid that graduated U.C Berkeley with a B.A. in Media Studies/Mass Communication, got a “good” job, and then wondered what it was all for. For Jamie, homeschooling represents freedom to live life aligned closely with her values, the redemption of education and family, and most importantly, fertile ground for Kingdom work. Lets do it!

Your Family’s Inherited Storyline: The Missing Ingredient to a Relational Education

Description: Do you ever feel that despite choosing the “perfect” curriculum, something in your homeschool day still feels dry or disconnected? We often look outward for the best history books and cultural studies, overlooking the richest resource we possess: our own family’s history. Drawing from Charlotte Mason’s philosophy that “Education is a Science of Relations,” this session explores how to anchor your child’s education in their unique heritage. We will move beyond simply checking boxes on a syllabus and discover how to weave your family’s stories, values, and oral traditions into your daily learning. This isn’t about adding another subject to your busy schedule; it’s about giving your children a strong sense of identity and “roots” that no boxed curriculum can provide.

Together we will:

Review highlights of current research on the resilience and emotional benefits found in children who know their family narratives.
Discuss practical ways to curate a “living curriculum” that honors your heritage without overwhelm
- Learn tips on how to sequence your history and literature studies to naturally include your family’s inherited storylines.
- Engage in small group discussion, Q&A, and personal application.

Homeschooling in an AI world

In the last couple of years, AI has been taking the world by storm, even aggressively sweeping through the educational landscape–sometimes even as a substitute for actual teachers. Nowadays, chatbots can give impeccable summaries of any book or even generate full essays in mere seconds, we need to ask ourselves: what is the goal of a living education if “to know” something is no longer at a premium?

This workshop will explore Charlotte Mason’s principles as a steady and faithful anchor of a truly living education when today’s technology has made the acquiring and generation of “knowledge” ultra-efficient. We will discuss why it is vital more than ever to slow down and attend to the born person(s) in our care as educators, and commit to the “inefficient” work of building a life-giving “Science of Relations” with books, nature, and with one another. Finally, we will discuss how we can equip ourselves with wisdom on how to effectively use AI as a tool rather than a substitute.

Together we will:

Learn the basics of Generative AI and its current capabilities
Review Charlotte Mason’s principles that are relevant to how we can approach AI’s presence in our world
Identify specific dangers AI poses to the “mind’s digestion” of ideas and habit of attention
Establish clear boundaries educators can set in our classrooms and homeschools to protect the student’s direct relationship with knowledge
Discover practical strategies to use AI purposefully to cultivate, rather than undercut, a living education

Lillian Kim

Lillian Kim is the Creator of LivingwithCharlotte.com, a global resource hub for all things Charlotte Mason, and is a Charlotte Mason home educator to her two boys in the SF Bay Area in CA. She came across Charlotte Mason’s principles early on in her homeschool journey starting in 2020, and has been teeming with living ideas ever since then, finding new applications of Charlotte Mason’s philosophy in today’s modern age. She holds a B.A. in philosphy and has previously worked in various marketing roles before becoming a full-time home educator.

Handwork and Experiential Learning: Making, Moving, and Growing

In this session, we’ll explore how handwork activities actively support healthy brain development and whole-child growth. Both research and my 13 years of teaching experience show that purposeful activities, like sewing, carving, building, and crafting, are not only fun and fulfilling, but also shape the developing brain by strengthening neural pathways that foster focus, problem-solving, and creativity. The result? A happier, more centered child.

You’ll leave this session with a clear understanding of how using the hands helps the brain grow, a list of projects and the confidence to choose age-appropriate handwork projects that bring movement, creativity, and meaning into your homeschool rhythm.

Dawn Robinette

Founder and Director of The Ohmapi Nature Project

Dawn’s journey has always been deeply rooted in a love for nature and a passion for learning through experience.Growing up in the wild, untamed landscapes of Wisconsin, she spent endless hours exploring the outdoors, forging a lifelong connection to the natural world. As a young adult, Dawn pursued a career in architecture and interior design, earning a Bachelor of Architecture from Cal Poly San Luis Obispo in 1993. The school’s philosophy of Learning By Doing deeply resonated with her, shaping her approach to both design and life.

After establishing a design firm and retail store with her husband, Dawn’s desire to teach led her to return to school in 2005, this time at the University of Washington, where she earned a master’s degree. Her thesis centered on the design-build process, and she spent nine months as a teaching assistant working on a transformative project: a multigenerational home for the indigenous community of Yakima, WA. This experience cemented her belief in the power of hands-on learning, an ethos she carried into her teaching career at Virginia Commonwealth University and the Art Institute of Orange County.

When Dawn became a mother, she returned to romping about and playing in the outdoors with her daughter. She saw, through the eyes of an adult, the value of nature in childhood and the impact it had on her daughter. After enrolling her child in a nature kindergarten program, a seed was planted and Dawn began her own nature school. Combining her passions for experiential learning and the outdoors, she created a program where children learn through play, exploration, and connection to the earth. Over the years, the school has grown, and Dawn has dedicated herself to deepening her knowledge of nature, primitive skills, and how best to share these with children in meaningful, inspiring ways.

When she’s not frolicking in the woods with children, Dawn starts each day with a run as the sun rises—an embodiment of her connection to the land that has shaped her life.

Casting a Vision That Outlasts The "Good Days"

Deciding to homeschool can be a truly exciting moment! Oftentimes, our original motivations and the invigoration of a “new thing” can help us start out with so much zeal that we never imagine that we won’t LOVE doing this. But hard days come, and sometimes they come by the dozens. When that happens, how do we keep moving forward toward the vision that God gave us? In this interactive workshop, homeschool veteran Erin Cox will walk you through the process of casting vision for your unique family so that when you’re ready to throw in the towel, you’ll be equipped to stay the course!

