Speakers

Angela Baker

Angela Baker is the mother of seven children, ages 2-18. She and her husband Roger have home schooled their children for 12 years, the last 6 of which have been strongly influenced by the principles of Thomas Jefferson Education. She holds a Masters Degree in education from GWC; a Bachelor’s in Family Science from BYU; is 5 Pillar certified; directs the 5 Pillar Certification Program at GWC; and is a teacher in The Lexington Commonwealth (a group of TJEd families that meet together). Angela also enjoys her work as the director/mentor of the 5 Pillar program at GWC. A popular speaker for retreats and education venues, she also enjoys teaching in a variety of settings. Angela’s “down time” is filled with personal study and writing, running, singing and occasional quiet dinners with Roger. The Bakers live in Utah with an assortment of animals, including goats, chickens and a pig.

Angela Baker will be sharing her insights at the TJEd Seminar - listen to interview with Angela Baker

Classes
If Any of You Lack Wisdom... TJEd Parents on the Path of Wisdom - TJEd Wednesday 8:00-9:00 AM
7 Keys of Great Teaching - TJEd Wednesday 10:00-11:00 AM    
Plato and the Handcart Principle - TJEd Wednesday 11:00AM-12:00PM
Power of Classics in Education - TJEd Wednesday 1:30- 2:30 PM
The Eighth Key of Great Teaching - TJEd Wednesday 4:30-5:30PM
If Any of You Lack Wisdom... Parents on the Path of Wisdom - Thusday 9:45 - 10:45 AM
A Joyful Mother - Friday 1:30-2:30 PM

Kari & VonLogan Brimhall

Kari and VonLogan Brimall have been married for 19 adventurous years and have four fabulous children (ages 9-16).  They have lived all over the country and in Mexico.  It's never a dull moment as they love exploring new places, serving in the church (he is in the Stake presidency, and she teaches early morning seminary), writing and making movies with their family and friends.

Classes
Why Homeschool? - Wednesday Beginners 1:30- 2:30 PM

Melissa Coombs

Melissa Coombs grew up in Lugoff, South Carolina. An excellent student, she was awarded academic and Journalism scholarships to the University of South Carolina. She later attended UVSC and BYU in Provo, Utah and it was there she met and married her “tall, dark and handsome” husband, Shawn. They have been married for 16 years and have five children.
The author of “The Hows and Whys of the Year Supply,” Melissa is passionate about food storage and preparedness and is a popular speaker on these subjects. She and her family raise a huge garden every summer and bottle hundreds of jars of fruits and vegetables each year. Melissa and her family also love outdoor activities, including hiking, camping, canoeing, fishing and rappelling. Melissa is knowledgeable and enthusiastic about a wide range of topics, from scrap-booking and photography to raising Buff Orpingtons (that’s laying hens, to us city folk!). 
Melissa used to think that homeschooling was the craziest thing she ever heard of, until the Lord told her that she needed to homeschool her own children. Although she really knew very little about the subject, she jumped in with both feet and quickly learned a lot!  She now knows that it is the best thing she has ever done for her family. She has been homeschooling her three sons and two daughters for the past seven years, and although “it’s the hardest thing [she] has ever tried to do,” she absolutely loves it!

Classes
Happy Mommy: Tips to Help New Homeschool Moms… - Wednesday Beginners 3:30- 4:30 PM

Dr. Julie Earley

Dr. Julie Earley holds Masters and Doctorate degrees in Education. Currently she is a Professor of Liberal Arts and also serves as Dean of Extension Studies at George Wythe College. Dr. Earley has taught in primary, secondary and post-secondary institutions and has lectured in many different forums. She has spent the last 6 years assisting parents who have chosen to educate their children at home. She has a unique insight in this area as she herself was homeschooled. Dr. Earley is presently publishing a series of books to assist parents in mentoring their children in classical literature. She and her husband, Daniel reside in Lehi, Utah and were recently blessed with their first child.

Classes
The Four Phases of Education - TJEd Wednesday 9:00 - 10:00 AM
Adult Phases of TJEd - TJEd Wednesday 10:00 - 11:00 AM
Vendor Workshop:  Introduction to Thomas Jefferson Education (TJEd) - Thursday 1:30 - 2:30 PM
The Power of an Educated Woman - Thursday 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM

Camille Funk

Camille Funk was born and raised in South Pasadena, California. She graduated from Brigham Young University with a BS in Elementary Education. She received an MA in International Education Development, with a minor in Curriculum and Development from Teachers College, Columbia University. Camille has taught kindergarten and fifth grade and is a part-time faculty member for Brigham Young University's College of Religious Education. She currently works as an Educational Administrator for Brigham Young University Independent Study.
Camille also served as a missionary for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the New York Utica mission. In her free time, she loves spending time with her family and enjoys oil painting, photography, soccer, softball, and football.

