2012 CONVENTION - SPEAKERS

Vicki Bentley is the mother of eight daughters, foster mom of over fifty, and grandma to fifteen wonderful grandbabies (and another on the way!). Vicki has homeschooled 17 children since 1988, alongside her husband Jim, and led a local support group of over 250 families for 14 years. She has served on the executive board and convention committee of the Home Educators Association of Virginia and has addressed state and national conventions, university teacher organizations, and many mothers' groups. She is the author of My Homeschool Planner, Everyday Cooking, The Everyday Family Chore System, Home Education 101: A Mentoring Program for New Homeschoolers, High School 101: Blueprint for Success, and other homeschool and homemaking helps, and coordinates HSLDA's Homeschooling Toddlers thru Tweens and Group Services programs. Vicki has a heart for moms, with strong practical wisdom and encouraging words.

Rick and Marilyn Boyer are among the early trailblazers of the homeschooling movement. Beginning in 1980, they have taught all of their 14 children from kindergarten through high school. Building on their experience, Rick and Marilyn have written several popular books on homeschooling, Christian parenting and national reformation. Their passion for putting Christian character at the top of their educational priorities resulted in the creation of the Character Concepts homeschooling curriculum. Rick's books include Home Educating with Confidence, Take Back the Land, The Socialization Trap, and The Hands-on Dad. Rick's speaking ministry has taken him from Massachusetts to California and from Europe to Japan. In addition to addressing homeschool conventions and churches across America, he is also the main speaker for the Take Back the Land Conference, a one-day gathering for homeschooled young people and their parents to train leaders for Christian cultural reformation. In addition, he is known to thousands of children through his "Uncle Rick" audio recordings. Rick's speaking style is a blend of homespun humor and a driving passion for God, families and revival in America. Marilyn's passion for putting Christian character at the top of her educational priorities resulted in the creation of the Character Concepts homeschooling curriculum. Marilyn has authored several books including Parenting from the Heart, Hands-On Character Building, and For You They Signed. Her combination of compassion, godly wisdom and rich insight into the hearts of children has made her a cherished resource for homeschooling moms all across America.

Derek and Cheryl Carter have worked with families for over twenty years and have been married for twenty-five years. They are founders of Foundations for Family Success, a ministry dedicated to strengthening marriages, empowering parents and helping families better manage their time. Derek and Cheryl are both adjunct professors. They also manage Christian Leadership Academy, an online school that teaches college preparatory skills to homeschool students. Together the Carters have written Seven Biblical Foundations that Every Family Should Build On. Individually they have written parenting, fathering, and time management books including: Chasing God and the Kids Too, How to Have a Presence in Your Absence (for Fathers), How to Get Organized and Stay Organized, and Organize Your ADD/ ADHD Child. They currently homeschool their two daughters. Their son, a homeschool graduate, is a junior in college. The Carters are active in the Christian homeschool community and enjoy encouraging others to draw close to Christ as they disciple their children. Visit www.familysuccess.org for further information.

Don and Darlene Catlett began homeschooling in 1988, graduating the youngest of their four children in 2010. But they're not retiring! They hope to continue to spread the vision to homeschool through high school for many years. Don and Darlene have created and maintain many websites to both encourage and educate homeschooling families. Serving together on the CHAP Board since 2008, they are also the editors of the CHAP Magazine.

Becky Cooke and her husband Jim homeschooled their three children from kindergarten until college using an eclectic assortment of teaching resources. After sending her children off to university, Becky helped develop HSLDA's Homeschooling Thru High School program, including its high school website. She brings a wealth of experience and friendly advice to share with families who are navigating these challenging, yet exciting years. She ministers to families as she speaks at homeschool meetings and conferences. She co-authors articles on high school topics as well as brochures and a monthly high school email newsletter which reach homeschooling families nationwide. In addition, Becky provides personal consultation and a listening ear to HSLDA members with homeschool questions and concerns, along with information and direction on college admission and testing.

Dianne Craft, MA, CNHP, is a former homeschool mom who has a Master's degree in Elementary and Special Education. She has 25 years' experience teaching bright, hardworking children who have to work too hard to learn. She teaches parents across the country how to help their child learn faster and easier, using therapies and strategies that are very effective while being very inexpensive. Dianne is passionate about training parents to make learning easier for their homeschooled children. Her workshops are very informative and often entertaining. She is a Certified Natural Health Professional specializing in natural treatments for children with attention, learning, and behavioral issues. Dianne is president of the educational consulting firm, Child Diagnostics, Inc., in Littleton, Colorado.

