2009 CONVENTION - SPEAKERS

Guest Speakers

Doug Phillips is the founder and director of Vision Forum, a discipleship and training ministry that emphasizes Christian apologetics, world-view training, multi-generational faithfulness, and creative solutions whereby fathers can play a maximum role in family discipleship. He is a passionate communicator with a heart for home education and the restoration of Christian family and culture to the glory of God. As a constitutional attorney, Doug served six years at Home School Legal Defense Association and as Director for the National Center for Home Education. Doug and his wife, Beall, have eight children - Joshua, Justice, Liberty, Jubilee, Faith Evangeline, Honor, Providence, and Virginia Hope. They live in San Antonio, Texas.

As president and founder of Mantle Ministries, for over 30 years, Richard "LittleBear" Wheeler has had the unique privilege in ministry of communicating faith and family-building messages over a span of two generations of home-educated families throughout North America, as well as overseas. "Little Bear" and wife, Marilyn, have been married for 36 years, and as veteran homeschool parents of 3 adult children, they are now enjoying the mantle of grand-parenthood. Also at the home front, Richard "Little Bear" Wheeler serves as co-pastor of Living Water Fellowship Church—a family-integrated fellowship in Bulverde, Texas. On the ministry field, through dramatic presentations and portrayals, "Little Bear" continues to equip, challenge, and inspire audiences of all ages with timely messages of biblical truth and character sketches involving the providence of God throughout history and the relevance of a growing faith in Christ Jesus today.

Mary Schofield and her husband Paul began homeschooling in 1986. Their children graduated, married, moved into their own homes, got decent jobs, and are doing fine out in "the real world" despite the fears of homeschool naysayers. Mary wrote The High School Handbook, a guide to home educating junior and senior high school students, based on years of experience, research, and prayer. She speaks at home education conventions throughout the United States, encouraging parents to seek God's unique plan for their families. Mary has been enjoying her "retirement" from active homeschooling by continuing to serve on the Board of Directors for the Christian Home Educators Association of California and by remaining active in legal and legislative issues surrounding private and home education, family freedoms, and parental rights. She also found time to go back to school, get a law degree, and become an attorney with her own practice in northern California. However, her favorite activity these days is playing with her grandchildren.

Featured and Workshop Speakers

Mark August and his wife Sue have one son, Jack, born in 1993. Jack has been home-schooled all his life. They live in Medford, a South Jersey suburb of Philadelphia. Mark and Sue were married in 1980. Both began their ongoing relationship with Jesus Christ as teenagers. The Augusts are members of Sovereign Grace Church in Cherry Hill. They are co-leaders of their church's 50-family homeschool support group. The Augusts are also members of their local homeschool support group, Living Water Home Educators. Mark serves as ENOCH of New Jersey's Central Legislative Liaison. He serves on a statewide task force whose mission is to respond to any legislation that may threaten the freedoms that NJ homeschoolers enjoy. Mark's passion is to encourage homeschoolers to think outside the box in their approach to homeschooling and to see homeschooling primarily as a way of discipling children in the ways of the Lord, rather than merely an educational choice.

Rick and Marilyn Boyer are true pioneers of the home education movement. They began teaching the eldest of their fourteen children at home in 1980 and are still actively homeschooling their four youngest children today. Rick and Marilyn have authored several books on homeschooling and Christian parenthood and have spoken at conferences all across America and in several foreign countries. Their books have been translated into a number of foreign languages and have circulated around the world. Their ministry, The Learning Parent, encourages parents through their web site (www.thelearningparent.com). Marilyn is always appreciated for her keen and warmhearted insights into parenting while Rick, with his humorous, folksy style has been called "the Will Rogers of the homeschooling movement."

Don and Darlene Catlett have homeschooled their four children, ages 25 to 17, since 1988. Having graduated three of their children from high school at home, and working toward graduation with their fourth, they enjoy spreading the vision to continue homeschooling through the high school years. Having founded and held various leadership roles in both small and large co-ops, Darlene shares insights on what works and what doesn't. Don and Darlene have created and maintain many websites to both encourage and educate homeschooling families. Serving together on the CHAP (Christian Homeschool Association of Pennsylvania) Board, they are also the editors of the CHAP Magazine.