Classes
Vendor Workshop:  Teaching Your Child to Read Using the Book of Mormon - Thursday 9:45- 10:45 AM
Teaching Children with Special Needs to Read - Thursday 4:00- 5:00 PM
Vendor Workshop:  BYU Independent Study - Friday 9:45- 10:45 AM

Dr. Andrew Groft

Dr. Andrew Groft was awarded his Doctor of Education Degree from George Wythe College in 2001. Dr. Groft has taught and consulted for the Pennsylvania School for the Deaf, Tennessee School for the Deaf and Blind, George Wythe College , Southern Utah University, Iron County Public Schools, and several schools, businesses and governmental forums throughout the Western United States, Europe and Eastern Africa . Dr. Groft formerly served as Caucus Chair to the Family Caucus and Public Relations Liaison at the United Nations in New York and Istanbul. He has served on several business and academic boards. Andrew, his wife Leslie and their five children reside in Utah.

Classes
Keynote:  A Renaissance of Kings - Thursday 8:45- 9:30 AM
The Way You See Government is the Way You See Education - Friday 8:30- 9:30 AM
Teacher of the Year - Friday 2:45-3:45 PM

Marty Huie

Marty Huie, and her husband, Mark, have been homeschooling for 8 years.  They live in Virginia with their four children; the oldest just entering the high school years and the youngest just getting baptized.
Marty joined the LDS church while in college and soon transferred to BYU.  She then served a full-time mission in Los Angeles , returning home to marry her sweetheart and graduate from BYU with a degree in Civil Engineering.  As a career-driven convert to the church, the thought of being a stay-at-home mom took some soul searching.  However, after she felt led to the decision, she has never regretted it.   Subsequently, the idea of home schooling was an alien concept.  However, circumstances forced them to consider home schooling as a “temporary” option.  The big surprise was when the circumstances ended, that it was the thought of sending their children to public schools had become the real alien concept.  They have been home schooling ever since.
Marty and Mark’s approach to home schooling has evolved through the years, changing according to the needs of their family and inspiration.  Currently, they draw from many sources, combining a classical education with a Thomas Jefferson Education approach.
The Huies love living in the country where they can own horses, 4-wheel to their hearts content, and “live” nature rather than just read about it.  Their favorite part of the school day is when they gather together and “devour” a great classic. Marty currently serves on the 2008 LDSEHE Conference Committee.

Classes
Homeschool Philosophies - Wednesday Beginners 2:30-3:30 PM

Dan Hunter

Dan Hunter and his wife Janice have been married for twenty-eight years, and have 5 children, ranging in age from 19 to 27. They have homeschooled for 15 years. They currently have 3 married children, 1 child attending college, and 4 grandchildren. As a young man, Dan received his Duty to God award and served a mission in Sweden from 1975-1977. He has held many callings in the church, beginning with Deacon’s Quorum president and ranging from seminary teacher, Young Men’s President, Bishop’s counselor and more.
Dan is a graduate of George Wythe College in Business and Biblical Studies and was a private school teacher for ten years. While he was teaching, he found himself spending a great deal of time researching the people and events of history. Soon, other teachers expressed interest in the fruits of Dan’s research and he began writing his books. Currently, Dan has written nine history books which are used in private schools and homeschools across the nation. When Dan started this writing in 1999, he also founded his first publishing company, Living History. Dan’s Living History’s books cover U.S. and world history from an LDS perspective. Dan feels that history is more interesting and better remembered when told through the stories about the people and events of the time period. He also believes that it is vitally important to study history with an understanding of God’s laws, and his hand in dealing with his children when they obey or disobey those laws.
In 2004, the Hunters bought Archive Publishers and Wholesome Books, which they run with a lot of help from their children! Archive Publishers republishes historical Mormon books that tell the stories of the growth of the LDS church from the vantage point of those who lived through the events. Wholesome Books pursues the very best in educational and classical literature, with a particular emphasis on the education of young people. The Hunters believe that each of us has a mission to perform on this earth, and that the purpose of education is to help us in our unique missions.

Classes
Vendor Workshop:  Living History - Thursday 2:45- 3:45 PM
How Did the Native Americans Get Here? - Friday 9:45- 10:45 AM

Chad Hymas

If there is one thing that is constant in our personal and professional lives, it is change! The Wall Street Journal hails our speaker as one of the 10 most inspriational people in the world. In an era of unprecedented change and constant challenges, Chad Hymas is in high demand as an inspirational speaker. Traveling to businesses and organizations worldwide, Chad speaks as many as 150 times a year sharing his personal message.
On April 3, 2001, Chad's life changed instantaneously when a falling one-ton bale of hay broke his neck leaving him a quadriplegic. Doctors and others said that he would never walk again and that for the rest of his life he would be confined to an electric wheelchair.
Chad's dreams were NOT paralyzed that day, as he will tell you! He is the President of his own communications company. He is the author of the book entitled Soaring To New Heights. Chad is a world class wheelchair athlete playing basketball, full contact quad rugby, and he races marathons. In July of 2003, Chad set a new world record by wheeling a personal marathon of over 500 miles from Salt Lake City to Las Vegas. Also in 2003, Chad was one of two recipients in the state of Utah to receive the Superior Civilian Award. Yet, Chad's greatest accomplishment is that he remains a devoted husband to his loving wife, Shondell, and proud father to their two boys and daughter.
His message is inspiring! His experiences are amazing! So get ready to soar as Chad will tell you "Who Needs Legs, When You Have Wings?"