Unhurried Beginnings: What Preschoolers Really Need (and What They Don’t)

In a culture obsessed with early achievement, measurable milestones, and rushing little ones toward “getting ahead,” this talk invites you to step into something far better: rest. Drawing from Scripture, developmental wisdom, and the heart of a mother who has walked this path, Erin gently dismantles the myths that drive performance-based parenting and overwhelm.

Erin Cox

Erin is a veteran homeschooling mama to two graduates and two sweet little boys. She runs The Gentle + Classical Press and Good Oaks Farm from her family home in central Alabama alongside her amazing husband Danny. Erin’s favorite things include dating her husband, learning about learning, everything art-related, and all the books. She has authored multiple volumes of homeschool curriculum and founded a quarterly, missions-focused magazine. You can find Erin on Instagram @‌gentle_classical_press and via her website ShopGentleClassical.com

Are You Doing Enough? 9 Questions to Ask

Are you enough? At some point, every homeschool
mom expresses these fears. In this session, I share 9
simple questions you can ask yourself at the end of
each day or as you plan your week to ensure your
children are learning more than enough. I calm
your fears and give practical suggestions on how to
create a well-rounded home education that blends
rest, worship, reading, writing, problem-solving,
movement, creativity, nature exploration, and even
caring for the home and others. Moms, you are
enough! What you are doing is enough! You are
enough because God is enough.

Simple Nature Journaling for the Art
Challenged & Nature Deficit Parents

Even the most art-challenged or nature-deficient
parent can do nature studies. Nature studies and
science can be stress-free, textbook-free, and
simple. In this hands-on workshop, participants
will spend an hour drawing, observing, and
experimenting. I share how to use God’s creation
as your “curriculum” and how to make nature
studies a consistent part of your homeschooling
week.

Carrie De Francisco

Carrie De Francisco is the host of the popular podcast Coffee With Carrie Homeschool Help, speaker, and author of several books including, Just Breathe (and Take a Sip of Coffee): Homeschool Simply & Enjoyably and Homeschool High School: A Handbook for Christian Education.

Carrie believes if God is calling you to homeschool, you can do it! Through her consulting
services, books, podcast, and premium members at The Coffee House, she helps moms
simplify their homeschooling one step at a time, one day at a time, and one cup of coffee at a time. After 20 years of homeschooling, Carrie appreciates the gift of laughter (and her quiet time with her Bible and favorite cup of coffee).

Originally from New Orleans, Louisiana, Carrie now lives and learns in Southern California with her husband, her two homeschool graduates, and their introverted dog.

Make Math Stick: Teaching Techniques for Long-Term Learning

Do your kids ever stare at you blankly when you ask them about the lesson you taught them yesterday? You’ll learn why this is perfectly normal—and how to use the science of memory to help your children retain what they’ve learned for the long haul. Kate will focus on examples from elementary and middle school math, but the general principles apply to any age or subject.

More Fun = Less Burn-out: How to Add More Playfulness, Flow, and Connection to Your Homeschool Days

Many homeschool parents work tirelessly to make homeschooling fun and enjoyable for their kids but feel overwhelmed and burnt-out by the daily demands of homeschooling. In this talk, you’ll learn strategies for making homeschooling and parenting more fun–not just for your kids, but also for you!

Kate will show you how to incorporate more playfulness, flow, and connection into your teaching so that you can enjoy your homeschool days more and avoid burn-out. You’ll walk away with concrete tools for making your days more fun, along with a greater appreciation of how fun both enhances your teaching and nourishes deeper connections with your kids.

Kate Snow

Kate Snow is a math educator on a mission to help parents raise kids who are capable and confident in math. With experience as a homeschool parent, classroom teacher, and curriculum writer, she seeks to help homeschool parents give their kids a strong foundation in math—and maybe even have some fun in the process!

Kate is the author of the Math with Confidence curriculum, the Math Facts That Stick series, and Preschool Math at Home (all available from Well-Trained Mind Press). She holds a B.A. in Mathematics from Harvard University and an M.S. in Elementary Education from Walden University. You can learn more about her work at kateshomeschoolmath.com.

Let’s Read!

Understanding the Benefits of Arts for the Student:

H.E.L.P!
Hope
Encouragement
Laughter
Peace

Burnt out? Feeling like you’re failing your kids?Can’t seem to stop the rat race, but want to? Asking yourself, “Am I enough?” You are not alone! Come gather with others like yourself and receive hope & encouragement. Take home some practical tools that will help you build peace in your home and enable you to enjoy the journey and maybe even laugh along the way!

Anna Cunningham:

Anna a mama of 4, and second generation homeschooler, having been homeschooled herself from Kinder all the way through high school graduation. She schools from an eclectic and unhurried approach and believes that doing things from a place of rest fosters an environment in which her relationships with her children will flourish. She considers herself a recovering perfectionist and yet wholeheartedly leans on Jesus – the only One who is perfect.

Homeschooling in the Gaps

“Life” is God’s number one curriculum for both children and adults. In that life, formal education is part of the agenda. But sometimes life can get bumpy. Juggling schedules, new little additions, work schedules all add to the challenges to home education. In addition, unexpected tragedies and heavier difficulties can happen in any family without notice. How do we keep on keeping on when both the small and larger issues of life cause us to feel overwhelmed? This class will discuss how to weave the curriculum of life into homeschooling. How does a working mom homeschool? What about a post-
partum depression or even the death of a spouse. The speaker has dealt with these and other issues and can testify to how God has “worked in the gaps” and the hopeful promise in Romans that, “all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose,” will fill in the gaps in all our circumstances.