Dr. Bruce Eagleson has practiced emergency medicine for nearly 30 years. He and his wife have exclusively homeschooled their four children for 25 years. All four children are high school at home graduates. Their first and third children did college at home. Bruce has listened to over 1000 homeschool presentations, attended over 45 homeschool conventions, published homeschool research, and worked for 15 years to improve the homeschooling law in Pennsylvania. Dr. Eagleson is a homeschool evangelist. Bruce is recognized nationally as the chairman (a position he has held since its founding in 2002) of The National Alliance of Christian Home Education Leadership. The Eaglesons have served for 15 years on the board of directors of the Christian Homeschool Association of Pennsylvania (CHAP). Dr. Eagleson also founded the CHAP Foundation. In addition, Dr. Eagleson is the author of the CHAP getting started book, Keys to Homeschooling in the Keystone State. Bruce's teaching has been enthusiastically received at many conferences, including ENOCH of NJ, MassHOPE, TEACH CT, HoME, CHAP, OCHEC (Ontario Christian Home Education Connection), Sandy Cove's and Harvey Cedars' Bible Conference's homeschool week, HSLDA's annual leadership meeting and the National Alliance of Home Education Leadership. Topics he speaks on include: character lessons from historical figures, apologetics, a vision to homeschool, creation, getting started in homeschooling, what to do after high school, and many Bible topics. Dr. Eagleson has been described as a principled, courageous, and visionary national homeschool leader.

Leigh Genasevich has been happily married to her best friend Gary for 20 years. Together, they have homeschooled their three boys since 1999, the oldest of which is a sophomore in college. Leigh has been serving the homeschool community as a support group leader and a homeschool evaluator for the past ten years. Her passion is to see families thrive spiritually, personally, and educationally in their homeschool journey.

Colin Gunn is an award-winning producer/director and accomplished animator. His previous films include "Shaky Town," winner of the Best Political Film at the San Antonio Independent Christian Film Festival (SAICFF) and "The First Blast of the Trumpet Against the Monstrous Regiment of Women" which won the Best of Festival award there. Originally from Hamilton, Scotland, Colin lives in Waco, Texas, with his wife and eight children. His latest film is "IndoctriNation: Public schools and the decline of Christianity in America."

Jack Hubley has been a multi-media advocate for the natural world for more than 30 years. A native of southeastern Pennsylvania, he has hosted three nature shows on WGAL-TV, the area's NBC affiliate, during the past 25 years. His "Wild Moment" nature vignettes appear weekly on the station's Friday, 5:30 p.m. newscast. Jack lives in Lititz, Pennsylvania, with his wife, Tina, and a host of animals with eight legs, six legs, four legs, two legs and no legs.

Susan Kemmerer is the author of the highly acclaimed book Homeschool Supermom...NOT! She and her husband Dale have, by God's grace, been homeschooling their nine children for almost twenty five years – with 5 graduated and 4 to go (or twelve more years of homeschooling ahead!). Susan has authored a number of textbooks, including Apples Daily Spelling Drills for Secondary Students. She has spoken at support groups and conferences across the country. Dale and Susan (along with their children) run their business, Schoolhouse Publishing, from their home in Franconia, PA.

Jim Stobaugh, and his wife Karen, have four home educated adult children. They have a strong burden for the new leadership group that God is calling forth from the homeschooling community. Jim is a Merrill Fellow at Harvard University and holds a B.A. cum laude from Vanderbilt, an M.A. from Rutgers University, a M.Div. from Princeton Theological Seminary, and a D.Min. from Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary. An experienced teacher, Dr. Stobaugh is a recognized leader in homeschooling and has published several books for students and teachers. Some are in the series Preparing Thoughtful Christians to be World Changers, with both student and teacher editions: Skills for Literary Analysis (2005), Skills for Rhetoric (2005), World Literature (2005), American Literature (2005), and British Literature (2005). Stobaugh has also published Fire That Burns but Does Not Consume (2003), A Gathered Inheritance (2004), and the highly valued SAT and College Preparation Course for the Christian Student (1998; revised edition, 2004). Karen is a national prayer leader in the women’s international intercessory prayer organization, ASK. Most recently Dr. Stobaugh finished a seven volume world social history. Dr. Stobaugh and his wife Karen live near Hollsopple, Pennsylvania, and travel widely to speak about literature, teaching, SAT/ACT Preparation, and education.

Carol Topp, CPA (CarolToppCPA.com and HomeschoolCPA.com) is an author and accountant specializing in helping homeschool organizations and micro business owners. She is the author of several books including the Micro Business for Teenagers series and Homeschool Co-ops: How to Start Them, Run Them and Not Burn Out. She runs a home-based accounting practice specializing in tax preparation, small/micro business accounting, and nonprofit accounting. Carol has presented numerous workshops on money management, business start-up, taxes, budgeting, nonprofit management, and homeschooling to various community, church, and homeschool groups. She lives in Cincinnati, Ohio, with her husband and two daughters, both homeschool high school graduates.

