Thrive! Speakers
Codes for talks:
G: General interest to all parents
B: Beginners and inquirers
L: Parents of struggling learners
Y: Parents of young children preschool to early elementary
O: Parents of older elementary age (may include middle school)
P: Parents of teens (and possibly teens)
D: Dads
M: Mom
T: Teens and alums
The numbers before the talks under the speaker bios represent the session numbers; the letters represent the interest codes.
Featured Speakers
Christy Faith, a social media powerhouse with over 350k followers and millions of video views, motivates countless moms to take the homeschooling leap, remain steadfast, and revitalize their purpose. With 20+ years in education and homeschooling, she has advised countless kids and families, including high-profile clients. Known as a “teacher’s teacher,” her heart is to help parents build homeschools their kids will thank them for later. She is host of The Christy-Faith Show podcast, founder of Thrive Homeschool Community, and author of Homeschool Rising.
1 MYO Balancing Act: Giving Your Kids What They Need without Overwhelming
7 B Homeschooling 101: Doing It Scared
8 G Resistant Kids. Lack of Motivation. Constant Battles. Help!
Friday Night General Session The Featured Speakers Answer Your Questions
9 OP Goodbye Math Struggles
11 M Overcoming Self-Doubt: The Quiet Battle of Homeschooling
Michael P. Farris was founding president of both the Home School Legal Defense Association (1983) and Patrick Henry College (2000) and continues to serve as chairman of the board of HSLDA and chancellor emeritus of PHC. Farris served as the president and CEO of Alliance Defending Freedom from 2017 to 2022. In “semi-retirement,” he serves as general counsel to the National Religious Broadcasters and consults with the Convention of States Project. For over 40 years, Farris has practiced constitutional appellate litigation specializing in religious freedom and parental rights. Mike was CEO of ADF while ADF served as co-counsel to the Attorney General of Mississippi for the case of Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health which reversed Roe v. Wade. Farris also served as the Co-Chairman of the Drafting Committee for the Religious Freedom Restoration Act, which was enacted by Congress in 1993. For his work in homeschooling, Farris was named one of the Top 100 Faces in Education of the 20th Century by Education Week. Farris is the author of over fifteen books. He and his wife, Vickie, have ten children, many grandchildren, and one great-grandchild.
3 M The Spiritual Power of a Mother
Friday Keynote The Ever-Escalating Battle against Parental Rights
6 G Key Insights from 33 Years of Homeschooling
8 GT The Constitution & Civics for Both You and Your Children
Friday Night General Session The Featured Speakers Answer Your Questions
10 D The Homeschooling Father
Andrea Hall, at the heart of EPIC Homeschool Network, is a guiding light for homeschooling families seeking clarity, confidence, and a sense of community. In 2012, she embraced the homeschooling path for her children. Andrea has a BS in math education and a master’s in curriculum, instruction, and assessment. She channels her knowledge and creativity into developing curriculum materials, available in her Teachers Pay Teachers store. Her personal interests include restful sleep, losing herself in books, and expressing her thoughts through journaling. Understanding the challenges of homeschooling firsthand, Andrea is intimately familiar with the feelings of anxiety, lack of focus, and overwhelm that can accompany this educational journey. As a busy, working homeschooling mom herself, she leverages her extensive experience and knowledge to offer unparalleled support and guidance to other homeschooling families.
2 G Designing Your Own Homeschool Curriculum
3 G Making Math Meaningful—Real-World Math for Homeschoolers
4 GB The 5-Step Path to Your Best Homeschool Year Ever
5 M Balancing Work and Homeschooling Like a Pro
6 M Staying Focused as a Homeschooling Mom
Abraham Hamilton, III (Abe) is a husband, father of six wonderful children, homeschool dad, lawyer, Bible teacher, and national radio and television talk show host. He serves as American Family Association’s General Counsel and host of The Hamilton Corner, which airs Monday through Friday at 5 p.m. CT on the American Family Radio Network (AFR). He also hosts The Hamilton Corner television program, which airs Friday evenings at 8 p.m. CT on the National Religious Broadcasters Television Network (NRB TV). He has an undergraduate degree in New Testament biblical literature and a juris doctor degree. Abe is a Home School Legal Defense Association (HSLDA) board member and is licensed to practice law in Texas and Louisiana.