Classes
Closing Keynote:  Who Needs Legs…When You’ve Got Wings - Friday 4:00-5:00 PM

Dr. Glenn Kimber

Brother Glenn J. Kimber was born and raised in the Ogden, Utah area. He and his wife, Julianne Skousen Kimber, currently reside in Utah, and are the parents of eight children (six living), and grand-parents of nineteen.
Glenn’s undergraduate studies at Brigham Young University were in Accounting and Business Management where he earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in 1971. He has also received two Doctorate Degrees, a Doctorate of Religious Education from Coral Ridge Baptist University of Florida, and a Doctorate of Constitutional History from George Wythe College in Cedar City, Utah.
Brother Kimber has always had a love for America and our inspired Constitution. He was instrumental in developing a television program called “The Miracle of America,” which was presented nation-wide during the 1980s. He has also appeared before legislative committees in several states pertaining to religious education and other Constitutional issues. In addition, Brother and Sister Kimber have formed private schools called Kimber Academies (formerly known as The Benjamin Franklin Academy private schools). Brother Kimber travels throughout the U.S. presenting training conferences to those interested in religious private education. He and his wife have authored 77 textbooks covering the subjects of History, Science, Math, Language Arts, and Religion. All these textbooks are based on LDS principles and emphasize community service, and a love of learning for students of all ages.
Brother Kimber has also led over 30 tours to Israel during the past several years. While there, students and parents have the opportunity to participate in an excavation 20 miles south of Jerusalem called the Beit-Lehi Excavation. It is here that the Bedouin and Arab people claim that many years ago a prophet named Lehi lived and taught the people of Ishmael and Isaac.
Currently, Brother Kimber holds the position of President of American Founders Academy, and Vice President of American Founders University, both based in Provo, Utah. A well-known speaker on many topics, one of Brother Kimber’s favorite subjects is testifying of Jesus Christ and the incredible world events that are preceding His Second Coming. Dr. Kimber has also become a favorite presenter at homeschool conferences around the country. His warm speaking style is appreciated by parents and students alike.

Classes
American History and Prophecy, Part 1 - Thursday 9:45- 10:45 AM
Preparing for Cities of Zion, Part 2 - Thursday 11:00AM-12:00PM
Vendor Workshop:  Kimber Curriculum - Friday 8:30- 9:30 AM

Elizabeth Merrell

Between loads of laundry and shifts in the garden Elizabeth Merrell can be found exercising, reading or practicing experimental cooking. Passionate about science, Elizabeth created the “Eureka! Studies” to stimulate interest in the sciences, to meet her children's friends and to find excuses to interact with upcoming scientists. 
Elizabeth Merrell grew up in Houston, Texas as the second of twelve children born to Robert and Debbie Ahlborn. Life in the Ahlborn home focused around the family, with many home projects and an abundance of work opportunities. Elizabeth knows firsthand how trials are the crucibles for growth. Each crisis and the resolution thereof transforms and teaches her, and she claims her "real age" is at least 108 years. As her sons grow through their teenage years she expects to add many additional decades to this sum. She and Kent have three sons followed by three daughters and reside in Bountiful, Utah. 
In 2007, after a 17-year break from her educational pursuits, Elizabeth went back to school to finish her degree. In 2011 she expects to finish a Masters in Science and Nutrition (CMP), with a BIS in Chemistry, Nutrition and Zoology and a Master's in Herbology. When she is finished she hopes that she can still remember how to sleep at night!  Her goal is to use her educational training as a Registered Dietitian to change lives through better health while contributing to the education and missions of her 6 children. She also plans to cash in on her husband's promise to serve a mission together, perhaps dealing with third world nutrition issues or other humanitarian causes.
Fulfilling moments of Elizabeth’s life include the opportunity to serve as the Vice-President of the Norma I. Love Foundation, offering aid to Mosquito Coast villagers over a span of 6 years; serving as the Young Women's president in Frisco, Texas; teaching swimming lessons, especially to near-drowning victims; teaching math and science to homeschoolers; homeschooling her own family for ten years, and assisting in the founding of a charter school based on the book "A Well-Trained Mind."  Despite the joys found in these activities, Elizabeth cherishes most the daily pleasures found in the faces of her children and in the constancy of her husband's love and support. 