Dr. Scott Turanskyand his wife Carrie have five children and three grandchildren. They have been involved with homeschoolers since they began homeschooling their oldest son 25 years ago. Dr. Turansky is a pastor, author, parenting coach, and nationally-known speaker. His passion is to help parents understand a heart-based approach to parenting.Joanne Miller, RN, BSN, and her husband Ed have two grown sons. Both of these young men were schooled at home from kindergarten through high school. Joanne is a pediatric nurse, author, and speaker.Dr. Turansky and Mrs. Miller co-founded the National Center for Biblical Parenting and Biblical Parenting University, an online school for parents and teachers. They have trained over 80 presenters who teach their parenting material around the country, using parenting seminars as outreach to the community. The Turansky/Miller books, videos, workbooks, seminars, and parent training materials focus on giving 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. Dr. Scott Turansky and Joanne Miller have been team-teaching for over 15 years. Their dynamic presentation and practical, biblical material is refreshing and hopeful. Homeschool parents especially realize how the strategies offered by the National Center for Biblical Parenting enhance their schooling as well as their family relationships and lifelong goals for their children.

Diana Waring, author of Beyond Survival, Reaping the Harvest and the History Revealed curriculum published by AiG, discovered years ago that "the key to education is relationship." Beginning in the early 80's, Diana homeschooled her children through high school—providing the real life opportunities to learn how kids learn. Mentored by educators whose focus was to honor Him who created all learners, and with an international background (born in Germany, university degree in French, lifelong student of world history), Diana has been enthusiastically received by audiences on four continents.

David and Linda Watkins began home educating their eight children in 1986, before the Minnesota homeschool law was passed by the legislature. They met at Oklahoma Baptist University where they both graduated with BA degrees. David went on to receive his Master of Divinity from Liberty Baptist Theological Seminary and has pastored Heritage Baptist Church in Blaine, Minnesota, since 1982. David and Linda served on the Minnesota Association of Christian Home Educators (MACHE) Board of Directors from 2002 until 2012, where David filled the role of Chairman and Linda served as the Conference Director. They have recently transitioned off the Board to enable David to become the Executive Director of MACHE, while Linda continues to serve as the Conference Director. They also work together on the Board of Directors of the National Alliance of Christian Home Education Leadership (NACHEL), which is a national organization that serves the leaders of state Christian home education organizations from the United States, Canada, and Mexico. David and Linda see the eternal benefits of Christian home education and the importance of encouraging and equipping younger home educating families. Their desire is to mentor a second generation of home educators who are willing to take the baton and run well. In their spare time, David enjoys hunting with his sons and grandchildren and Linda enjoys quiet time, reading, sewing, gardening, and good music. Most of all, they enjoy the opportunities they have in helping to form the young lives of their thirteen (and counting) grandchildren.

Jim Weiss and his wife Randy founded Greathall Productions in 1989. It was a huge leap of faith as children's audio at the time was just coming into fashion. Raised by parents who valued literature and history, and with the additional influence of grandfathers who loved to tell stories to their grandsons, Jim grew up in the presence of literary and real-life characters in the tradition of oral language. Jim graduated from the University of Wisconsin, Madison, and entered the sales and marketing profession. At forty years old, he realized that he was unfulfilled and needed to make a career change. With a lot of prayer and reflection, Jim and Randy decided to trust their intuition that a line of storytelling recordings told, not read, would provide a wonderful way for children to appreciate classics at an early age. This year, Jim and Randy Weiss are celebrating Greathall Productions' 22nd Anniversary year of business. Married for 35 years, Randy and Jim reside in Charlottesville, Virginia. and are the proud parents of a grown daughter. To date, Jim is the producer and reader of 44+ Greathall storytelling recordings featuring classical literature and history; masterful and thoughtful readings of G.A. Henty titles; unabridged readings of The Story of the World Volumes I-IV; Carry On, Mr. Bowditch, by Jean Lee Latham and Ralph Moody's, Come On, Sea Biscuit, and a variety of Read-Along Book/Cd Sets. Weiss is the recipient of 85+ national awards from The Old Schoolhouse, Mary Pride's Practical Homeschooling Reader's Choice, The American Library Association, Parents' Choice Foundation, The Film Advisory Board, Parents' Guide to Children's Media, Oppenheim Toy Portfolio, AudioFile, Creative Child Magazine, Children's Media, and many more. Jim Weiss recordings are highly praised and recommended by leading homeschool journals and reviewers. including Home Education Magazine, Homeschooling Today, Greenleaf Press, The Well Trained Mind, Family Times, The Link, and countless others. Jim travels extensively across the United States and Canada presenting library, school, store and community events; teacher workshops; and his favorite, HOMESCHOOL CONFERENCES.

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