29th Home School Book Fair
May 10 and 11, 2013
Speakers
Featured Speakers
Rosie Boom |
Rachael Carman |
Renee Ellison |
Dennis Gundersen |
Lyndsay & Tim
Lambert |
Dr. Jason Lisle |
Stephen, Sarah & Grace Mally |
Dr. Jobe & Jenna Dee Martin |
Mirren & Taryn Martin |
Doug Phillips |
Jessica & Anthony Rondina |
Dr. G. Thomas Sharp |
Susan Vanderlaan |
Rosie Watson |
Jim Weiss |
Todd Wilson |
All Speakers
(listed alphabetically)
Jan Bedell
Jan Bedell, The Brain Coach, is a master neurodevelopmentalist and founder of the Christian neuro-educational consulting and training group, Little Giant Steps. After many years as a public, private and home school teacher, she has become passionate about helping parents better the lives of their children using her life-changing neurodevelopmental approach to learning. She knows that parents are asking questions like, “Why do my children know something one day and not the next? Why are they so disorganized? Why does it take them so long to do their school work”? For more than two decades she has offered ways to discover and improve a child's current functional abilities whether gifted or challenged. www.littlegiantsteps.com
Barbara Beers
A veteran home school mom of almost 30 years, Barbara Beers has not only taught her own children, other students, parents, and school teachers, but organized her studies and wrote the popular series, The PHONICS Road to Spelling and Reading and The LATIN Road to English Grammar, used in schools and home schools around the world. In the long term effort of building strong Christian families, she teaches and encourages moms and dads in the areas of classical education, spelling, writing, reading, grammar, and Latin, as well as gives them the tools to master these subjects so that they can be taught in a thorough and enjoyable way. www.thelatinroad.com
Gary and Jan Bloom
Gary and Jan Bloom began their home school adventure in 1982. Though not old enough to be pioneers, they were in the first group of settlers who followed the faint trails that later developed into the super highways of modern home schooling. They home schooled their three children through high school, after which they began their exhibitor/speaker lifestyle, believing that what they learned in their years of home schooling would help other home schooling parents to home school better, with more joy, and less pain. Jan’s books and advice have helped countless parents choose great books for good reading. Gary has helped many dads to incorporate a family reading time into their day. Both Gary and Jan love being used by God to heal, protect, challenge, and build up home schooling families coast to coast. Gary and Jan live in Rolla, MO and currently have six grandchildren. www.booksbloom.comRosie Boom
New Zealand home schooler Rosie Boom lives with her husband Chris and their six children in northern rural New Zealand. She spent her childhood in the jungles of New Guinea where she wrote her first short story at the age of nine. Later she worked in Borneo as a registered nurse/missionary. Rosie has home schooled her children for the last 18 years. She is a singer/songwriter and the author of a number of books. Her first series, The Gift of Values, reflects Rosie’s passion for family and is a resource to help and inspire parents in the challenging task of raising Godly children. In the multi-award-winning series, The Barn Chronicles, Rosie writes about the Boom family’s fun and adventures as they make their home in a 94-year-old barn. Rosie sings and speaks to the heart with humour, warmth and passion. www.rosieboom.com
Marcia Brim
A veteran of thirteen years of home schooling, Marcia Brim writes history, worldview and Bible study materials for home school families. Her passion is equipping families to be salt and light in this dark, decaying world. She delights in teaching worldview classes to 10 to 13 children and unfolding the richest of Genesis 1-3 for adults. Her family owns BrimWood Press through which her products and other items are available. Marcia, her husband, and youngest son live in apple farming country in Northern California. . www.brimwoodpress.com
Jean Burk
Jean Burk is the author of College Prep Genius and has written numerous articles about the SAT and PSAT tests, College Prep, and How to Get Free College. She has been featured as an SAT expert on Fox, CBS, NBC, TXA21 and The Homeschool Channel. She home schooled both her children who received incredible scholarships because of their PSAT and SAT scores for full tuition, room and board, unlimited laundry and lunchroom passes, study abroad stipends, etc. She currently travels and speaks about the importance of college preparation at conventions, book fairs, schools, libraries, etc. She has taught her “Master the SAT” Prep Class all over the United States. www.collegeprepgenius.comRachael Carman