Classes
Real Math in TJEd - TJEd Wednesday 9:00-10:00 AM
Eureka! Inspiring Math and Science! - TJEd Wednesday 2:30-3:30 PM
Math Your Kids Need to Know - Thursday 9:45- 10:45 AM
Leaping Into Mathematical and Scientific Discovery - Friday 8:30- 9:30 AM

Nicholeen Peck

Nicholeen lives with her amazing husband, Spencer and their four children in Tooele, UT. She and Spencer have spent 13 years focusing on building a structure for an effective, joyful family. Nicholeen has a passion for helping families recognize principles that can help lift their families to the level of excellence which they desire. She has been trained and certified in using the “Teaching Family Model”, which was developed at Boys Town and is used by the Utah Youth Village. Nicholeen has presented parenting and leadership classes and seminars for 9 years throughout the United States and is currently working on a book on this subject.
The Pecks were foster parents to troubled youth ages 12-18 for four years, and credit their parenting paradigm shift to that experience. During these years, Nicholeen taught children with ADHD, OCD, kleptomania, compulsive lying, and anger control issues.  She said, “I taught behaviors, not medication. They would come to us on many medications and usually leave not on any medications. Many children are misdiagnosed. They just need to learn cause and effect better.”  Nicholeen is 5 Pillar Certified from George Wythe College. She leads an adult scholar group in her area, and is addicted to classics in all of their forms.

Nicholeen Peck will be giving seminars on Effective Parenting and Family Government - listen to interview with Nicholeen Peck

Classes
Parenting Mini-Seminar Part 1: The Foundation for Effective Parenting - Thursday 1:30- 2:30 PM
Parenting Mini-Seminar Part 2: Building Good Family Government - Thursday 2:45- 3:45 PM
Parenting Mini-Seminar Part 3: Teaching Self Government - Friday 8:30- 9:30 AM
Parenting Mini-Seminar Part 4: We are as the Parents of the Army of Helaman - Friday 9:45 - 10:45 AM

Kyle Roberts

Kyle Roberts is a student at George Wythe College and has been involved with the Face to Face with Greatness Seminars. He is the Vice President and Marketing Director of Personal Ponderings L.L.C., a family business he helped build over the last couple years.
Kyle is also the co-founder of the Founder’s Commonwealth School in Payson Utah. He taught there for a year before returning to George Wythe College to finish his undergraduate schooling.
For the last four years Kyle has been extensively involved in running simulations for various organizations in Utah. He has mentored hundreds of youth in the process of becoming and implementing true principles in every day life. He enjoys using the gifts and talents he has been given to help others grow.
Kyle currently lives in Cedar City, Utah, is married to the former Kimberly Wright, and has one, very energetic, one year old boy.

Classes
Vendor Workshop: Personal Ponderings - Friday 1:30-1:55 PM

Robin Schneider

Many homeschooling parents feel intimidated by the thought of teaching science; Robin Schneider has long felt inspired to educate and encourage moms and dads in this area. Her book, Teaching Science Skills at Home (Without Being a Rocket Scientist) was written to show parents how to give their children the best possible science education. She has been a guest on a homeschooling radio show.
Robin grew up in a family that valued both education and science and later earned a bachelor's degree in chemistry. She developed her methods of teaching based on these early experiences, as well as wisdom gained during years of homeschooling her four boys.
When not caring for her family, reading about science, or writing, Robin dabbles in her hobby of emergency preparedness. She's the author of the EmergencyPrep.net website as well as a member of the instructor committee for her city's Community Emergency Response Team.
Robin's past callings have been numerous and varied, but she's most enjoyed the twelve years she spent as some sort of teacher (Primary, Teacher Development). She currently serves as the Assistant Stake Preparedness Director in the Los Altos California Stake but looks forward hopefully to another teaching calling in the future.

Classes
Questions, Questions: Teaching with the Socratic Method - Thursday 2:45 - 3:45 PM
Teaching Science: The Three Pillars and the Scientific Method - Friday 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM

Alison Moore Smith

Alison Moore Smith was born in Provo, Utah, in 1964, and handed over to her real, loving parents two days later in the Skaggs parking lot. (Is this what we call a blue light special?) In 1985 she married her dream man, Dr. Samuel McArthur Smith, in the Salt Lake Temple. She graduated from BYU in 1987, three weeks after her first child was born.
She is now in her 14th year of homeschooling her six children. Her oldest daughter is a junior at BYU (on academic scholarship) and her youngest is four.
Alison loves singing, writing, computers, reading, karate, and rice crispies with sugar free chocolate milk powder and skim milk. She ran (using the term loosely) the Top of Utah Marathon to celebrate her 40th year on earth in 2004 and directed an awesome homeschool, teen, swing choir called SwingShift. She also serves as the CFO of Adept Systems Inc, owner of BookAlmighty.com, and creator of MormonMomma.com.