Margie Hartung

Margie began her homeschooling mom career in 1984. She has homeschooled all of her five children and is now lending a hand with 15 beautiful grandchildren. She remembers deciding to homeschool when her first daughter drew a coloring page and she Knew at that moment she wanted to be a part of it all. At that time there was not a lot of help for parents and when the charters began in 1994 she was one of the first board members of Horizon Charter School. Charters have come a long way since then and now there are a plethora of both private homeschoolers and Charter school students creating an amazing generation of leaders. In addition to homeschooling, Margie Hartung is the Artistic Director of the Placer County Youth Orchestras and owner of 5 th Street Academy (Margie Hartung Music). 5 th Street teaches many classes in the area including Band, Strings, Theater, Musical History Drama, Choir, Dance, General Music, Art, Guitar, Rock Band, Learning through Music for Young Children, piano classes, history and private music lessons. For more information: http://www.5thstreetacademy
or mhartung@pcyo.org

Homeschooling in the Gaps

Margie Hartung

Special Education: Navigating SST’s, IEP’s and 504’s

Navigating SST’s, IEP’s and 504’s can be challenging for parents. Learn the differences between the Special Education terminology and designations. Knowing your child’s learning style and choosing the right curriculum can further help them learn successfully. Discover ideas and resources available to meet needs for your special education students; in charter schools and privately. Gain confidence in your ability to successfully homeschool your special education student!

Leanne Engel, MA

Over the past 35 years, Leanne has worked with K-12 gifted and special needs students in the classroom, in a Title 1 learning lab, as a homeschool mom and teacher, created and directed a multi-age K-8 hybrid program, and has trained many parents, aides, and teachers. Her 25 years of homeschooling her 6 children (graduated 5) has given her experience with a variety of curriculums, pedagogies, and educational approaches to ensure success with a variety of learners. She currently runs “Classical Scholar Academy”, a satellite program, teaches small group classes, and oversees homeschool programs for private homeschoolers.

Two of her own children have special needs and she is experienced in navigating IEP and 504 meetings within the traditional and charter school systems as a parent and teacher. She is a parent advocate and helps equip parents with knowledge and tools they need to become a confident partner with their children’s learning team.

Leanne is a popular and often requested homeschool teacher, trainer, and speaker. In her spare time, Leanne loves to hike, ride bikes, watch her kids and 9 grandkids dance and play soccer, and travel with friends and family.

You can't give what you don't have

When many mamas begin homeschooling their hearts desire is that their children would know and love God and love others.But we can often become so busy and distracted, so weary and discouraged that we are trying to “fill their cups” while ours remain empty. I would love to share with you in this session the invitation of Jesus to”Come to Me all you who are weary and heavy laden… I will give you rest.. learn from Me.
” Thankfully we still have much to learn and He is a patient teacher!

the 10 things I wish I'd known when I started homeschooling.

After 28 years of homeschooling I look back and see so much more clearly the things that brought life to me and my children, the things that really mattered, and the things that brought us all weariness, the things that I thought were so important that really didn’t matter.

I would love to share with you what the Lord has shown me to be His highest priority for you as mamas and for your children.He invites us to experience His yoke that is truly “easy and light.”

Beverly Bradley – Beverly is a mother of 6 grown children, whom she homeschooled for 27 years, disciples wives and mothers according to Titus 2:4-5. She is a powerful communicator, and a popular keynote speaker at women’s gatherings. Committed to teaching the Word of God without compromise, she speaks with sensitivity, humor, and biblical wisdom in addressing issues related to motherhood, marriage, and homeschooling. Her transparent style leaves her listeners encouraged and hopeful in their walks with Jesus. Many, in fact, have described Bev’s ministry as “absolutely life-changing.”

Raising a BRAVE Generation

This workshop will equip parents to raise their children to be BRAVE. That is to be Bold, Reliable, Above and Beyond, Vigilant, and Excellent.

Cooper Bell is a retired college athlete, a follower of Jesus Christ and recently engaged. Cooper works alongside BRAVE books and their authors to build up a new BRAVE generation. He planned the logistics for the Kirk Cameron library tour, has done events with Kash Patel and Dinesh D’Souza, and travles across the country to provide the necessary resources for parents to equip their children for the ideologies they will encounter.

HIGH SCHOOL SESSIONS FOR STUDENTS

The Sky’s the Limit: Explore being a Pilot for a day- Jeff Crandall, US Army, Chief Warrant Officer 5, Retired Did you realize being a Pilot is an in-demand and lucrative career? Students in high school may explore this career and hear about a fabulous opportunity to try it out for a day by participating in a half hour flight talk, go to an Aviation Simulation Lab (at Jessup University) and you’ll get the chance to fly in a real airplane (FREE, but you’ll need to sign up to complete on a different day)
Fast Track- Justin Halverson, Admissions Counselor and Tina Peterson, Registrar Explore how high school students can earn an associate degree while completing college and receive high school credit at a discounted rate at Jessup University.
The Brand of You: Developing a Strong Personal Brand that Resonates-Hannah Weidner, Jessup student and Jesse Uhmeh, Jessup University Assistant Director of Marketing & Communications In this day and age, it is critical to craft your personal brand strategically and build ones that helps advance your life and future career, especially on LinkedIn and social media.
Homeschool to college success- Brandon Farmer, Jessup University Director of Student Life and Residence Life and Housing Tips for success in transitioning into college life
The 10 Attitudes of an entrepreneur – The 10 attitudes of an entrepreneur allow each participant moms, dads and young people to
discover what an entrepreneur is and how to be one. Often times the entrepreneur inside us is not allowed to come out simply because we do not relate to ourselves as an entrepreneur. During this session, participants will begin their journey of living the life of an entrepreneur now and not waiting for a college degree or some great business opportunity. Being an entrepreneur is much more than owning a business. Most entrepreneurs are business owners, but being an entrepreneur is for anyone who is up to something big in their life whether owning a business or not. It is a mindset and lifestyle.
Goal Setting – A Family Event!
Goal setting is often thought of as a great idea and something everyone needs to do but we rarely do it and when we do, we usually lose track of the goal along the way. In this workshop, goals are brought to life through creation and conversation. Everyone participating will create a goal and a visual display for that goal during the workshop. This process can be done with family members over and over again as well as with other homeschool groups as activities. The process is created in a fun and fast paced style with everyone having an opportunity to create
and share their goal that will leave each participant inspired by their goal and by the goals of others. Every year participants from previous workshops come back to share how they accomplished the goal they created from their past attendance.
Making Your Test Scores Soar!
Mr. D Math programs are known by our students and families as test-prep friendly! This is a hands-on workshop giving those attending simple strategies for any testing situation. Learn Mr. D’s easy to follow 2-step method for test taking. The focus will be on math and reading comprehension standardized tests. Get ready for some fun. Yes, test taking can be fun!