Dr. Bruce Eagleson and his wife Mary Ann have exclusively homeschooled their four children, two of them through home college. They have served on the CHAP (Christian Homeschool Association of Pennsylvania) Board for 14 years and on the board of the National Alliance of Home Education Leadership for 7 years. Bruce has been described as a visionary homeschool leader. He loves to share his passion for home-schooling. He has spoken at numerous homeschool conferences all over the nation.

Mary Ann Eagleson is, by God's sovereign grace, a committed Christian. She has been married to Bruce Eagleson for 32 years, is a home educating mom of 23 years for their four children, ages 27 to 17, and has a passion for exploring how God uses home education as one of His greatest tools to shape us into His image. She and her husband serve on the board of the Alliance of Christian Home Education Leadership, a national advocacy group for home education. They are also currently serving on the CHAP Board, and have done so for 13 years. Mary Ann has been involved with several home education co-ops, in participant as well as leadership roles, one of which started in their basement. Before marriage and children, Mary Ann earned a Masters Degree with a focus in Christian Education, and worked as a Director of Christian Education in her church and in a regional Christian Education resource center for a major Christian denomination. "Doing" Christian Education has been one of her loves in life, whether at home or in the wider Christian community.

Hannah Eagleson is a homeschool graduate, a writer, a harpist, and a Ph.D. Candidate in English Literature at the University of Delaware. In between these occupations, she indulges her hobbies of reading and tea.

Bob and Maggie Hogan live in Dover, DE, where they began homeschooling their two (now grown) sons in 1991. She is a regular contributor to homeschooling internet sites as well as print magazines like The Old Schoolhouse. She's a nationally known speaker and co-author of The Ultimate Geography and Timeline Guide, Gifted Children at Home, Young Scholar's Guide to Classical Composers and other resource books. Bob and Maggie are also owners of Bright Ideas Press, publishers of the all new Illuminations curriculum as well as award winning: The Mystery of History series, Christian Kids Explore series and All American History series. When not reading or writing, Maggie can be found drooling over travel brochures.

Ernie Hodges and his wife homeschooled all 3 of their children from kindergarten thru high school graduation and are now happy grandparents. Ernie also started the first homeschool basketball team in North Carolina and over sees a state homeschool sports organization that includes over 80 homeschool basketball, volleyball, soccer, and/or baseball teams. He regularly consults homeschool groups with the process of starting homeschool teams in these various sports.

Stan John is first and foremost a husband to LeAnn, his bride of 26 years, and a homeschooling father of four. Stan John has been at Focus on the Family for 23 years where he currently serves as the Senior Vice President of Global Strategic Develop- ment. Stan's passion is to seek the big picture of global trends and to provide leadership by applying visionary principles to every aspect of life. In doing so, Stan served in launching Focus on the Family's Adoption and Orphan care initiative, Church initiative, and is currently working in establishing a partnership with Home Education leaders across the nation. His vision is to see this movement re-establish a "Culture of Family" in our nation, producing health in struggling communities and churches.

Megg and Kevin Kanoff have homeschooled their four children ages 18, 16, 15, and 13 throughout their children's lives. They currently serve on the CHAP (Christian Homeschool Association of Pennsylvania) Board with Kevin serving as the Board treasurer. Sports has been an important part of the Kanoff homeschool. Kevin has been coaching for 13 years, and is currently coaching a homeschool soccer team. Their children participate in several different homeschool sports. Kevin has a strong desire to see homeschool students enjoy and benefit from participation in various sports.

Victoria Kasten is a 17-year-old homeschooled published author. Victoria is the author of 6 published books, with more releases expected shortly. Her Mighty Stallion series has been enjoyed by young and old alike. In 2007, she released her first full length non-magical fantasy, IronHeart. Victoria has taught writing workshops to hundreds of school children and adults in MN. She has sold thousands of copies of her books worldwide and has been interviewed by magazines, newspapers and radio stations. Kathy Kasten is a wife (married 25 years) and homeschool mom. In addition to helping her 17-year-old author daughter, Victoria, Kathy also oversees the family-owned alpaca business and is very active in their church. In the early years of marriage, Kathy worked in management for a Fortune 500 company where she trained in customer service and was in charge of overseeing employee morale for 1200 employees.