Classes
7 Habits of Highly Effective Home Schoolers - Thursday 1:30- 2:30 PM
A Super-Charged Home School Mom - Thursday 4:00 - 5:00 PM

Rodney K. Smith

President Smith was appointed President of Southern Virginia University on June 1, 2004. Before coming to SVU, he served as interim dean and Herff Chair of Excellence in Law at The University of Memphis. He also has taught or served as dean at The University of Arkansas at Little Rock, Capital University, The University of Montana, The University of San Diego, Widener University and The University of North Dakota.

Classes
Vendor Workshop: Southern Virginia University - Thursday 4:00 - 5:00 PM

Sasha Takis

Sasha Takis was born and raised in Idaho. Graduating from Nampa High School in 1991 as an Honor Student, She attended Westminster College of Salt Lake City with numerous academic, literary, and music scholarships. While at Westminster, she distinguished herself as an accomplished musician (testing out of various classes, earning her Minor in Music while a freshman, becoming the first freshman ever admitted into Westminster’s Renaissance Singers) and editor of the literary magazine. .
While at Westminster, Sasha met her future husband, Phil, and then proceeded to “serve a mission” in introducing him to the gospel. She left Westminster and pursued writing, graduating from The Institute of Children’s Literature. After her husband’s college graduation, they moved to the Seattle, Washington area, where they lived for 11 years. Their 5 children were born in Washington. Their 4 sons (ages 12, 10, 7, and 5) and their daughter (age 3) have always been homeschooled.
Sasha has a vast love for learning and education, and especially for bringing the gospel truths into each “subject.” While taking a Homeschool Qualification Course (a Washington State law), she decided to finish her Bachelor’s degree. That was all fine and good until she “got into it” with a Sociology professor over the vulgar required reading for the course. She told the professor what was what, dropped the course, and burned the book. This experience only fueled her fire for homeschooling!
Sasha has authored close to 50 published homeschool articles. She is a popular speaker at various homeschool conferences around the country. Sasha served for 5 years as a board member for the Washington State Latter-day Saint Family Educators, and for 2 years on the board of the National LDS Homeschool Association. Sasha was an assistant editor for a year for the Utah Home Education Association’s newsletter, Right at Home, and the Editor in Chief for a year of LDS-NHA’s publications, The Sentinel, The Quarterly Bulletin, and The Leaders’ Post.
Sasha is currently settled in Nibley (Logan), Utah, where she is heavily involved in her local support group, the Cache Valley Homeschoolers. She puts on a huge Fall Festival for the group every year, as well as a few smaller activities. In addition to enjoying eternal education with her children, Sasha is a piano teacher and likes writing and performing music. Her hobbies include hiking, tennis, archery, gardening, photography, scrapbooking, canning, and (blush) shopping. Her dream is to one day have a home library just like the one pictured in Disney’s “Beauty and the Beast.” (She keeps telling her husband she needs more bookshelves and he tells her to “just stop buying books.” It’s then that she loves to quote the prophet regarding having good books in our homes!) Sasha loves to do laundry.

Classes
The Sizzle, Spice, and Specifics of Unit Studies - Thursday 1:30- 2:30 PM
Terrible or Terrific?  Home Schooling with Toddlers in the Midst - Thursday 4:00 - 5:00 PM
Come, Follow Me – Homeschooling in the Footsteps of the Savior - Friday 11:00AM-12:00PM
Bringing the Scriptures into Every School Subject  (part 1) - Friday 1:30-2:30 PM
Bringing the Scriptures into Every School Subject  (part 2) - Friday 2:45-3:45 PM

Earl Taylor

Earl Taylor, President of the National Center for Constitutional Studies, has taught The Making of America Constitutional Study course to thousands of people over the past twenty years throughout the nation. He has developed other study courses for a wide range of participants, from high school students to state legislators.
Educated in Washington State and Arizona, Mr. Taylor graduated from Arizona State University and received his Masters Degree in Political Science from George Wythe College and Coral Ridge Baptist University. He has had the privilege of being privately tutored by Dr. W. Cleon Skousen over the course of many years. He became President of the National Center for Constitutional Studies in 1995, an organization founded by Dr. Skousen in 1971 as the Freemen Institute. The purpose of the NCCS is to teach Americans the exciting message of the Founding Fathers – where they got their great ideas and how they put them all together into a Constitution for the establishment of the first free people in modern times. In 1998, Mr. Taylor was awarded an Honorary Doctor of Law degree from George Wythe College and Coral Ridge Baptist University. He also serves as a member of the adjunct faculty of George Wythe College.
Mr. Taylor served as coordinator in 1985 of the Winter Conference for State Legislators where nearly 400 elected officials from 30 states met to study The Making of America. He has written a special study guide for Boy Scouts to help them earn their Citizenship Merit Badges. He also helped structure courses on the U. S. Constitution for college re-certification of public school teachers.
In his desire to begin to train young people in this most important area, Mr. Taylor established one of the first charter high schools in Arizona, Heritage Academy, where he has developed a special curriculum for the teaching of hundreds of students the exciting message of the Founding Fathers. Mr. Taylor has also been instrumental in encouraging the celebration of Constitution Week in many cities and schools throughout the nation. Mr. Taylor and his wife, Ruth, are the parents of ten children and reside in Mesa, Arizona.