Rachael Carman, home school mother of seven children, has enjoyed speaking and encouraging home schoolers for over fifteen years. She loves challenging them to learn, live, and defend the Christian faith, daring to do so in "reckless" obedience. She has been on the board of North Carolinians for Home Education since 2002. A year later, she started Real Refreshment Retreats for home school moms, which have since expanded to Chicago, Austin, Atlanta, and Anchorage, Alaska. In 2008 she and husband Davis became the new owners of Apologia Educational Ministries and brought her moms' retreat under its umbrella. Rachael had the privilege of authoring a book for Focus on the Family in 2005 entitled Soundbites from Heaven – What God Wants Us to Hear When We Talk To Our Kids. www.apologia.com
Donna Conner
Donna Conner lives in Fort Worth, TX with her husband, Glenn, their son, Mike, Donna's mother, Charlotte, and their dog, Lucia. Donna and Glenn home schooled their son since the beginning of his education. Mike completed his home schooling in the fall of 2008. Donna is an artist and has always enjoyed writing. She wrote Homeschooling Only One in 2003, after discovering that there were many other families home schooling only one child. Her website is devoted to those with only one student in their home school, with listings of online resources. You can find these free resources, including a message board for those who HOO, on her website at http://donnac.com and read her blog at http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/DonnaC
Lynn Dean
Because she didn't like history as a student, Lynn Dean determined to give her own children something better. She created Discover Texas, a discovery learning program that blends stories with activities, field trips, and discussion to make history memorable and meaningful. A graduate of Texas A&M University, Lynn taught drafting, writing, and Texas history classes for 10 years at the Brazos Valley Home School Cooperative. Lynn and her husband, Tom, home schooled for more than 16 years and served 3 terms as leaders of their local support group. Their son and daughter are now adults who prove that home schooling was worth every effort! www.discovertexasonline.com / www.aNOVELWritingSite.com
Daniel Ellis
Daniel and his wife Brenda home schooled their three children, now graduates, while developing the widely popular ARTistic Pursuits Series for home schoolers, founded in 1999. Daniel is a graduate of the Kansas City Art Institute and co-developer, speaker, illustrator, and web designer for Artistic Pursuits Inc. He has over thirty years of experience in the fine arts, which includes testing new art materials and teaching 1-12 art, photography, and art history. His artworks include local landscapes of the Rocky Mountain region and figurative paintings. He currently resides with his wife and family in a busy, creative household in Northglenn, Colorado, a suburb of Denver. www.artisticpursuits.comRenée Ellison
“Your home schooling tips are like brain candy to me!” Renee Ellison’s practical tips have been a boost to thousands of moms. With over 30 years of experience in Christian, private, secular, and home education, she brings rare understanding to all of her workshops. She has taught nearly all grade levels and was an elementary principal, head of a high school English department and Teacher of the Year. She developed and ran gifted and talented programs and has conducted numerous teacher training workshops and seminars at home school conferences nationwide. You’ll leave with newfound confidence and capacity. Her unique knack and wit for making complex things simple makes attending her workshops a pure delight. Her new book, Teachers' Secrets and Motherhood Savvy for Homeschoolers, is now available at www.homeschoolhowtos.com
John Grunder
John Grunder and his wife Susan began home schooling in 1993. Having graduated their three oldest children, they continue home schooling their last child who is a junior in high school. John taught science, math and technology for fifteen years in private and public schools. In 2002 he started Exploration Education and has authored both elementary and intermediate level homeschool science curricula. Drawing from his background as a missionary, youth director, teacher, and homeschool father, John brings a unique perspective to home schooling as he encourages moms and dads by giving them practical tools for their role as parent and teacher. www.explorationeducation.comDennis Gundersen