Susan Kemmerer and her husband Dale have, by God's grace, been homeschooling their nine children for twenty years - with 4 graduated and 5 to go (or thirteen more years of homeschooling ahead!). She is the author of "Homeschool Supermom...NOT!" Susan has authored several textbooks, including "Apples Daily Spelling Drills" and "Research in Increments." She serves as a speaker, and enjoys serving the Lord by encouraging other homeschool moms. Besides being with their children, the Kemmerers love spending time in fellowship with the believers in their local church. Dale and Susan (along with their children) run their business, Schoolhouse Publishing, from their home in Franconia, Pennsylvania.

Kathy Kuhl began homeschooling in 1997, after years of trying to help her son succeed in school despite learning and attention problems. She homeschooled him for grades 4-12, then interviewed 64 homeschoolers as part of her research for her book, Homeschooling Your Struggling Learner. Kathy graduated from William and Mary, where she earned teaching certificates in mathematics and English. She has taught junior high math in public school, Sunday School to preschoolers, and classes for home-schooled teens. She gives workshops at national conferences of patient advocacy organizations, including Children and Adults with Attention Deficit Disorder (CHADD), the Autism Society of America (ASA), and the Learning Disabilities Association of America (LDA), as well as at homeschool conventions and support groups. She writes about homeschooling and other topics for periodicals, and currently teaches math for homeschoolers in Centreville, Virginia. The Kuhls have two grown children and live in Herndon, Virginia. Her website is http://www.learndifferently.com/ and she can be reached at kathy@learndifferently.com.

Katherine Loop, a homeschool graduate, has been ministering to homeschool families since her graduation in 2003. She is the author of a variety of homeschool resources, including several family devotionals and a book titled Beyond Numbers: A Practical Guide to Teaching Math Biblically. She speaks candidly of her experiences as a home-school child and her struggles and triumphs since graduating. Her heart is to point people to "Seek the LORD, and his strength" (Psalm 105:4) in everything. Katherine lives at home with her parents and brother in Northern Virginia, where she works from the home for her state homeschool organization and operates Christian Perspective, an online ministry to homeschool families.

Home School Legal Defense Association Deputy General Counsel Jim Mason has defended homeschoolers from truant officers, school superintendents, and social workers in courts and administrative tribunals all over the country. He obtained his undergraduate degree at Oregon State University and his law degree at Regent University. Jim served in the United States Navy and is a veteran of Operation Desert Storm. He and his wife, Debbie, have homeschooled all of their seven children. Their oldest son is a student at Grove City College in Pennsylvania. They live in Virginia's Shenandoah Valley.

Mark Moore is a graduate of Columbia International University and has served as a missionary to Muslims in Southeast Asia. He and his wife, Corie, have been married for 23 years and are traditional homeschoolers who live in South Central Pennsylvania. They have 3 daughters, 2 of whom are now in college and a third one who is still at home. Mark is an active member of his home church where he has taught elementary and adult Sunday School, helped in youth ministry, and led Bible study groups. He enjoys speaking on Islam at churches and homeschool co-op groups. He is known for his passion to reach Muslims for Christ and to help people understand more about the religious-political nature of Islam.

As a first generation homeschool graduate, Woody Robertson has been where most students are now and desires to help them wisely answer some of life's biggest questions concerning their future. Woody is passionate about coming alongside the American family and their college-bound students with alternative resources that will help them save time, money and most importantly strategically equip them for leadership! A frequent motivational speaker at conferences nationwide, Woody thrives in rallying and organizing teams, families, and students for greater efficiency and impact in our culture today. You'll find his sessions innovative and inspiring. Be prepared to get knocked outside of your educational box. In 2006, he earned his accredited BSBA in General Management in 18 months for under $10k and now resides in San Antonio, TX, with his wife Gina—the girl of his dreams!

When Doug and Nada Rothgaber first heard about homeschooling, they thought it would never work. Nada had been educated in both private and public schools and did both her undergraduate and graduate work at Penn State. Before "coming home" to care for and homeschool their son, Nada taught for 13 years in both the public schools and at the college level. The Rothgabers have one son, Joshua, a homeschool graduate. He is now 24 years old. Doug and Nada served on the CHAP (Christian Homeschool Association of Pennsylvania ) Board for 14 years. Many times, Nada has felt like the biblical Aaron as she serves with her husband, Doug, in the legislative realm, which is living proof that God can use an unwilling servant in areas they don't like and feel unqualified!