Earl Taylor will be speaking on the Miracle of the Constitution - listen to interview with Earl Taylor

Classes
Vendor Workshop: The 28 Principles of Liberty —A Miracle that Changed the World - Thursday 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM
A More Perfect Union - Friday 1:30-2:30 PM

Gregory van Duyse

Gregory and his wife Evelyn have been home schooling their five children (10, 8, 7, 2 years old and a new baby!) for the past five years in Montreal,Canada. They have been inspired by the Lord to educate them and consider it a blessing. Gregory is an entrepreneur and loves to be engaged in building the Kingdom. The 2004 LDSEHE conference inspired him to help make the conference accessible to as many saints as possible. He feels it is a pleasure to work beside so many good people who strive to building the kingdom of God one child at a time. Gregory has contributed in exceptional ways towards developing the vision, clarifying the mission, and ordering the organizational framework of LDSEHE. His leadership and support of the executive board is extremely valuable and appreciated.

Classes
Love of Learning in Our Home - TJEd Wednesday 11:00AM-12:00PM

Denise Ward

Married to Craig Ward for 26 years. I'm a mom to twelve kids, ages 25-3yrs. Seven girls, and five boys. I also have two grandchildren, with more on the way. I've been homeschooling 11 years--I can't believe it's been that long!!! I started homeschooling when my oldest hit high school. One day I had finally had enough of the rat race and pulled all my children out of public school in the middle of a year. I have four homeschool graduates, (BYU, BYUI and SVU and one on a mission) and eight still in homeschool. Preschool through 12th grade. I've had four babies while homeschooling, so I know how hard it is to teach multiple grades, and handle babies at the same time! I've learned organization is a blessing, not a chore.

Classes
Happy Mommy: Tips to Help New Homeschool Moms… - Wednesday Beginners 3:30- 4:30 PM

Katie Wilson

Katie Wilson and her husband, Dave, are the parents of four children, three boys (ages 13, 11 and 7) and one girl (age 4). They live in Virginia and have been homeschooling for eight years. She served for 5 years as a seminary teacher, and is currently enjoying sleeping past 5 a.m.! Katie also enjoys singing, directing choirs and composing music.
Katie grew up in Northern Virginia and for the most part, enjoyed her own public school experiences. After graduating from BYU with a B.S. in Psychology and a minor in English, she returned to Virginia with West-Coast husband, Dave, in tow. She continued her studies at George Mason University, where she received her Master’s Degree in School Psychology. Although she always knew she would stay home with her children when they were small, Katie never suspected that she would be homeschooling them. In fact, throughout her graduate program she was firmly committed to making public schools better. However, by the time her oldest son started 1st grade, Katie knew that homeschooling was the path her family was to take. She started attending LDSEHE home education conferences in 2002 and has been serving as the secretary since 2006.
The Wilsons love to take road trips, spend time with extended family and read. Their favorite part of the day is dog-piling on the couch while Mom reads aloud.

Classes
What Does TJEd Look Like in Your Home? - TJEd Wednesday 3:30- 4:30 PM
The Power of Family Reading - Friday 9:45- 10:45 AM

Jeremy Wise, PhD.

Jeremy Wise is Dir. Of R&D for Educational Help, Inc, the parent company of Reading Success Lab. Jeremy was born in Cleveland, Ohio and grew up in Cleveland and New York City. After graduating high school he attended Cornell University and received a B.S. degree in 1969. After graduating, he spent 3 years teaching Junior High Science. In 1972 he entered the University of Massachusetts enrolled in a physics Ph.D. program. In 1979 he was awarded a Ph.D. in Experimental Particle Physics. After finishing graduate school, Jeremy left the world of physics for computer software and hardware development. He has developed software used by NASA, Kimberly Clark and numerous smaller entities. He has developed software for controlling computerized exercise equipment and analyzing human motion in addition to developing the Reading Success Lab software.

Classes
Vendor Workshop: Computerized Educational Assessments and Interventions from Reading Success Lab - Friday 11:00 - 12:00 AM

Dr. David Wright

Dr. David Wright has his Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Physics from Brigham Young University, and his PhD in Physics from Virginia Tech. He teaches Physics and Astronomy at Tidewater Community College in Virginia Beach, VA, where he has been for 33 years. He has appeared on “Live with Regis and Kathy Lee” and “Late Night with Conan O’Brien”. He is Dr. D in the “NASA Science Files” TV show. He also performs Physics shows at Busch Gardens in both Williamsburg, VA and Tampa, FL. He has a wife and four grown children. He has served as a Bishop and a Stake President, and currently serves as Stake Young Men President.