Dennis Gundersen is owner of Grace & Truth Books, the family business he and his wife Naomi began in 1993. They have published 60 books, most of of which are reprints of children's books from the 1800's. He is author of two books, Your Child's Profession of Faith and Courtship or Dating: So What's the Difference and hopes to have a new book, Teaching Children the Fear of the Lord, by the time of this convention. He is a frequent speaker at church conferences, men's retreats and home education conventions. Dennis and his wife Naomi have been married since 1976, and have four sons. He has served as senior pastor of three churches in Tulsa, Oklahoma since 1984, but since 2010 has focused on publishing and writing. He is an avid mountain climber and photographer. www.graceandtruthbooks.com
Jim Hodges
Jim Hodges is an 18 year home schooling father of three children, a 20-year Navy retiree, and 32-year husband to Monica. On a date night before his retirement, Monica asked what he would do if he could choose his job. Jim said, "Easy, I'd record books." Monica said "Let's try it!" and Jim Hodges Audio Books was born. Jim has made unabridged recordings of 18 of the George Alfred Henty historical novels, 6 childrens books, 3 "Overtly Christian" books, and reissues educational Old Time Radio Shows. Jim would like to see everyone enjoying their work doing something they love. www.jimhodgesaudiobooks.com
Monica Irvine
Monica Irvine is a home school mom and a Certified Etiquette Instructor who loves to help children see the benefits and rewards of having good manners. Monica is the owner and creator of The Etiquette Factory as well as the author of Etiquette for Beginners, Etiquette Intermediate and Etiquette Masters. She writes several monthly columns in various publications. Monica is passionate about giving home school parents the tools they need to successfully teach proper manners and social skills to their children. She feels strongly about the need to educate children in the art of etiquette to help ensure their future success both personally and professionally. www.theetiquettefactory.com
Mary James
Mary James lives in Bastrop, Texas and is the mother of eight children. In 1989 she began home schooling them. In 1999 Mary co-founded Smoothing the Way, a non-profit organization which seeks to meet the needs of new home schoolers. She also serves on the Texas Home School Coalition Board of Directors and continues her popular speaking ministry at several home school conferences each year. In her workshops, Mary draws not only from her personal experience as a home schooling mom but also from her many years of working with new home schoolers. Speaking from her heart with warmth and humor, she encourages her listeners to face the often daunting task of educating their children at home. www.smoothingtheway.com
Dr. Jerry Johnson
Dr. Jerry Johnson, President of Criswell College, is a home school dad. A graduate of Criswell College himself, Dr. Johnson earned graduate degrees at Denver Seminary and Southern Baptist Theological Seminary where he remained in various roles for 14 years. He was dean of Boyce College and served in various roles at Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. He has served in pastoral ministry in Indiana, Kentucky, Colorado, and Texas. Dr. Johnson has traveled on a dozen international mission trips, written numerous theological position papers and has published various articles of interest to Southern Baptists. www.criswell.edu
Dr. Rebecca Keller
Dr. Keller has been a home school mom for over 15 years. She began writing science books for kids when she started home schooling her own children. Today she is the author of Real Science-4-Kids and CEO/founder of Gravitas Publications Inc. She earned a PhD in biophysical chemistry from the University of New Mexico and pursued post-doctoral work at the University of New Mexico and the University of California, Berkeley in molecular biology and neuroscience. Through her books, Dr. Keller hopes to bring science to home school families that this fun, engaging, and easy for parents to teach. www.gravitaspublications.com
Teresa Knight
Teresa Knight, mother of nine home schooled children, is owner of Knight's Book Knook, chairman of her local home school group, and Awana Club leader. She also runs a whole foods co-op and owns a second home-based business with Alan, her husband of 25 years. She and Alan have always home schooled their children and have graduated three of them so far. The family lives on a small hobby farm where they raise dairy cows, chickens, horses, dogs, cats, a rabbit and some fish. Together with her children, Teresa travels around the country with their home school business, helping home schoolers and speaking at conventions. She is an energetic speaker whose passion is to encourage families to reach the hearts of their children and raise a godly generation. www.knightsbookknook.netTim and Lyndsay Lambert