2 G You Shall Love the Lord with Your Mind
4 G Declaration of Dependence
7 DG Fatherhood Is Essential
Friday Night General Session The Featured Speakers Answer Your Questions
Saturday Keynote The Family: God’s Primary Mission Station
11 G Contending for the Faith in a Post-Truth Culture
Dr. Rochelle Matthews-Somerville is an esteemed educator with over twenty-five years of clinical experience in early childhood and special education. With a background that includes an MS in special education focused on autism/Asperger syndrome and behavior disorders and a doctorate in psychological and cultural studies with a concentration in severe and communication disorders, she has served as a university professor, county-wide autism specialist, educational consultant, and K-12 resource teacher. In 2010, Dr. Matthews-Somerville co-founded EFM Educational Consultants, channeling her expertise to support homeschooling families, particularly those with children with disabilities. Since joining the Home School Legal Defense Association in 2019 as a special needs educational consultant, she now serves as an educational resource specialist. Dr. Matthews-Somerville, a mother of six, has been homeschooling her children for fifteen years and remains dedicated to providing high-quality, inclusive educational resources and support to families.
2 L You Can Homeschool Your Neurodivergent Learner—and We Can Help!
5 L Developing and Drafting an SEP (Student Education Plan)
7 L Understanding the Strengths in Students with Executive Functioning Disorders
Friday Night General Session The Featured Speakers Answer Your Questions
9 L Understanding the Twice Exceptional Learner—Boundless Gifts
11 L You Can Homeschool Your Child with Autism! Building a Successful Program
Renton Rathbun has been a classroom teacher for over twenty-five years. His teaching experience has included both secular and Christian colleges and universities. He and his wife homeschooled their oldest son, Daniel, and are now homeschooling their two littles, Jude and Olivia. Renton has spoken for homeschool conventions and podcasts all over the nation. Renton holds a BS in English education and an MA in interpretative speech from Bob Jones University. He has also received an MFA in creative writing from Minnesota State University, an MA in philosophy from the University of Toledo, a ThM from Puritan Reformed Theological Seminary, and a PhD in apologetics from Westminster Theological Seminary. Renton serves as the director of the Center for Biblical Worldview in Greenville, SC.
1 T Intro to Apologetics: Not Exactly What Was Expected
3 T The Problem of the Unbeliever in Apologetics
4 T Walking Away from the Faith: The Roots of Gen Z Thinking & How to Respond
6 T Living in a Trans World: How Gender Identity Affects Young People
8 P Losing Our Religion in How We Think: Creating a Stickier Biblical Worldview
Friday Night General Session The Featured Speakers Answer Your Questions
10 T Only in the Mind? Why Biblical Worldview Must Develop Holiness
Additional Speakers
Margie Abbitt, from Mount Airy, NC, and married for 42 years, homeschooled their “Brady Bunch” of 3 boys and 3 girls for about 30 years. Margie homeschooled in different states using a variety of curriculum/teaching methods to meet the needs of diversified students. She especially enjoys a unit study/hands-on approach to teaching to make learning fun and active. Margie has organized, led, and taught in co-ops/tutorials for about 25 years. Margie has worked as an academic counselor for homeschoolers helping families and students from many varied backgrounds, learning styles and challenges. As a founder of The Homeschool Counseling Team, the author of Myths of Education: Truths That Will Set You Free, and a speaker, Margie continues to share her passion for helping parents/grandparents navigate their homeschool experience while encouraging them in their homeschooling journey.
3 PT How to Survive High School and Enjoy the Journey, aka, Don’t Stress
5 G Set Free to Homeschool: It’s Not Traditional School
Aaron Brewster is not only a graduate of home education and a homeschooling parent himself, but he’s also the creator of Expectational Education, an academic system that equips children to achieve their best to the glory of God. Aaron is a biblical family counselor and host of the award-winning Truth.Love.Parent. podcast. He has 30 years of experience in education, a masters of biblical counseling from Bob Jones Seminary, is certified through the Association of Certified Biblical Counselors, specializes in ministering to at-risk children and hurting families, and is the author of Quit: How to Stop Family Strife for Good.