Carrie De Francisco

Carrie De Francisco is a wife and “retired” homeschooling mom of two homeschool graduates living and learning in Southern CA. She is the host of the popular podcast, Coffee With Carrie Homeschool Help, speaker, author of several books including, Just Breathe (and Take a Sip of Coffee): Homeschool in Step with God, and a Wild + Free contributor. Through her consulting services, books, blog articles, and podcast, she helps moms simplify their homeschooling one step at a time, one day at a time, and one cup of coffee at a time. Carrie is an out-of-the-box thinker which is probably why she was an outside-of-the-curriculum-box homeschooler. She can be found drinking her favorite latte, walking in nature, reading her Bible, cooking a batch of homemade beignets, and laughing at herself (and crazy ideas).

Connect with Carrie at coffeewithcarrie.org, on IG @coffeewithcarrieconsultant or by email at coffeewithcarriehomeschool@gmail.com.

1. HOMESCHOOLING HIGH SCHOOL: YOU CAN DO IT!

Homeschooling high school is easier than you think. The key to successfully homeschooling high school is to start with the end in mind. It is never too early to start praying about high school and looking ahead. In this session, Carrie explains what is required, gives tips on meeting those requirements in creative ways, and encourages the most fearful moms that homeschooling through high school is not only doable but can be enjoyable too!

In this session, Carrie shares how to:

Use the high school years to discern God’s purpose and plan for your teen’s life
Design a 4-Year Plan for High School
Create transcripts & how to determine high school credit
Meet state graduation requirements in both traditional and non-traditional ways
Capitalize on the freedom and flexibility of homeschooling high school
Prepare for college admissions for the college-bound teen
Include AP, CLEP, Honors, & Community College Dual Enrollment,
and more…

Come with your fears, challenges, and questions. The best part is the Q & A Session at the end.

2. GAMESCHOOLING: PUT THE FUN BACK INTO THE FUNDAMENTALS

Gameschooling… Yes, it’s a thing! Gameschooling is also a great way to homeschool too. Play is the work of childhood so don’t skip playing games in your homeschooling. Did you know it takes over 400 repetitions to create a new synapse in the brain and to learn something new, yet when playing games it only takes 10-20 repetitions? Come learn how to put the FUN back into learning the FUNdamentals.

In this session, Carrie shares:

why it is beneficial to incorporate games into your lessons,
the hidden blessings of gameschooling,
easy ways to include more games in your lessons,
tons of game recommendations for all subjects and grade levels
ways to collect games without breaking your budget,
and most importantly how to get started.

The best part is the Q & A Session at the end.

3. LESS IS MORE: YOU ARE DOING ENOUGH!

Am I enough? Are the kids doing enough? At some point, every homeschool mom asks these questions.. Yes, You are enough! In this session, Carrie calms your fears about not being enough, gives practical insight on what to do when you don’t feel your children are not doing enough, how to remove the FOMO, and shares how to do less in order to accomplish more. Learn how to remove the chaos and overscheduled calendars. You can simplify your life, your home, and your homeschooling while focusing on what is truly important, having fun, and creating lasting memories.

Jennifer Pepito

Jennifer Pepito is a homeschool mom of 26 years, host of the Restoration Home podcast, and the founder of The Peaceful Press, a company committed to providing families with curriculum that promotes connection between parents and children. Her efforts to give her own seven children a Charlotte Mason-inspired education led her to create an affordable and life giving curriculum for others. Her resources have been used by thousands of families and earn rave reviews. Jennifer’s writing has been featured in several online and print journals, including Wild and Free, Commonplace Quarterly, and Home Educating Family. She also speaks at conferences and retreats, including the Wild and Free conference, Christian Home Educators Association, Teach Diligently, and Rooted Home.

www.thepeacefulpress.shop | hello@thepeacefulpress.com | @thepeacefulpress

Habits for a Sacred Home

In this session, Jennifer will share nine practices from history that can anchor and restore modern families. The same principles that saved civilization during the Dark Ages can be applied to our homes to help create islands of virtue in the midst of a chaotic time.

Homeschooling With Insight

In this workshop we will discover how taking the time to identify your own personality style and that of your children, as well as evaluating your child’s developmental readiness, can make your homeschool rhythm more simple, effective, and peaceful. Many homeschool days are

disrupted when we assume that our children will relate to the world in the same way that we do. When we homeschool with insight, we can formulate a daily, weekly, and yearly rhythm that honors the individuality of each of our children, and works to bring out the best in each one of

them.