Ihab Labib Saad is GPA PassPORT's President, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and Managing Director of Systems and Technology. Before GPA PassPORT, Ihab was most recently Executive Vice President with Mathematics Programs Associates (MPA), responsible for research and development and Computerized Learning and Scoring Systems (CLASS). Ihab also directed Developmental Mathematics K-10 workbook curriculum review and renovation and testing software design and development, Mathematics Placement, Assessment and Scoring System (MPASS).

Bruce Shortt is a homeschooling father of three who practices law in Houston, Texas. He has a Ph.D. from Stanford, a law degree from Harvard, an undergraduate degree from Amherst College, was a Fulbright Scholar, and is a member of Phi Beta Kappa. In addition, Dr. Shortt is on the Board of Directors of Exodus Mandate, a ministry that promotes Christian education, and has spoken extensively on radio, television, and in person about the need to expand Christian education. Dr. Shortt is also the author of The Harsh Truth About Public Schools and a number of education related articles that have appeared in WorldNet Daily, homeschool publications, and elsewhere.

Dr. Scott Turansky and Joanne Miller, RN, BSN return to CHAP again this year as a dynamic speaking duo full of ideas on parenting.

Dr. Scott Turansky and his wife, Carrie, have five children. Josh, their oldest son, is developing a Bible College in Hawaii. He is married to Melinda and they have two sons, Hudson and Hayden. Melissa is married to Peter and is a registered nurse working in a hospital in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Ben is a US Marine, currently stationed in Iraq. Megan and Elizabeth are twins, living at home and working full time.

Joanne Miller, RN, BSN and her husband, Ed, have two sons. Dave and Tim both work for their dad in the family's business, Miller Projects, LLC. Dave is living at home and Tim is a freshman in college. Joanne has been a pediatric nurse since 1986 and is a public speaker.

The Turanskys and the Millers have been in ministry together since 1988. As you probably know, both the Turansky family and the Miller family homeschooled their children, bringing over 30 years of homeschooling experience between the two families and seven children. Dr. Turansky and Mrs. Miller co-founded the National Center for Biblical Parenting. They have trained 46 presenters who teach their material around the country, using parenting seminars as outreach to the community. The Turansky/Miller books, videos, workbooks, seminars, and parent training materials focus ongiving parents practical, biblical tools to make lasting changes in their families. Using drama, stories, and the scriptures, Turansky and Miller give parents the strategies and routines they need to help children change their hearts.

Bill and Diana Waring have worked in speaking and writing for the Christian homeschool andprivate school community for 18 years. Through their business/ministry Diana Waring Presents (formerly, Diana Waring—History Alive!), they have met and talked with homeschoolers in 46 states, half of Canada, and three other continents. The curriculum for world history study Diana wrote, beginning in 1994, has been growing and expanding. She is in the midst of a six year effort to update and expand the research and presentation of the material. She is well known for her rapid-fire history recordings and workshops, but is also appreciated for her workshops and books of home-school encouragement, like Beyond Survival and Reaping the Harvest. Some of these fascinating concepts received emphasis while she was reading and being mentored concerning how students learn and how teachers can facilitate learning. The Warings' mission: "To serve families by encouraging, equipping, and educating in an entertaining way."

Aaron Watson is the 22-year-old Director of Staff Development for TeenPact Leadership Schools. He was homeschooled throughout high school and recently graduated from Carson-Newman College with degrees in Political Science and Journalism. At Carson-Newman, Aaron served as Vice President of the student body as well as the National Champion debate team. He now speaks to teens across the country about impacting their culture for Christ while also serving TeenPact full time.

Dr. Jay L. Wile holds an earned Ph.D. from the University of Rochester in nuclear chemistry and a B.S. in chemistry from the same institution. He has taught at both the university and high school levels and has won several awards for excellence in teaching. He has also published more than 30 articles in nationally-recognized journals and has 8 books to his credit including Reasonable Faith: The Scientific Case for Christianity. Dr. Wile founded and previously owned Apologia Educational Ministries, a company dedicated to giving people scientific reasons to believe in Christ. He has authored or co-authored 8 award-winning science textbooks designed to be used in a homeschool setting.