1 G Expectational Education
7 G The 5 Types of Homeschooling Parents
Clay Broussard is a father of 8 who has taught them all! (13-29) He holds a BA in economics from UT@Austin and a MA from SES in Charlotte. He also works for a Global Technology Firm. He has served in various churches as an elder, teacher, and ministry leader. The last 10 years, he has developed and taught courses for Christian co-ops, and this has led to the launch of the IdeasMatterProject: Aimed at educational renewal. He has a love for the Bible, theology and philosophy, and history and economics. His “big idea” is the central role of a theistic worldview in every discipline: Education is anything but “neutral!” Clay exudes enthusiasm and believes that much work needs to be done to reclaim education from the atheistic/Marxist onslaught. “The epic contest for flourishing civilization is being waged across the battlefield of your child’s mind. Fight to win!” -IdeasMatterU
10 G Teaching without Infused Worldview Is Dangerous for Our Kids!
Dr. Janice Broyles is an English professor with over 20 years of experience. She earned her doctorate in educational leadership and considers it an honor and privilege to teach others, as well as her own children. She is also an author of more than seven award-winning books and the owner of Late November Literary, a small publisher located in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. She is the proud mother of two sons, Jonathan and Benjamin. Jonathan is now a law enforcement officer, and Benjamin is sixteen and in the eleventh grade. Janice and her husband, John, decided that providing the best education for their sons starts at home. She and her family are from the great state of Michigan but now currently reside in the lovely (and much warmer) state of North Carolina.
7 G Building a Strong Writer
10 G Reading and Writing: The Perfect Combination!
June Campbell has more than 40 years of experience as a teacher, homeschool mom, and founder of Campbell Christian Academy and Campbell Academy Online. She focuses on helping families avoid the distractions and pitfalls of modern education by focusing on mastery of the basics. She has been interviewed nationally and her curriculum is used around the world. She has published Pure Phonics, Pure Math, Pure Grammar, and Pure Spelling, as well as children’s books available on iTunes. She lives in Dallas, Texas, with her husband, Dean, and teaches alongside her daughter, Kelly.
3 YL Teach Reading to Your Young or Struggling Reader
Angie Cutlip is the director of ATC Educational Services, providing in-person & virtual professional consulting, resources & Woodcock-Johnson testing. She resides in Wendell, NC, with her husband. Angie has testing locations in Wendell, Zebulon, & Charlotte. She holds a masters degree in education in curriculum & instruction. She taught in public school for 10 years where she also served as a teacher trainer. Angie homeschooled her children from birth through early college. She serves families through a Facebook group with over 24k NC homeschool families. She is most known for her passion & love in helping families. She understands differences in learning (she has dyslexia) and specializes in reading & math instruction. Outside of homeschooling, she loves to bass fish. You can read testimonials from families she has served on her website under testimonials at http://www.atced.com.
6 BG Choosing and Using Curriculum
8 G Testing Testing One Two Three
Aliyah Daley is a passionate educator, homeschooling parent, and advocate dedicated to transforming education through holistic, garden-based, and community-centered learning. As the founder of Daley Balance, she collaborates with homeschooling families and schools to use gardening as a tool to inspire a love for learning, nature, and family, and community bonding. With a master’s degree in education and certification as a school garden educator, Aliyah designs inclusive, hands-on programs, fostering physical, mental, and social-emotional growth. Dedicated to health and wellness, Aliyah integrates gardening to teach sustainability, mindfulness, and healthy living ensuring education nurtures the whole child and fosters a lifelong connection to nature.
9 G Plant, Learn, Thrive: Gardening for Education and Wellness
Amy Denton has 28 years of experience in higher education; helping students achieve their dream of attending college or pursue an alternative pathway after high school. She has worked at College Foundation, Inc. since 2007 as the CFNC associate outreach director for Northeast North Carolina providing information on career planning, academic planning, applying to college, and paying for college including scholarships, grants, loans and North Carolina’s 529 Savings Plan. Prior to joining the outreach team at CFI, she was director of admissions at Barton College in Wilson, NC, for over 10 years.
7 P Money Matters: Saving and Paying for College
Mike Dickson, known online as The Fit Farmer, is a former professional natural bodybuilder who traded the gym life for farm life—growing his own food, raising animals, and living off the land. In 2014, he and his wife, Lacie, felt called to pursue a simpler, more intentional way of living. They sold their city home, moved their young family into a 700 sq. ft. yurt in the countryside, and began their homesteading journey—fueled by faith, family, and a desire to live out their values. Today, they homeschool their children, run a thriving farmstead, and share the ups and downs of their agrarian lifestyle on Mike’s YouTube channel, The Fit Farmer. Through his content and public speaking, Mike encourages others to live healthier, more connected lives rooted in faith, family, and the land.