Josh Manley

Josh Manley is a best-selling author, professor, and entrepreneur with a passion for teaching technical skills. He served as the education director of a large regional workshop, hosted a TED Talk with millions of views, and published 2 scientific papers. He currently runs CADclass.org teaching 3D design and 3D printing to students all over the world. He loves helping people bring their creativity to life!

From Home to High-Tech: Equipping Kids for Success in Technical Fields

Does your kid want to build rockets, invent medicines, or create the next great artificial intelligence app? How do you help set them up for success in fields where you may not have the expertise needed? Helping kids learn technical skills at home is rewarding but challenging. In this presentation, Josh Manley, founder of the online 3D school CADclass.org talks about how you can position your students to succeed in these deeply technical fields, helping them take charge of their own destiny and bring their ideas to life!

Teaching Children with Special Needs

Are you confused about what to teach, how to teach it, and what to expect at what age? Children with special needs, whether they be physical, psychological, developmental or some combination of the above, can still learn and do amazing things with a dedicated parent to guide and encourage them.
In addition to more obvious physical special needs, children are now labeled with a confusing array of “alphabet soup” diagnoses that can be more mystifying than enlightening. Although the strategies employed will be different for each child, there are certain universal principles that apply to all children with learning delays, problems and obstacles. Carolyn will share these principles along with a variety of ideas, techniques and resources she has collected over the years.

Speaker: Carolyn Forte

Dr. Homeschool

A new favorite among homeschool parents attending conferences. Listen in as Dr. Homeschool and his nurse discuss various “homeschool ailments.” Some examples of our cases include: Mrs. Athome, Mrs. Testall, Mrs. Ontask, Mrs. Nofyre and Mrs. Oldenfirm. Laugh and learn as we discuss the symptoms of: inflammation of the in-laws, edema of the curriculum and many other common symptoms. For every case we provide the symptoms, identification of the illness, and of course the prescription to cure the problem. The audience is guaranteed a good time while learning and laughing. Audience participation is encouraged.

Speakers: Martin Forte, Carolyn Forte

Learning Styles: The Secret to a Successful Homeschool Journey

Any parent with more than one child understands that children are all different and the way they learn often differs greatly too. Understanding your child’s learning style can make an enormous difference to your homeschool. We go beyond the usual auditory, visual & kinesthetic model to include your child’s learning disposition, preferred learning environment, talents and interests. All of these factors combine to form your child’s unique learning style or as we like to put it, “the super highway to your child’s brain.” Learn how to use this knowledge to promote your child’s educational success.

Speaker: Martin Forte

Martin and Carolyn Forte

Martin and Carolyn Forte are the founders and owners of Excellence in Education (EIE) ISP and Resource Center in Monrovia, California, a suburb of Los Angeles. For over 25 years, they have been involved in homeschooling.

Carolyn is a former classroom teacher and the mother of two grown homeschooled daughters. She has developed a complete curriculum using only games that is gaining popularity with homeschoolers and non-homeschoolers alike, as it functions beautifully as a supplement to other materials or as a stand-alone teaching program.

Martin has served on the board of the California Homeschool Network and has written extensively about the basic rights of parents to teach their children. He was heavily involved with homeschooling the couple’s grown daughters and has a unique vantage point, owning and operating EIE on a daily basis, with Carolyn. Both of the Fortes have much insight to offer parents who have questions and/or concerns about their own homeschooling experience.

Nature Deficit Disorder – Causes, Consequences, and Cures

Nature deficit disorder refers to the costs of alienation from nature, including diminished use of the senses, attention difficulties, and higher rates of physical and emotional imbalances. It affects individuals, families, and communities. Because homeschoolers strive to provide the best education for their children, they should not overlook the importance of sufficient time in a natural environment—an essential component of raising children in an environment saturated with goodness, truth, and beauty.

The Three Best Things I Did as a Homeschool Dad

While there are many, many things I could have done better as a homeschool father, there are three distinct things that I did try to do as consistently as possible during our years of homeschooling that were the most helpful according to my wife. Join me to discover the three best things I did and to glean some ideas for making your homeschool years the best they can be. Moms are welcome as well!

Andrew Pudewa

Andrew Pudewa is the founder and director of the Institute for Excellence in Writing. Presenting around the world, he addresses issues relating to teaching, writing, thinking, spelling, and music with clarity, insight, practical experience, and humor. His seminars for parents, students, and teachers have helped transform many a reluctant writer and have equipped educators with powerful tools to dramatically improve students’ skills. Although he is a graduate of the Talent Education Institute in Japan (Suzuki Method) and holds a Certificate of Child Brain Development, his best endorsement is from a young Alaskan boy who called him “the funny man with the wonderful words.” He and his beautiful, heroic wife, Robin, have homeschooled their seven children and are now proud grandparents of sixteeen, making their home in northeastern Oklahoma’s beautiful green country.

Shorten Your Homeschool Day

Why should homeschool lessons be short, and is it even possible? In addition to speaking to her experience of balancing a full time job, raising her four kids (including a baby!), and homeschooling, Jenny will share practical tips on how to maximize your homeschool time, in order to keep lessons as short and as productive as possible.

Jenny Steele

Jenny is a wife and homeschool mom to four girls, who does her best to balance working full-time from home as well as contributing to her homeschool YouTube channel Kids Learning for Life with her sister-in-law Stacey. She is an avid reader, and loves homeschooling her kids using inspiration from the Charlotte Mason method Jenny lives on five hilly acres of land with her husband, kids, and many animals, and she is passionate about making homeschool accessible to everyone.

homeschool unburdened: conduct the symphony of your days

Homeschooling *should* be a freeing lifestyle that allows us to live aligned with our values. But if we’re not intentional with how we manage our limited resources of time, energy, and mental load, we can quickly become overwhelmed and discouraged. In this interactive workshop, I will teach you the powerful, *practical* strategies I used to prioritize like an existentialist and walk away equipped to homeschool unburdened.