Classes
Evening Entertainment - Wednesday 7:00- 10:00 PM
Making Science Fun - Thursday 11:00AM-12:00PM
Science in Religion - Youth Thursday 1:30- 2:30 PM

Panel Members

Jamie Anderson

Jamie Anderson, a current resident of VA and mother of 4, has been home-schooling “officially” for 4 years. During her undergraduate studies, she felt inspired that at some point in her future, she would need to teach her children at home. Subsequently, she received her Bachelor of Science in Elementary and Special Education from Brigham Young University- Hawaii. Her home-schooling approach has evolved from traditional conveyor belt to a mixture of TJE and classical. Jamie and her husband, Travis, enjoy their role as the primary educators and mentors for their children—who range in age from eight to two years. As a family, they enjoy spending their free time accomplishing running goals, drawing, studying a good read, playing soccer and softball, and are big fans of outdoor recreation.

Andrew Behnke

Andrew O. Behnke, PhD, is assistant professor of human development and an extension parent specialist at North Carolina State University in Raleigh. He holds master’s and doctoral degrees in family studies from Utah State University and Purdue University. He conducts applied research in many areas, including academic achievement among Latino youth, parent involvement in academics, and family and community partnerships. He is married to his best friend and has three adventuresome boys and one little princess of a daughter.

Michelle Carbee

Michelle and her husband Todd have been homeschooling their two boys, Chase (17) and Bryce (15) since they were born. This year they have added homeschooling their niece, Brooke, age 11, to their routine as she came to live with them in September. Michelle has been active in homeschooling by organizing and running group activities and classes for the past 8+ years. She has taught a class for LDSEHE in the past. This is her first year of working with the Conference Committee.

 

Shawn Coombs

Shawn Coombs grew up in St. George , Utah with 2 brothers and 4 sisters. He served his mission in Guayaquil , Ecuador and attended Dixie College , where he was the Student Body President and Sophomore Student of the Year. He then finished his Degree in Civil Engineering at Brigham Young University , where he met his amazing wife, Melissa. They are the proud parents of 5 children, and have been homeschooling for over 7 years. His wife says that while she is the main teacher in their homeschool, Shawn is the much-appreciated and talented “entertainment committee!”  Although Shawn travels frequently with his job and currently serves as Bishop in his ward, he still finds time to enjoy rappelling, hiking, camping, and other outdoor adventures with his family.

Lindsey Forero

Lindsey and her husband Fernando live in Virginia. They began homeschooling their seven children four years ago. They started thinking about homeschooling when they had their first child but didn’t actually start until he turned ten. Lindsey loves teaching her children at home and can’t believe it took them so long to begin. Science is her favorite subject to teach. Over the years, Lindsey, has taught science classes within her homeschool group and is currently putting together a cooking class for her girls. She currently serves as the sunbeam teacher and the wolf/bear cub scout leader for her ward. Lindsey enjoys working on her homeschool blog, reading, baking, scouting, collecting shells at the beach, playing games with her family and going to museums.

Cheri Frary

After celebrating 26 years of living in Virginia, Cheri Frary, a Wyoming native, finally feels like it’s home. Certainly all ten of the Frary children consider themselves easterners. Cheri and her husband, John, have been raising their brood in northern Virginia suburbia and have just completed their 17th year of homeschooling.
Cheri received an Associate Degree from Ricks College and then went on to BYU where, while waiting for a mission call, she met John. Instead of entering the LTM (now known as the MTC), she entered the temple with John and they were married. After struggling to both finish their degrees (Cheri was in labor with her last final), they settled in Nebraska for four years and then moved to Virginia. Cheri has a B.S. in Early Childhood Education. She is also a musician, a piano teacher, a grandma and a florist.
The Frarys began homeschooling the year after comprehensive sex education was put in place in Virginia schools. Their oldest had just finished seventh grade. Originally they made this move as a response but soon began to see the benefits that are inherent in homeschooling. It has become a way of life for their family. They now have 2 college grads, 6 college students (one in grad school), and only three studying at home. Cheri’s approach to schooling has been varied and has fluctuated according to the needs of each child. She has discovered through the years that not only are there no perfect students or perfect teachers, there is no perfect curriculum and has a complete library which proves it. She has also discovered that the book which was unused for years and finally sold is exactly the one a particular child needs now. Just like life, homeschooling if full of surprises.