Tim Lambert, president of the Texas Home School Coalition, and his wife Lyndsay, have been leaders in the Texas home school movement for more than twenty years. They began as local home school leaders in the Lubbock area before Tim assumed leadership of the Texas Home School Coalition in 1990. They travel tirelessly around the state, encouraging home school families and training support group leaders. Tim also lobbies in Austin, having built strong working relationships with Texas state legislators and governmental agencies so as to protect the rights of parents to home school their children. The Lamberts have four grown children (including twins) whom they home schooled. www.thsc.orgDr. Jason Lisle
Dr. Jason Lisle is a Christian astrophysicist who writes and speaks on various topics relating to science and the defense of the Christian faith. He holds a master’s degree and a Ph.D. in astrophysics from the University of Colorado in Boulder. He specialized in solar astrophysics and has made a number of scientific discoveries regarding the solar photosphere, including the detection of giant cell boundaries using the SOHO spacecraft. He also does theoretical research and has contributed to the field of general relativity. Since completing his research at the University of Colorado, Dr. Lisle began working full-time in apologetics ministry, specializing in the defense of Genesis. His most well-known book, The Ultimate Proof of Creation, demonstrates that biblical creation is the only logical possibility for origins. He also wrote and directed the popular planetarium shows at the Creation Museum, including “The Created Cosmos.” www.icr.org and www.NLPG.comSarah, Stephen and Grace Mally
Sarah, Stephen, and Grace Mally (homeschool graduates) live in Marion, Iowa, where they are involved full time in their family ministry called Tomorrow’s Forefathers. They speak often at conferences, encouraging families and young people to be strong for the Lord. In 2002 Sarah, Stephen, and Grace co-authored the book, Making Brothers and Sisters Best Friends. Sarah is the founder of Bright Lights, a worldwide discipleship ministry to equip young ladies to live fully for the Lord. Today there are more than 500 Bright Lights groups nationwide. In 2006 Sarah published the book Before You Meet Prince Charming. This spring Grace published a new book geared to young people to equip them to witness. It is entitled Will Our Generation Speak: A Call to be Bold with the Gospel. As our world grows increasingly dark, the Mallys pray that the Lord would raise up mighty warriors for His kingdom in this generation.www.tomorrowsforefathers.comDr. Jobe and Jenna Dee Martin
After graduating from dental school, Dr. Jobe Martin spent two years in the Air Force where he was the dentist for the Presidential flight crew of Air Force One. Then he established a private dental practice at NASA in Houston. Jobe and his wife, Jenna Dee, moved to Dallas in 1971 when he assumed a teaching post at the Baylor College of Dentistry. In 1982, he made the decision to enroll at Dallas Theological Seminary after which time they founded their creation discipleship ministry, Biblical Discipleship Ministries. Jobe’s wife, Jenna Dee is a retired R.N and ministers to ladies’ groups and does counseling with women. The Martins’ daughters, Taryn and Mirren work with their parents in the ministry. When they are not traveling in ministry, the Martin family resides in Rockwall, Texas. www.BiblicalDiscipleship.orgMirren and Taryn Martin
Taryn and Mirren Martin are the daughters of Dr. Jobe and Jenna Dee Martin and work full time in their family’s ministry, Biblical Discipleship Ministries. They were home schooled through high school. In college they studied elementary and history education and both hold Ph.D.’s in history. Together with their parents they are involved in writing and research, events coordination, the BDM book table, and product development. As the Lord gives opportunity, they also enjoy a side ministry within BDM to young ladies. Their desire for young ladies is that they understand the importance, blessing, and fulfillment found in a personal relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ. Their talks include presenting Biblical truths to encourage young ladies in living victorious Christian lives and to equip them to confront cultural issues in a godly manner so that they can better live out a Biblical worldview for God’s glory. www.BiblicalDiscipleship.org
Matt Miles
