2024 Dallas-Fort Worth Education Sessions

Lightbulb Moments: Unlocking Student Potential

Explore innovative strategies to engage and educate diverse learners in homeschool settings. This session delves into tailoring education for students with various needs, from dyslexia to ADHD, and from neurodiversity to neurotypicality. Discuss infusing creativity and innovation challenge concepts into homeschooling, using real curriculum examples. Join in to learn how to ignite those transformative 'aha' moments, making learning accessible and exciting for every student.

Kristin spent over a decade working in higher education and helped found the Independent Innovator Challenge. She and her husband homeschool their 4 children.

Crafting Educational Fine Motor Activities

Get an overview of the progression of gross to fine motor skills, and learn how to integrate a broader scope of motor skills into your everyday academic lessons and activities. Doing so can increase learning retention, refine dexterity and increase creative confidence in your learners.

Jennifer is an educator of 10 years (pre-school through college) and experienced homeschooler, with a Master of Fine Arts.

Improving Writing Skills Through Storytelling 

Having a true grasp of the English language can set kids up for success in any field they choose to enter. But studying grammar and sentence structure--and obsessing over comma placement--can be grueling for young learners.

Hear how Outschool teacher Tori Scott teaches students to become better writers. Utilize her easy template with your own students, and watch them smile and lean forward as they suddenly become deeply engaged in learning to Write. Better. Tori will teach her nine-year-old daughter in real time. Come ready to laugh and learn, and watch as an original story unfolds. Popcorn option.

Tori is the bestselling author of 9 young adult novels under the pen name Victoria Scott and is the founder of Scribbler, a company that helps aspiring authors finish their novels. 

Taking Learning Beyond the Book: Worldschooling, Roadschooling, and Educational Travel

We all know learning doesn’t happen just between four walls or even just in a book. In this session, you will learn about worldschooling, roadschooling, and how to take learning beyond the book on your next trip. 

Hana is a homeschool mom, travel enthusiast, owns a travel agency, and has taken her children on adventures around the world. 

Emotional IQ

Preparing children to become successful adults involves much more than memorizing dates and reading textbooks. Learn how to incorporate social emotional education into your homeschool day!

Katie and Meagan are Licensed Professional Counselors with over a decade of experience working with children and families. Meagan is also a homeschooling mom of 3.

Neurodivergent & Strong: Developing Our Superpowers

Superheroes don't spend their lives focusing on their struggles. They're super because they use their powers to make the world a better place!

The sad reality is that society seems to only focus on the weaknesses of neurodivergent people... Don't worry, there is a better way...

In this talk, we'll explore how you can empower your neurodivergent kiddos to identify their superpowers and thrive, leading strength-based lives!

Sam Young, M.Ed., is the founder and director of Young Scholars Academy, a virtual enrichment school. Sam is a two-time Fulbright Scholar, a TEDx speaker, and a neurodivergent person himself who has committed his life to supporting differently-wired students to overcome the harmful deficit-based system and discover, develop, and lead their lives with their strengths, talents, and unique interests!

Music in Homeschool: Harmonizing Your Journey

Discover the transformative power of music in your homeschooling journey! This engaging session will help home educators introduce music education to their learners, regardless of their own music background. Discover free and paid resources, providing your child with a comprehensive music education rather than a mere buffet-style approach. 

Linda has a Master's in music education, certification in the Kodály Program, and 25 years of teaching experience. 

Upstander Education and Resources

The Dallas Holocaust & Human Rights Museum offers a variety of free Upstander Resources for educators. Get a glimpse at some of the programs and themes offered. 

Latricia is the Director of Education at the museum, and has 12 years of experience as a classroom educator.

Growing Homeschool Learners at the Dallas Arboretum

Explore all that the Dallas Arboretum has to offer for homeschool families! The Homeschool Learning Days series features monthly hands-on science and STEM lessons specially designed for homeschool students along with the opportunity to explore the Main Garden and the Rory Meyers Children’s Adventure Garden. Learn about the engaging lessons, interactive learning galleries and even how to book a custom field trip for your homeschool group.