Jamie Phipps

Jamie Phipps graduated with a B.A. in Mass Communications/Media Studies from U.C. Berkeley in 2009, and has worked in family business, non-profit and for a top tier corporation. She currently homeschooling 5 sons, ages 11 mo – 10 years old, helps direct a Christ-Centered Charotte Mason co-op, and her and her husband Aaron own the homeschool printing company, Humble Heart Press. She is passionate about creating local communities and living an unburdened, Christ-centered homeschool lifestyle.

Guard Their Hearts

We can often be so concerned with teaching the minds and training the behaviors of our children that we neglect what the bible says is most important

“Above all guard your heart with all diligence, for from it all the wellspring of life” Proverbs 4:23

During this session you will be encouraged and reminded that the foremost reason you chose to homeschool was that you did not want your child’s hearts to be instructed and informed by the world.

Beverly homeschooled her six children and now is in relationship with them and her grandchildren, she will give encouragement from the scriptures as well as her own life experience as to the high value of knowing and guarding their hearts.

Beverly Bradley

A mother of 6 grown children, whom she homeschooled for 27 years, disciples wives and mothers according to Titus 2:4-5. She is a powerful communicator, and a popular keynote speaker at women’s gatherings. Committed to teaching the Word of God without compromise, she speaks with sensitivity, humor, and biblical wisdom in addressing issues related to motherhood, marriage, and homeschooling. Her transparent style leaves her listeners encouraged and hopeful in their walks with Jesus. Many, in fact, have described Bev’s ministry as “absolutely life-changing.”

Food Science Equals Kitchen And Homeschool Success:

Dale Cox is the creator of Edible Knowledge branded experiment-based print and self-paced Food Science and Physics courses. In this workshop he will explain the benefits of learning Food Science principles and simple Newtonian Physics and how that knowledge can impact student’s lives. Food science explains all the “why’s” we see in the kitchen, helps improve cooking skills, keeps you safe and healthy, saves money, and can even be a lucrative career path. Dale will share some interesting stories about his 23-year career as a professional food scientist developing new food products and fixing food production lines throughout the world.

Dale Cox

Dale Cox is a professional food scientist (B.S., M.S. Food Science), and is also a licensed general contractor. For over 23 years he worked in the food industry for many well-known companies developing new products and improving food manufacturing facilities. For the last 6 years Dale has been producing homeschool and whole family food science and physics courses through his company, Beakers & Bricks, LLC. Dale’s food philosophy is to eat as close to nature as often as we can and use convenience foods in moderation and without guilt when we need convenience or want a treat. He believes that knowledge gives us the power to avoid being scared or misled by whatever current food fad exists. Teaching this everyday useful knowledge, what he calls Edible Knowledge, is the primary mission of his company.

From Homeschool to Stanford University: Crafting Your College Application Narrative and Creating Administrative Documents

Join us for an inspiring workshop presented by Henry Hill-Gorman, a lifelong homeschooler from a family of five from Madison, WI. Henry, who attended Stanford University and earned a BA in Philosophy and an MA in Business and Media Studies, will share his expertise on crafting a personal curriculum and narrative tailored to your dream college and degree program. Drawing from his diverse background, including working in Stanford’s admissions office and as a teacher and curriculum lead for several of Stanford’s freshman courses, Henry will provide practical strategies for designing a curriculum, managing essential administrative documents, and presenting your homeschool experience compellingly for college admissions. Don’t miss this chance to learn from Henry’s unique journey and gain valuable insights to elevate your homeschool to college transition!

Henry Hill-Gorman

Henry graduated from Stanford University this June and is currently starting his own company in the homeschooling space. He can be reached via email at henry@youredu.school or on Linkedin – https://www.linkedin.com/in/henry-hill-gorman/. Feel free to connect!

Dyslexia and the Benefits of Orton-Gillingham

Unlock the potential of your Dyslexic learners with Orton-Gillingham instruction – a structured, multisensory approach designed to cater to individual needs. This method emphasizes multi-sensory, sequential, cumulative learning, focusing on phonics, language development, and boosting students’ confidence. Orton-Gillingham paves the way for a strong foundation, ensuring Dyslexic students master essential skills and flourish in their academic journey.

Jess Arce

Jess Arce, the renowned CEO, and Director of 3D Learning Experts and America’s Dyslexia Expert is truly a force to be reckoned with in the world of education. With a passion for helping struggling students with learning challenges to succeed both in school and in life, Jess is a best-selling author, host of “The Learning Disability Experts” podcast and YouTube channel, and a sought-after speaker at conferences and events across the country.

As a Dyslexic herself married to a Dyslexic and a mother to four children with nine neurodiversity, Jess’s personal journey of discovery led her to dedicate her life to helping others on the neurodiverse journey. After receiving her certification as a Barton Tutor and Dyslexia Screener in 2015, Jess began training her staff of expert educators to help students virtually with Dyslexia, Dysgraphia, and Dyscalculia throughout the United States.

Jess’s unwavering commitment to empowering students with learning challenges has earned her numerous accolades, including features on several conferences and podcasts such as A Winning Cup Podcast, Pam Prior Show, Transformation Talk Radio, Homeschooling Children with Special Needs Summit, and Women’s Entrepreneur Network.

With her magnetic personality and impressive credentials, Jess is a true trailblazer in the field of Dyslexia education, inspiring and empowering students, parents, and educators alike to achieve their full potential.