Matt and his wife Theresa are missionaries to church youth. They have been with Creation Truth Foundation since 2006. Matt has effectively served the Lord in three different Kansas churches as youth pastor and is a well-studied preacher and teacher of Biblical origins. He has developed an excellent program in Biblical Astronomy. He is a very talented communicator with young people of all ages, and is becoming a much sought after speaker in Christian youth camps and youth training programs. Matt and Theresa have been married for over 20 years and have two beautiful daughters, Brooke & Megan. Theresa and the girls are a great support to the ministry when on the road or at home. www.creationtruth.com
Chardell Novotny
Chardell Novotny, wife of a “Gate Man” (see Prov. 31:23), mother of seven children, is a passionate home school veteran of 23 years… and still lovin’ it all! Nine years ago she discovered the desperate need for “backup” as she navigated the realm of writing woes and reluctant writers. Then she discovered the Institute for Excellence in Writing and became one of IEW’s biggest fans when she witnessed first-hand the captivating and masterful way that Andrew Pudewa makes simple the complexity of writing. She has been busy writing and teaching these concepts ever since. With four graduates out the door to change the world, she has great job security with three children still learning at home.www.excellenceinwriting.com
Debbie Oberste
Debbie and her husband Chris have been married for 21 years and have been blessed with six children. In 1993, led by the Lord, she started the journey of educating her children at home. Three have since graduated. Her children present a wide range of talent and challenge which has kept Debbie "on her knees" seeking the best ways to help them. Despite the challenges she still believes educating children at home is one of the best and hardest decisions parents can make. So she does what she can to come alongside parents to encourage and empower them to do the best job possible. Her oldest daughter is now married and has blessed her with two grandbabies. Debbie is looking forward to helping home educate the next generation. www.rightstartmath.com
Doug Phillips
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. www.visionforum.com
David and Shirley Quine
David and Shirley Quine, parents of nine children, began home schooling their children in 1980 in Richardson, Texas. At that time, Bryce, their oldest son, was five years old. To David and Shirley home schooling has given them the opportunity to disciple their children. Shirley describes this as a "chain of faith" -- connecting one generation to the next as described in Deuteronomy Chapter 6. Together they have written many popular home school curricula. It is their desire to assist parents in building their families upon the Biblical World View. To them there is no higher calling. www.cornerstonecurriculum.comJessica and Anthony Rondina
In 2004 brother-sister duo Anthony and Jessica Rondina stumbled into filmmaking through a home school history project. Excited about their first family project, they submitted their short film to the San Antonio Independent Christian Film Festival and placed as a Finalist in their Young Filmmaker’s category. Their love for storytelling began to grow with passion and skill as top producers introduced them to the Christian film industry. Today, their latest animated film, JERICHO: The Promise Fulfilled, has been seen by thousands of people across the globe. Anthony and Jessica travel the country sharing what they have learned and encouraging families to work together as a formidable unit to produce films with excellence. www.shatterpointentertainment.com
Alan Scholl
Alan Scholl and his wife Doreen home schooled their seven children for over 25 years. Alan's passion has been education, particularly American heritage, history, government and culture. He is Executive Director and Vice President of American Opinion Foundation, sponsor of FreedomProject Education. He has been a keynote speaker for many home school, constitutional and political conferences and gatherings. For the past 20 years Alan and Doreen have resided in Appleton WI, where Alan serves as deacon at Grace Baptist Church. They now have seven grandchildren. www.FPEUSA.orgDr. G. Thomas Sharp
Since the 1960’s Dr. Sharp has dedicated his life to researching the problems facing the modern Christian society. A science educator since 1964, he has a bachelor of science degree from Purdue University, a masters of science from the University of Oklahoma, and a Ph.D. from the South Florida Bible College and Seminary in the philosophy of religion and science. He eventually founded Creation Truth Foundation (CTF) and the Institute of Biblical Worldview Studies (IBWS), both in Noble, Oklahoma. He is also the co-founder and director of the Museum of Earth History in Dallas, TX (on the campus of Christ For The Nations International). He enjoys an international reputation as a Christian educator, religious leader, businessman and author. He and his wife Diane reside in Oklahoma. They have four children and ten grandchildren. www.creationtruth.com