6 G Chores & Character: Raising Self-sufficient Children of God
8 G Homegrown Living (Homesteading): Q&A Session with the Fit Farmer & Family
Dr. Seann Dikkers is a husband and father of two homeschooled children. He currently works as chief product officer at Portals, developing support for new homeschooling families. He has worked as a middle school teacher, high school principal, researcher, department chair of education, and authored books including TeacherCraft, Mobile Media Learning, and Real-Time Research exploring the powerful impact of play, design, and, *gasp* even having fun while learning.
1 G The Digital Divide
8 YO Play More
Jessica Embry, M.Ed., is a seasoned educator and homeschool advocate with over 25 years of experience. She holds a bachelor of arts in English and chemistry from Salem College, with a minor in mathematics and a master’s in education from Regent University. Her personal journey in education began with homeschooling alongside three siblings, inspiring her passion for personalized learning. Currently, Jessica and her husband homeschool their three children, spanning preschool to high school. As a professional homeschool coach, she supports families with tailored resources and guidance. Her teaching philosophy centers on encouraging students to explore their unique interests within a nurturing, faith-based environment. Active in her community, Jessica serves on her local co-op board, where she continues to teach and mentor other educators.
2 G Gifted Homeschooling
Jeff Ertzberger currently serves as a faculty member and director of technology in the Watson College of Education at UNC Wilmington, where he teaches graduate and undergraduate courses in instructional design and instructional technology. A former public school teacher, Jeff has been a featured speaker at regional, national, and international conferences. His unique experiences and personality allow him to present sometimes complex technologies in ways that are understandable and fun! As an elder at New Hanover Church and a homeschool father of three, Jeff sees the needs of parents in the homeschool and is able to take his knowledge of technology to find ways to make teaching any subject easier and more effective.
9 G Teaching on a Shoestring Budget—Tie into These Free Tech Tools
Aimee Eucce is a second-generation homeschooling mom. She beat the odds—from a homeschooled kid who struggled with dyslexia, ADHD, and auditory processing issues to a college grad and successful entrepreneur. She now speaks across the country, inspiring and equipping homeschool families in all different stages of homeschooling. She brings a unique perspective as a pastor’s kid who was homeschooled in the dark ages aka the 80s. You will laugh, cry and walk away inspired to tackle whatever challenges life throws at your homeschooling family. She is the owner of Play ‘n Talk Phonics, Spelling, & Typing curriculum.
5 YO Why Teaching Boys to Read/Spell Is Different than Teaching Girls
9 Y Homeschooling Your 2, 3 and 4-year-olds! A Practical How-to Session
Jessica Frierson is a homeschool graduate from western North Carolina. She and her husband, Ernie, homeschool their ten children, with the seventh one graduating this year. Jessica is a writer, graphic designer, and graphic design instructor. She has served on the NCHE board since 2014, supporting homeschooling families and advocating for home education. Jessica’s journey as both a student and teacher have provided a unique perspective on the value of homeschooling in fostering creativity, independence, and a lifelong love of learning.
2 PT Bridging the Gap: Preparing Homeschoolers for Careers in Industry
Michelle Gano is a homeschooling mom of three with a passion for making learning joyful and meaningful. As a former teacher, she was known for setting aside rigid lesson plans to focus on what truly mattered—building strong emotional connections, meeting her students’ unique needs, and creating a fun, engaging environment where kids could thrive. Now, she shares her God-given purpose and ministry by helping homeschooling parents find practical, easy-to-implement strategies that work, even on the busiest days. With her infectious joy and expertise (master’s degree in literacy education and bachelor’s degree in elementary education), Michelle will inspire you to see learning in a whole new light!
6 Y Help, My Kids Are Bored (& So Am I)!
10 Y Help, I’m Outnumbered & Teaching Multiple Grades!
Debra Haagen is a veteran homeschooling mother to four wonderful children and the owner of the homeschool publishing company Knowledge Box Central. She and her husband, Perry, a VA hospital chaplain, live in Tennessee. She loves homeschooling, music, scrapbooking, reading, writing, beagles, and American Eskimo dogs.
6 G Oh Boy! Homeschooling the Young Ruffian
11 GT The Theory of Intelligent Design
Eve Hullette was inspired by her father, David Kelly, from the time she was small to love mathematics. After earning a BS in applied mathematics from NCSU, her passion for solving logical and mathematical problems led her to a computer-programming career. One very kind husband and three children later, she has focused her love for learning on homeschooling her own children with her first entering university this fall. She loves to encourage other homeschooling families on their journey—and especially to share practical ways to ignite a love for math in students that currently find it impossible or boring. In her mind, the study of math should not be just another worksheet to complete, but an exploration into patterns that can be understood, applied to other subjects, and enjoyed. In her free time, Eve enjoys spending time doing whatever with her family.