John Frary

John and Cheri are the parents of ten children and have home schooled for over 18 years. They have been married for 32 years. John works as a Security consultant/contractor in Information Assurance. He has spent over 25 years in retail businesses and possess extensive customer service skills. He was a training manager for many years training hundreds of managers, in operations, HR, P&L responsibilities. He served a mission to France in the early 70's. He met Cheri at BYU and they finished their Baccalaureate degrees at the university. John has been active in Boy Scouts for over thirty years. He and Cheri have been active in numerous church callings, and are waiting patiently to spoil their grandchildren.

Jennifer Georgia

Jennifer grew up in Idaho , became a critical care nurse, served a mission in Peru , married her sweetheart, and has four "blessings" (children). Jennifer keeps busy homeschooling her children, while serving as Relief Society President and working part-time as a nurse. The Georgias began homeschooling when their oldest child was three. Now, that child is successfully navigating her freshman year of college! Jennifer says: “What a blessing homeschooling has been to us -- allowing us to spend lots of time together, prompting us to have deep, important discussions, helping us to enjoy each other and have fun together.” Her homeschool has evolved over the years; from a traditional "public-school" type approach to other options, including Classical Education, Charlotte Mason, and Thomas Jefferson Education. The Georgias live in Virginia.

Julie Hansen

Julie Hansen is becoming an “expert” in cramped-quarters-homeschooling (which started with a return to student life) with her husband, 6-year old daughter, and almost 4-year old son.  Her husband recently graduated from law school and they are now enjoying all that city life has to offer in the Washington D.C. metro area, fourteen stories above the ground.  After studying elementary education at BYU, she was a regional manager for eight years and a gourmet foods business owner.  For the last five years, Julie was mentored in behavior and habit training for a child’s early years by a large group of homeschool moms.  After visiting the homes of over 40 homeschool moms, she has learned techniques to parent with love and without anger and to enjoy the art of being fully present with her children.  Julie enjoy’s her co-ops that focus on Teri Ebert’s work and Montessori manipulative presentation. When she is not schooling, she enjoys reading, mentoring, correspondence, walking to everything, museums, and doing anything at all with her husband.

Tina Nokes

Tina Nokes has homeschooled her four sons for eight years. Two of her sons are currently attending BYU. She has researched and implemented different teaching philosophies, methods, and techniques, as well as advised several beginning homeschoolers on how to get started. She lives with her family in Vienna , VA.

 

 

Cynthia Olson

Cynthia and Jarom Olson have been married for over 10 years, have 3 beautiful daughters (ages 4, 6 and 9) and are in the process of adopting another child.  They began homeschooling their oldest daughter a few months after first grade began.  Cynthia’s passion for learning has increased since beginning homeschooling.  She loves that each child can be taught at her own level and speed, with an individualized schedule, to receive her own “private education.”  Cynthia feels “blessed to spend every day with [my children]…seeing their stepping stones accomplished instead of just hearing about them.  What a blessing to be so involved in their lives!”

Bente Rodriguez

Bente Rodriguez and her husband, Todd, have been married for 14 years and have 9 wonderful children (ages 12, 10, 9, 7, 6, 5, 3, 2 and 4 months). They started homeschooling when their oldest child reached kindergarten age. At first, they were “taking one year at a time,” but eventually decided that homeschooling was just a way of life for them. Over the years, Bente has used a variety of approaches, including making her own curriculum, using The Well Trained Mind, using a charter school and a combination of the above. She continues to fine-tune and adjust their homeschool as her children grow. Bente says, “Situations change, and we adjust and just keep moving forward…learning and growing together.” The Rodriguez family resides in Ohio .

Sherry Veach

Sherry Veach has four children aged 16, 14, 11, and 5.  She and her husband, Jeff, have been homeschooling for 6 years.  Sherry graduated from BYU with a B.S. in Clothing and Textiles and was married the next day in the Salt Lake City temple. The Veach family has lived in New Jersey , Switzerland and currently lives in North Carolina .  Sherry loves to read, travel, swim and even quilt when she has the time (which is not very often!).

Juventa Vezzani

Juventa grew up in the Washington D.C. area, and currently lives in Charles Town, West Virginia. Juventa graduated from BYU Provo with a BA in Latin American Studies. She and her husband, Dave, have 5 children (ages 10, 9, 7, 4 and 2) who are their greatest treasures and opportunities for growth. In addition to being a wife, homemaker and homeschool mom, Juventa enjoys music composition, scrapbooking and is currently writing a cookbook for families with milk allergies. Of homeschooling, Juventa says “There is nothing quite like watching [my children’s] testimonies and their understanding of the world around them grow on a daily basis.”

Dana Wood

Dana and her husband, Spencer, have been homeschooling their 10 children since 1987. As a military family, they have lived all over the country, including 9 years in Alaska. Besides homeschooling, Dana enjoys reading, sewing, gardening, knitting and quilting. As LDSEHE Vice President, Dana is primarily responsible for the extraordinary success of our youth education conference over the past two years. She is also becoming an oft-requested and trusted speaker. She and her family reside in New Jersey.