How To Create a Unit Study:

Have you ever wondered about how to incorporate unit studies into your homeschool? In this interactive workshop, attendees will learn what unit studies are and how to use them in their homeschool. We will walk through how to create a unit study based on any topic to fit the needs of any group.

Stacey Lewis

Stacey is a wife and mother to her three school-aged boys. Stacey works mostly from home and is entering her seventh year teaching at a local California charter school helping families from all different backgrounds and homeschooling methods create their ideal homeschool.

Stacey has always had a passion for creating curriculum (especially unit studies) and started making and sharing her own preschool and toddler curriculum when she ran an in-home daycare. In 2020 she created the Kids Learning for Life YouTube channel with her sister-in-law, Jenny, to help give advice to the growing homeschool community. Kids Learning for Life has now launched their Film Unit Studies curriculum as a fun way for families to combine film and learning!

Rutabaga Gardening

Rutabaga Gardening is the passion project of Kaitlin Mitchell, a former elementary school educator with a master’s degree in Cross-Cultural Education who San Diego Home/Garden Lifestyles magazine describes as “an edible gardening evangelist.”

In development since 2015, Rutabaga has worked with schools, teachers, parents, families, homeschools, local nurseries, occupational therapists, and agriculture and garden clubs. We aim to provide structure, teaching standards, and exciting tools for all ages and abilities to be curious and successful in gardening, science, nature, and nutrition to develop lifelong healthy habits personally, in their community, and on the planet.

The Rutabaga Education Curriculum was launched in 2019 and consists of 9 books scaffolded and organized by season for ages 4+.

Rutabaga Garden Tools were launched in November 2023, created with an earth-friendly conscience, and designed for adults and kids to comfortably “dig in” to gardening!

Yes - You DO Have a Green Thumb!

Meet Kaitlin and learn some tips and tricks to grow your fruit and vegetable garden this fall. Whether you’re brand new to “digging in” or are a “seasoned” gardener, you’ll get an opportunity to learn from an urban gardener who uses her growing spaces to incorporate multi-curricular learning with children.

Topics covered include seasonal planting, companion planting, seed starting for germination success, transplanting seedlings, macro and micronutrients for your plants, watering tips, and some kid-friendly recipes to encourage healthy habits!

Parts of the class will involve hands-on activities, so be ready to get them dirty.

“Let’s get growing. I’ll see you there!” ~ Kaitlin

Nicole Thomas

Nicole Thomas: Ask a homeschool parent to list their biggest obstacles, and “teaching math” will probably appear close to the top of that list. In response to this concern, Nicole Thomas created Nicole the Math Lady which serves tens of thousands each day of students each day. Nicole has not only created an educational website but a family environment where children and parents share the common belief that when education is fun, there are no limits to what a child can learn. Nicole holds Bachelors’ Degrees in Economics and Psychology from Stanford University and resides in Orlando, Florida with her family.

Do What You Do Best and Outsource the Rest!

Believe it or not, you don’t have to teach everything yourself when you homeschool. You can teach what you are passionate
about and find help in other subjects to do the same. Come learn how to determine the qualities you want in your teaching team, where to look for help (free and paid), and how to manage it all to ensure you’re getting the results you want.

Math Gaps— How to Find Them and Fill Them Up!

What do I do if I know my kid has math gaps? – Math is a subject your student is going to need to take every year. Math gaps can not only frustrate students and impact their daily math work, but they can also be detrimental to a student’s overall school success. Come learn how to identify whether your kid has math gaps and then learn how to fill those gaps.

Empowering Parents: Igniting the Spark to Educate Your Own Children

In this session, we will embark on a transformative journey to explore why parents are indeed the best educators for their own children. As we delve into this discussion, we recognize the profound impact that understanding and addressing the developmental needs of students from preschool to 12th grade can have on their educational journey. Research consistently underscores the pivotal role that parental involvement plays in shaping children’s academic success and socio-emotional development (Fan & Chen, 2001; Hill & Tyson, 2009). By recognizing and embracing the unique developmental milestones and challenges that students encounter at each stage of their journey, parents are empowered to tailor their approach to meet their children’s evolving needs effectively. From nurturing language development in preschoolers to fostering independence and critical thinking skills in high schoolers, parents possess an intimate understanding of their children’s strengths, interests, and learning styles. Join us as we explore how embracing this understanding and actively engaging in our children’s educational journey enables us to become their greatest advocates and most effective educators. Together, let’s unlock the full potential of parental involvement in education and ignite a love for learning that lasts a lifetime.

Session Outcomes:

Increased Understanding: Attendees will gain a deeper understanding of the importance of parental involvement in their children’s education and its significant impact on academic success and socio-emotional development.

Awareness of Developmental Needs: Participants will become aware of the developmental needs of preschool to 12th grade students and how these needs evolve over time. They will gain insights into how to address these needs effectively as parents and educators.

Practical Strategies: Attendees will learn practical strategies and techniques for supporting their children’s educational journey at each developmental stage. They will acquire tools for promoting academic achievement, fostering social-emotional growth, and nurturing a love for learning at home.

Increased Confidence: Parents will leave the session feeling more confident in their ability to support their children’s educational development and advocate for their needs within the educational system. They will feel empowered to take an active role in their children’s learning journey.

Community Connection: Attendees will have the opportunity to connect with other parents and educators, share experiences, and learn from each other. They will feel supported and inspired by the collective wisdom and shared goals of the community.

Actionable Takeaways: Participants will leave the session with actionable takeaways they can implement immediately in their parenting and educational practices. These may include specific activities, resources, or communication strategies to support their children’s learning and development.