4 YO Math Games: Laughter and Learning All in One
Kayla Jennings is a Christian teenager with a heart for the Lord, a deep love for her family, and a passion for writing. She greatly desires to see more morally uplifting content flood schools, libraries, and homes. Kayla loves debate and public speaking. She has an avid interest in politics and policy as well as the arts and their effects on American cultures. For hobbies, she enjoys playing the piano, cooking, and reading. She is a homeschool graduate and lives in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, with her parents and five younger siblings.
7 T Don’t Waste Your Youth
Darren Jones is senior counsel and director of group services for Home School Legal Defense Association, where he has worked for almost 30 years. He and his wife Sara homeschool as a team, with Darren doing most of the planning and Sara implementing and teaching on a day-to-day basis. They have graduated 3 and are still teaching 1. Darren has advised homeschool families and groups around the country about how to comply with homeschool laws, and he is an advocate for the freedom to homeschool with maximum flexibility. He enjoys board games, teaching Sunday school, and speaking at homeschool conferences.
10 G The Secret to Homeschool Freedom
Natalie Mack is an author, TEDx speaker, and experienced twenty-three years military home educator. She is known for her words of encouragement and advocacy for homeschooling. She is known for her motto, “Let’s Get It Done” which encourages homeschoolers that you can homeschool to college successfully! Natalie is a retired Navy chaplain’s spouse and mom of five: four college graduates and a 12th grader. She owns Natalie Mack, LLC, which provides homeschool educational consultations and speaking services. Natalie is also the founder of Military Homeschoolers Association which hosts the podcast: “Base2Base Military Homeschooling.” Additionally, Natalie is the military community outreach coordinator for HSLDA. Natalie’s published works include the book 101 Tips for Homeschoolers available on Amazon and several magazine articles.
5 TP Military Service Routes for Homeschool Graduates
11 TP NCAA—How to Navigate for Success
Mike & Ronda Marshall live in Asheville, NC, and completed 26 years of homeschooling when they graduated the youngest of their 6 children in 2021. They have served on the NCHE board since 2003 where Mike has served as president and regional director, and Ronda has served as homeschool helps director, advisor, and as the community relations director. They have established and coordinated local homeschool support groups, email groups, co-ops, enrichment classes, and conferences in their area. Ronda served as the director of Biltmore Church Homeschool Ministry that serves over 200 families in western NC. They have had the privilege of speaking at various support groups and state conferences where they love having the opportunity to encourage families in this wonderful, yet sometimes challenging, homeschooling journey.
1 G Secrets of Endurance: Successful Co-ops and Tutorials (Ronda)
9 B Getting Off to a Great Start
Inga Masek supports overwhelmed homeschool moms in managing stress and building a “breathable homeschool” that adapts as their family grows and changes. With over 30 years in education, as a certified life coach and a homeschooling mom of four, Inga shares practical strategies, biblical encouragement, and proven stress-relief techniques on her weekly podcast, Catch Your Breath with Inga. She reminds moms that embracing their “perfectly imperfect” selves allows them to step away from perfectionism, lean on God, and trust Him with their children’s growth and their homeschooling journey.
7 B 7 Key Questions to Build Your Homeschool Blueprint
10 G Create a Breathable Homeschool: Flexibility that Fits Your Family
Debbie Mason and husband, Spencer, have 4 adult children who were homeschooled from birth. Alexa graduated from UNCC and is a homeschooling mother. Scott graduated from Grove City College and Regent School of Law and is a lawyer in the Army. Levi has his master’s and bachelor’s from NC State and is a computer engineer. Mereda graduated from UNC Chapel Hill and is a mother and fiction writer. She has 7 grandchildren who are all being homeschooled. An NCHE member since 1985 and board member since 1988, Debbie is currently the NCHE events director and media director. She also directed a large homeschool support group for over 22 years. Debbie has a BS in secondary education, mathematics, and a MEd in counseling.
