Keynote Speakers

Speaker Application

Keynote Speakers

Our Amazing Keynote Speakers

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.

Connect with Carrie at coffeewithcarrie.org
Email at coffeewithcarriehomeschool@gmail.com

Keynote Session –

Just Breathe & Simplify Your Homeschooling

You can homeschool simply, enjoyably, (and inexpensively)! Regain your sanity, reclaim your
schedule, and reignite your love for homeschooling. In this session, Carrie shares eight simple
strategies to help parents apply the “less is more” principle. Learn how to remove the chaos
and simplify your life, your home, and your homeschooling while focusing on what is truly
important, having fun, and creating lasting memories.

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

Connect with Carrie at coffeewithcarrie.org
Email at coffeewithcarriehomeschool@gmail.com

Keynote Session –

Interdisciplinary Learning: Integrating Math with Art, Science and History

Unlock the potential of interdisciplinary learning by integrating math with subjects like science, art, and history. Learn how to design lessons that connect math to real-world applications, such as using geometry in art projects, applying algebra in scientific experiments, and exploring mathematical patterns in historical events. These techniques will not only make math more relevant and interesting for your child but also foster a deeper understanding and appreciation of the subject.

Nicole Thomas

Nicole Thomas believes that homeschooling can and should be designed in whatever manner best fits your family. So, when she became aware that many homeschool parents were filled with worry when it came to their students’ math needs, she knew she could help! In 2017, she started recording videos to clearly and concisely teach tough math concepts. Seven years and 4,000 videos later, Nicole the Math Lady teaches tens of thousands of students each day while also creating a game-changing environment for the entire family. Nicole holds Bachelors’ Degrees in Economics and Psychology from Stanford University, resides in Florida with her family and homeschools her teenage son.

Connect with at Nicole Thomas.

Keynote Session –

Built for This: How Homeschooling Taps Into Your Natural Leadership Skills

You didn’t plan on becoming a leader of a small (and sometimes chaotic) educational startup, but here you are- managing everything from curriculum decisions to cafeteria complaints. In Built for This, we’ll take a light-hearted but honest look at how homeschooling draws out leadership qualities you didn’t even know you had—like crisis management (a.k.a. math meltdowns), conflict resolution (like when that used book you bought is missing Lesson 63,) visionary thinking (a.k.a. writing a High School transcript) and strategic delegation (because you do NOT need to do it all yourself.) This keynote will remind you that you’re not just “winging it”—you’re leading with purpose, creativity, and grit. You’ll leave encouraged, entertained, and maybe even a little proud of just how qualified you are for this wild and wonderful role. Spoiler alert: you were built for this.

Keynote Speakers

Our Amazing Keynote Speakers

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 reluctant writers 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 fifteen, making their home in northeastern Oklahoma’s beautiful green country.

Keynote Session –

Nurturing Competent Communicators

Many teachers and parents assume that good readers will naturally become good writers. Others think that writing talent is a natural ability. Some have it. Others don’t. Both are myths. History and modern research demonstrate how good writers develop the two most critical skills needed for a high level of aptitude in writing. With humor and insight, Andrew Pudewa explains these two easy but powerful skills, which build language patterns and nurture competent communicators.

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. https://nicolethemathlady.com

Keynote Session –

Do You Mean My Kids Can Actually Love (and Do Well in) Math? – Yep! How much your kids love (and if they do well in) math is mostly up to how it is taught. Come learn Nicole’s secrets – six teaching strategies to make math engaging, clear, and, yes, even fun. Prepare to be engaged, amazed, and up and out of your seats! You’ll leave wishing this is how you had learned math.