Speaker Sessions

How to Make STEM a Stress-Free Part of Your Daily Homeschool Routine

Brenda MacArthur, STEAMsational

Discover how to implement and modify STEM curriculum to fit into your homeschool day, how to adapt STEM lessons for multiple age groups, and how to set up a STEM-center that will encourage self-guided STEM exploration outside of school hours without the mess. 

Move & Groove to Grammar: Fun, Kinesthetic Activities That Increase English Mastery at the Elementary Level

Dr. Wanda Phillips, Easy Grammar Systems

Learn strategies and ideas to incorporate fun, kinesthetic activities such as motions, songs, and more to expedite the learning of standard English. Participate in active, memorable, and 'do and say' learning that will give children the power to learn 90% faster. Attendees will play a game you can easily adapt to make your homeschool fun, and learn the hands-on prepositional approach that makes understanding language concept a breeze!

A Family's Take on Worldschooling

Michael & Amanda Camarillo, Novel Excursion

As passionate worldschoolers who are currently “home based” in San Antonio, Michael and Amanda have a unique outlook on this form of alternative education. While most think of worldschooling as constant travel to far off places, they argue that the experiential aspect of worldschooling can be found anywhere and that it is inherently about using the world as your curriculum wherever you happen to be. Join a discussion about their experience in worldschooling where they will share benefits, challenges, and tips about experiential learning. As entrepreneurs and habitual students, themselves, Michael and Amanda will give you some insight on the work-life balance as well.

Teaching Chemistry Using Comic Books and Activities to Prepare Early Learners for Success in STEM

Dr. Colleen Kelley, Hewitt Learning

Colleen Kelley, Ph.D. in Chemistry, has 30 years in education, has 4 published textbooks, is a US Army Officer/Veteran, and is the Founder of KidsChemicalSolutions and author of the MC Detective Series of chemistry mysteries in a comic book format for students ages 8 to 12.

The Secret to Breakthroughs in Writing

Julie Bogart, Brave Writer

Programs, curriculum, homeschool gurus—they all miss it. Yet it’s so simple! Find out what professional writers know about writing instruction that educators often miss. You’ll walk away from this seminar knowing exactly what to do to change the dynamic around writing in your family…for good. In fact, you can turn your writing program around in one step, once you know what it is and follow through. The good news is: anyone can apply this principle to writing (you don’t have to be an expert writer yourself). By the end of the session with acclaimed author and curriculum creator Julie Bogart, you’ll have an 8-week writing plan to use right away—no purchase necessary! End the hand-wringing and tears for good. *This session will be presented virtually to the in-person audience, including a live Q&A opportunity.

Dual Credit at Collin College

Raul Martinez, Associate Vice President, Collin College

Shawna Chamberlin, Associate Dean, Collin College

Navigating the process of having high school students taking college courses can sometimes be a challenge. Learn how to prepare students for admitting, enrolling and being successful in college level courses.

Master the Art of Working & Homeschooling

Shaun Taylor, The Homeschool Guru

Businesses and families are moving into uncharted territory. Everyone is moving day by day, trying to keep their heads above water. Working and homeschooling is something that Shaun has done successfully for years, and has developed a plan to help others be successful as well. Shaun Taylor is an Amazon best-selling author of inspirational homeschooling books, a homeschool consultant, and owns logistics and catering businesses.

PBS LearningMedia 101 - Discover and Explore Free Lesson Resources

Erica Campos & Shenique Rasheed, KERA

Explore PBS LearningMedia, a FREE online platform with high-quality digital content for children and educators. Participants will have time to sign up on the site, explore, and tinker with standards-aligned videos, interactives, and lesson plans for children in PK-12. KERA KIDS facilitators, Erica and Shenique, will lead families through a hands-on activity geared toward children 2-8 years old, but all are welcome. 

How to Transition to Homeschooling

Shaun Taylor, The Homeschool Guru

Discover the secret to making a smooth transition into homeschooling. You will learn how to navigate Texas laws relevant to homeschooling, find your child’s learning style, deschool (and why it is important), pick a method of homeschooling that fits your family, create a schedule that works for you, and plan lessons. Shaun Taylor is an Amazon best-selling author of inspirational homeschooling books, a homeschool consultant, and owns logistics and catering businesses.

The Future of Online Learning: Incorporating Online Resources in Your Homeschooling Routine

Katelyn Kaiser Trissel, Outschool

Join Katelyn Kaiser Trissel, professional musician turned educator turned Outschool growth hacker, to learn about some of the online resources available to you as a homeschooler. In collaboration with homeschooling parents and experts in the space, they will walk you through the process of finding resources and help answer questions like: does my child really need more time with a screen? Attendees of this session will leave feeling invigorated and informed about the various free and paid resources available to you from the comfort of home!

The Essentials of Special Education Homeschooling

Peggy Ployhar, SPED Homeschool

Homeschooling is the ultimate individualized education plan (IEP), so it’s not a wonder why parents of special needs children consider this educational choice. Peggy Ployhar, the CEO of SPED Homeschool, covers what it takes to get started homeschooling, avoiding and conquering common pitfalls, and how to homeschool special education through high school. This talk is filled with practical advice from the trenches of homeschooling for 19 years and working for over a decade helping families home educate their diverse learners.

How Do You Make a 4-Year High School Plan?

Maria Menzies & Nicole Hunter, BTDT Homeschool

Discover what you need before beginning to homeschool high school and how to make a 4-year plan. Learn how to set your child up for success throughout their high school years, college, and beyond. Whether you’ve been teaching them for years or are homeschooling for the first time, you CAN do this! With over 30 years in the secular homeschool world, Maria and Nicole are here to help navigate you on your homeschooling adventure!