4 P The Empty Nest—It’s Coming
7 Y Homeschooling Young Children
Levi Mason is an NCHE homeschool alum and lifelong homeschool enthusiast. He is a son of Spencer and Debbie Mason and has long volunteered at Thrive! He lives in Durham, NC, with his wife Jessica and has worked for 15+ years as a software developer. In 2024, Levi quit his job in big tech and began building a faith-based software platform for churches. He is passionate about questioning conventions and searching for truth.
9 TG Why Technology Keeps Us Lonely
Dana McDill is the wife of Matthew McDill, NCHE’s executive director. They live in Clemmons and have been homeschooling for 21 years. They have 9 children—2 married and 2 will be soon, one out on his own working, and 4 still living at home who are ages 17-11. Dana has a heart to mentor other women and moms, especially younger moms. She knows what it is like to feel all alone and be overwhelmed and need the encouragement of someone who can just tell you it is all going to be ok and that you are not alone! She wants you to know the joys and struggles of her homeschooling and mothering journey and to help you on yours!
8 M Self Sabotage: Are You Working against Yourself
Matthew McDill and his wife, Dana, live in Clemmons, NC, with four of their nine children. Matthew has been in pastoral ministry for over twenty-five years and is now the executive director for North Carolinians for Home Education. He earned his M.Div. and Ph.D. at Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary and authored the book Loving God: A Practical Handbook for Discipleship. Matthew loves to teach from God’s Word, especially on topics related to family relationships, discipleship, parenting, leadership, and home education.
3 G Leading Homeschoolers in North Carolina
4 P How to Help Your Children Discern God’s Direction in Their Lives
9 YO How to Stop the Fighting in Your Home
Marji McIlvaine & husband Rick homeschooled for 26 years in four states and are now officially retired as homeschool parents. All six children have graduated from homeschooling, half are college graduates or students or working. Marji’s heart is to encourage other parents in the homeschool journey. She served on the board of Henderson County Homeschool Association for 20 years, administers the Woodcock-Johnson test in WNC, teaches homeschoolers online and in person with My Fun Science online academy and Classical Scholars Tutorials in WNC. Marji also tutors students with reading difficulties. She has a passion for foreign languages, science, writing, history, oh, the whole of God’s incredible creation, and for sharing the joy in those subjects with her own children and others in our homeschooling community.
4 G Homeschooling, Foreign Languages, and Me—Can We Make This Work?
11 G Fifty Homeschooling Things I Did Not Do: Confessions
Terrie McKee is an author, speaker, podcaster, and blogger who also homeschools her youngest daughter. Married to Greg (who is paralyzed), together they have four children who all have varying special needs. She encourages parents who are homeschooling either singletons or children with special needs on her website, Homeschooling1Child.com.
10 L Choosing Curriculum for Struggling Learners
Don and Renita Miller have been teaching science for 30 years. They desire to make science both deep and fun for kids of all ages and use it to glorify God. Don majored in biology and has a master’s degree in curriculum development. He has worked with the VP of Apple Computers, heading up the science and math online curriculum. He and Renita are directors of Crosswired Science (5000 families) for students ages 4-18. Don has a Ted Talk on “Teaching Deep Science to Children of All Ages.” They have taught over 10,000 students science face-to-face (K-12) in classes & in summer camp settings. Renita is the mom of 8 homeschooled children—the 4 oldest: CPA, teacher, nurse, full-time ministry. She holds a bachelor’s degree. She has written magazine articles and has 12 years of product reviewing for Old Schoolhouse Magazine. Renita has led homeschool co-ops in AR/TX & been on staff for THSC.
2 OPT Showing the Love, Power, and Beauty of God with Science
5 OPT Two Trains—Which Will You Ride? (Wisdom or Knowledge)
Adelaide Olguin will help you create a homeschool experience that makes your heart beat with excitement, has your kids going on and on about what they’re learning, and silences the doubters, including that little voice in your head, whispering that you aren’t enough to homeschool your kids. She wants your homeschool to be better than any other option out there. Language immersion program. Check! Traveling the world while you homeschool. Check! Focusing on what will actually help your child to be a successful adult. Double check! She is the creator of TalkBox.Mom, which has families talking in a foreign language the same day they start. But the most important part of her day is homeschooling her boys.
1 G Leave the Homeschool Room: Travel the World
Danielle Papageorgiou is married to Jon, and together they have two homeschool graduates and a 13-year-old. She has been homeschooling, or “lifeschooling,” for 23 years and has a passion for helping other moms learn how to homeschool in a way that enhances rather than competes with family life. Her desire is to help moms find their children’s gifts and learn how to merge life with homeschooling.