With over two decades of extensive professional experience in education, Dr. Nathan Herzog serves as the Dean of the School of Education at William Jessup University, having held various influential roles such as Full Tenured Professor, Associate Provost, and Coordinator of Graduate Studies. His expertise encompasses academic leadership, curriculum development, strategic planning, and executive administration. Beyond academia, Dr. Herzog has been deeply involved with homeschool families for more than 17 years, providing vital guidance and support to ensure quality education in non-traditional settings. This wealth of experience underscores his commitment to fostering inclusive learning environments and driving innovation in education.

In addition to his leadership roles, Dr. Nathan Herzog holds a Ph.D. in Leadership in Higher Education from Capella University and has completed executive leadership programs at Stanford University. He also earned a Master of Arts in Multicultural Education from National University and a Bachelor of Science in Biology from Point Loma Nazarene University. These degrees have equipped him with a comprehensive understanding of educational leadership, management practices, and effective teaching strategies tailored to diverse student populations.

Dr. Herzog’s commitment to community service extends far beyond academia, as evidenced by his involvement with numerous nonprofits and government agencies. Serving as a commissioner on the Placer County Planning Commission and Planning Commission Chair, he has played a pivotal role in shaping local policies and initiatives. Additionally, his dedication to child welfare is evident through his involvement with the Placer County Child Abuse Prevention Council, where he contributes to efforts aimed at protecting vulnerable youth. Dr. Herzog’s philanthropic endeavors also encompass organizations such as KidsFirst Family Resource Center, Lighthouse Counseling and Family Resource Center, and the Western Placer Education Foundation, where he actively engages in initiatives to support families, promote education, and foster community well-being. Through his multifaceted involvement with these nonprofits and government agencies, Dr. Herzog demonstrates a profound commitment to creating positive social impact and enriching the lives of individuals and families within his community.

Recognized for his dedication to educational excellence and community service, Dr. Nathan Herzog has received numerous awards and recognitions throughout his career. Notable accolades include the Stanford University Intellectual Contribution Award, which acknowledges his outstanding academic contributions.

The Importance of Dad in Homeschool

Join us for an insightful session on the pivotal role of homeschool dads in their children’s education journey. This session will explore practical strategies for staying actively involved in homeschooling while managing professional responsibilities. We’ll discuss effective time management techniques, communication strategies with your spouse, and how to create a supportive environment at home. Learn valuable tips on supporting your wife emotionally, fostering a collaborative approach to homeschooling, and nurturing a strong family bond. Whether you’re new to homeschooling or looking to enhance your involvement, this session offers inspiration and practical advice to empower you on this rewarding parenting path

Matthew Campbell

Matthew is a follower of Christ, husband and dad to five kids, graduate of Western Seminary with a MA in Marriage and Family Therapy. He is an adjunct faculty at WJU and a mental health clinician. Matthew enthusiastically believes God’s Word is sufficient for all of life (2 Tim. 3:16-17) and the basis for faithful Christian homeschooling. Matthew lives in the Sierra foothills, he loves his wife’s cooking, fishing, and being at church.

Amy Hughes

Amy is a mom of 9 living on the central coast of California. She is a writer, speaker, a contributor to Wild + Free, a Christian gentle parenting coach, and an Enneagram 4. Amy is an author with her debut book coming out in 2025. She reads way too many books, drinks way too much coffee, and is the queen of awkward silences.

The Art of Strewing

What is strewing and how can you use it in your homeschool to encourage learning? Learn how strewing books and nature can enrich your children’s education and create passionate, life-long learners.

Peaceful Parenting for Christians

Is peaceful gentle parenting an option for Christians? Learn about a more peaceful and intentional parenting path that is both Christ-honoring and chid-honoring.

You Potty Trained Them; You Can Teach Them to Read!

You’ve decided (or may still be on the fence a bit!) to do this scary thing called “homeschooling.” Now you’re wondering, “What next? Can I really do this?” You probably have lots of questions of how best to proceed for your family. Join Dena as she helps you with the next steps, as well as some additional hints and tips, to aid you on this exciting journey – whatever age your children may be.

Dena Bless

Being married over 25 years and homeschooling both their daughters all the way through high school
graduation, Dena Bless hopes that her experiences can be used to encourage and support others. When
their first daughter was born, people began immediately asking if they were going to homeschool. Dena
likes to say that her reply was always, “Well, it depends on who you ask. my husband or the one who
will have to actually do it!” Before long, however, they were both convinced that this was the plan God
had for their family, and what started as a year-to-year commitment soon became a lifelong journey.
Now, their older daughter has graduated from college and their younger one is a junior at Grand Canyon
University. In addition, Dena serves as the Events Manager with CHEA (Christian Home Educators
Association) of CA; she and her husband, Ed, are the Bay Area/Nor Cal RABs; and Dena is the leader of
the PSP she belonged to for several years as the previous leader recently retired. Having a heart for
families and being sold out to the benefits of private, Christian home education, she is excited to
support and mentor others in any way possible.

Family Read Alouds

Our family has enjoyed reading Lamplighter books out-loud for years! We’ve seen the

incredible influence these stories have had on our family—and we’re excited to share what we’ve experienced! Discover tips on how to start reading out loud with your family, see how Lamplighter books can inspire character in both readers and listeners, and create your own reading list with what we believe to be the best read-aloud Lamplighter books for read-alouds!

Gabriel Luedecke is a homeschool graduate of 21 who works with his dad making custom cabinets. The Luedecke family enjoys spending their summers traveling to homeschool conventions and working the Lamplighter booth. Gabriel has attended the Lamplighter Summer Guild twice, and his favorite thing is to talk to people at homeschool conventions about Lamplighter books and how they teach character through their stories.