Amy and Lynn each have over 25 years in science education, and currently facilitate homeschool learning activities at the Dallas Arboretum. 

Homeschooling on the Plains of Childhood: From Toddlers to Teenagers 

Homeschooling is a journey. It isn't a sprint, it's a marathon. There are so many resources out there, it can be a daunting task to find what works at any grade level. I'm here to tell you, if you're doubting your ability to homeschool your kids, don't. All you need to do is focus on consistency, find their learning style, find your teaching style, and be willing to come along side your children in learning. 

That sounds overwhelming, but I know you can do it! In this session, I will tell you about our journey so far, what I've learned, and answer questions. 

Musical Adventures with Linda Davis: Sing, Move, and Play!

Step into the world of melodies and rhythms with this engaging and interactive music class for children. Through the joy of singing and the excitement of percussion instruments, learners will embark on a musical journey like no other.

This session is designed for active student participation!

Linda has a Master's in music education, certification in the Kodály Program, and 25 years of teaching experience. 

Creating Your Mom Community

Motherhood can be isolating. Finding and growing your mom community can be hard. In this workshop, discover practical tips and set goals for making mom friends and adding to your tribe. 

Emily leads Beal Media, managing the Collin County Moms, Dallas Moms, Fort Worth Moms, and Momfessions Podcast brands.

Choose Your Own Story - An Interactive Workshop

In this interactive workshop, discover the essential building blocks for creating a great story. Learners will have a blast brainstorming exciting characters and plots, then putting their new knowledge of story structure to work in this fast-paced class. 

This session is designed for active student participation!

Summer is a homeschool mom of over a decade and children's book author with multiple publications through Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers. 

How to Start Homeschooling

If you are interested in homeschooling but not sure where to start, this is the session for you!

Learn about how home education in Texas works, and get the tools you need to start homeschooling. 

Shaun is an Amazon best-selling author of inspirational homeschooling books, a homeschool consultant, entrepreneur, and a homeschooling mom.

Pumpkin Physics with the Dallas Arboretum

Calling all engineers! Join in to learn about the engineering design process and create a catapult that will launch a candy pumpkin. This is a great opportunity for learners to have fun, explore physics and engineering, and get excited for the Arboretum’s annual fall festival. How far will your pumpkin fly? 

This session is designed for active student participation!

Amy and Lynn each have over 25 years in science education, and currently facilitate homeschool learning activities at the Dallas Arboretum. 

Exploring Homeschooling Benefits for Families of Color

Hear from a panel of homeschool moms and professionals ready to share helpful information geared toward families of color who are interested in homeschooling. 

The discussion is led by Elan Page, podcaster and founder of Homeschool Our Way. She is joined by:

• Delina McPhaull, founder of Woke Homeschooling

• Amber Okolo-Ebube, founder of Leading Little Arrows

• Krystal Owens, homeschool mom of 3

Can You Trick Your 5 Senses? (Come Do Science With Us and Find Out!)

In this interactive session, learners will model and practice classical methods of education using their senses. Have fun memorizing science facts and conduct a simple, short experiment or two. Children will experience the most natural way of learning about the world around them, and parents will come away with ideas for teaching science at home. 

This session is designed for active student participation!

Erin is a homeschooling mom of 4, a former public school teacher, and a leader in the Classical Conversations community. 

A Natural Way of Learning - The Classical Method

Experience classical education in action! Discuss, model and practice the natural way of learning through classical methods. This interactive session will demonstrate how learning progresses through a student’s life, and will provide you with tools you can easily incorporate at home. 

Alethea has been homeschooling for 12 years and is an active leader in the Classical Conversations community.

How to Write Stories Editors Will Publish

This workshop, geared for young writers, will provide tips from an award-winning author on writing both short stories and novels that students can publish. The workshop includes lists of places where students can see their work in print.

This session is designed for active student participation!

Marie has a PhD in education, over 13 years of teaching experience, and is an award-winning author of historical fiction.