2 M 5 Lifeschooling Hacks (+1 Secret) to Conquering Homeschool Burnout
Mandie Rose owns a mobile small engine repair business and works as the primary mechanic. She’s married to Nick, and they have five children ages 6-18. She also teaches small engine camps with hundreds of students each year and has homeschooled since the beginning. Her passion is actively engaging students to work with their hands, promoting the trades by encouraging tradesmen to do the same, and engaging parents to educate their children based on interest and aptitude. You can meet her at this year’s Trades Fair!
11 PL Teaching the Trades
Abigail Schopen is a homeschool graduate and internationally recognized independent film director. Born, raised, and homeschooled in Charlotte, NC, Abigail’s love for the arts and her city began at a young age, directing younger siblings in family Easter pageants. She is now the co-producer with her husband of Schopix Studios, which sets their focus on creating quality family entertainment with local talent and crew. She directed the short film musical @tori_love in 2023 which won the Charlotte 48-Hour film competition and went to Filmapalooza in Lisbon, Portugal. Abigail’s next short film Chaos & Dragons took home 5 awards in the Charlotte competition. Schopix recently completed their first feature film, Tales of Finch, a superhero sci-fi adventure available to stream soon.
5 T Film Your Dreams
Sandy Smith is the certified neurodevelopmental specialist at Carolinas Biofeedback Clinic in Pineville, NC. Through her own family, she has had the opportunity to face many challenges—developmental delays, behavioral challenges, sensory issues, tantrums, traumas, academic challenges and more. As a teacher for almost 2 decades, she always seemed to be drawn to the most challenging children and spent her teaching career specifically helping those families and those students. She has a passion for helping children with academic, behavioral, and developmental challenges. Through her work, she helps families get to the source of the problem, the brain itself. She is an active and dynamic speaker and loves working with families to help their children reach their individual potential.
1 GL The Impact of Brain Development on Behavior & the Ability to Learn
3 Y Brain-Savvy Parents
Cheryl Vandegrift along with her sister, Allyx, are neurodivergent coaches and educators. They are on a mission to help families, professionals, and educators understand autism and ADHD to better support the neurodivergent people in their lives. Cheryl is an Air Force veteran, with a bachelor’s in psychology, and she is actually autistic with ADHD herself, giving valuable insight into how the autistic mind works and processes the world. Allyx is a former science teacher, was certified in early childhood development, and has over six years of experience working for CPS as a respite care provider for special needs foster children, and she has ADHD as well. They have both been homeschooling their children for years, and each have a child on the spectrum. Allyx will be joining Cheryl virtually for her talk.
4 L Pathological Demand Avoidance or Oppositional Defiance Disorder
Amanda Wares is a 20 year homeschooling veteran. Three of her four children have graduated from her homeschool, and they all still love each other! Amanda is married to Michael and is still homeschooling one teenager in central North Carolina. She serves in homeschool leadership at the local and state level, and is passionate about encouraging and equipping others on their homeschool journey.
2 B Help for New Homeschoolers
6 P How to Homeschool High School
Pat Wesolowski is an author, speaker, and homeschooling mother of 9 who is now the homeschool specialist at Bryan College in Dayton, TN, and a part of the Homeschool Counseling Team. After homeschooling her 9 children for the past 32 years, she is finally finished! Pat has a heart for helping parents find joy in their homeschooling experience and, for that reason, loves teaching workshops in order to encourage and equip parents for a fun and successful homeschool experience. Pat is the host of a podcast entitled “The Homeschool Specialist,” writes a blog, and has authored numerous unit studies for homeschooled students. She has written a free E-resource to help parents plan for a successful high school experience: http://www.bryan.edu/ebook.
1 PT Maximizing Educational Opportunities for High School Students
3 G Relaxed Homeschooling Will Not Ruin Your Kids!
Elise Woodworth, president of Woodworth Enterprises, empowers nonprofits and their boards, leveraging her experience as a former US Air Force logistics officer. She is a best-selling author of “Business Not Battle for Nonprofit Boards,” specializing in leadership and governance. Beyond her work, Elise serves on the Virginia Military Institute’s Foundation board and volunteers with various organizations. Holding an MBA and a bachelor of science in biology, she combines strategic management with dynamic speaking engagements, offering insights drawn from her experiences as a homeschooling mother of five and former military spouse.
5 G Balancing Homeschooling and Small Business Ownership