Bonnie Simon
Bonnie Ward Simon is executive producer and creator of Maestro Classics™, a series of award-winning classical music CDs for children and their parents. Music educator, published author, and highly successful orchestra administrator, she created the original Stories in Music concerts performed at the Kennedy Center. www.maestroclassics.com
Abigail Smith
Abigail Smith, 23-year-old daughter of Ron and Betty Smith (Eagle's Wings Educational Materials), has been battling a form of terminal cancer known as Synovial Cell Sarcoma since January 2012. Abigail has been blessed to have a close relationship with her family—they have helped shape her into the person she is today. Thanks to her parents making travel an important part of their lives, she has been to most of the U.S. as well as to several other countries. Her passion is to share with this generation their identity in Christ and how that can change their lives. At times she has felt as though she were riding a non-stop roller coaster of emotions. But throughout this whole experience God’s faithfulness and peace have been so real to her that she can't not share about His faithfulness and goodness to her. Attend her workshop "Terminal Cancer Wasn't in My Plans".
Paige Timer
Paige Timer, the daughter of a pastor and lover of music and theatre, is passionate about building relationships and strives to lead others to engage and invest in the lives of those around them. A self-titled free spirit, Paige is an encourager who loves helping parents discover tools for leading their families toward success. She and her husband, Josh, have been home schooling their two children for the past eight years. They now work for My Father’s World, where Paige is a curriculum consultant and speaker. www.mfwbooks.comSusan Vanderlaan
Susan, a home schooling mom for ten years, has four daughters ranging in age from 6 to 23. She and her husband, in addition to raising their daughters, have also been foster parents to ten children over the past several years. She lives in Fort Worth, TX, where she and her husband serve as children’s ministers at their church. She has been traveling and speaking for Accountable Kids since 2007. Sharing her own personal struggles with warmth and humor, Susan loves nothing more than encouraging parents and equipping them with the tools and principles that have guided her own home schooling journey. www.accountablekids.comRosie Watson
Rosie Watson is a home school mother of three grown children and has been teaching for over 25 years. As a featured convention speaker and author, Rosie brings home schoolers a wealth of knowledge and experience and a powerful message of inspiration. She is the founder and director of the Center for Home Education in northeast Fort Worth and a representative of Total Language Plus. Rosie is a licensed facilitator for the Career Coaching for Students workshops, which provide home school students with the tools they need to discover their God-given purpose. Rosie is also the author of the writing program, The Wonder of Words. www.centerforhomeeducation.comJim Weiss
Jim Weiss has been a storyteller for over 30 years. Raised by parents who valued literature and history, and entertained by 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. After graduating from college, Jim entered the field of sales and marketing, but by age forty realized he would never find it fulfilling. A career change was needed and it is no surprise that he returned to his first love ... storytelling. In 1989 he and wife Randy founded Greathall Productions and have thus far produced over 45 storytelling recordings from classical literature, history and G.A. Henty. This year they are celebrating 24th anniversary year of Greathall Productions. Married 37 years, Randy and Jim reside in Charlottesville, Virginia and are the proud parents of their married daughter and son-in-law. www.greathall.com
Ashley Wiggers and Debbie Strayer
The mother-daughter team of Debbie Strayer and Ashley (Strayer) Wiggers have been encouraging home schoolers for many years. Debbie’s background as an educator, author and speaker paved the way for this unique ministry. A longtime home schooling family, they began sharing their story while Ashley was still in high school and continue now as Ashley has become a successful athlete, coach, author, and most importantly, wife to husband Alex. Debbie and Ashley bring a message of educational expertise as well as the encouraging example of cohesiveness and team-building as a family. Not only do their topics touch the hearts of listeners, but also reveal the closeness of relationship God can build through the years of home schooling. www.geomatters.com