Speakers for Family Expo 2008
KAT ALEXANDER, SHANNON LaBOUNTY & PIA WILLIAMS
Kat, Shannon & Pia have 4 children between them, all of
whom are homeschooled creatively. Several years ago, they
discovered that their children shared a love of Harry Potter.
Initially, they began "fun schooling" the kids with Harry
Potter over the summer with just a few activities from the
books. It was quickly discovered that they thrived in the
environment and were learning more than expected. “Hogwarts
Homeschooling” was born. Pia & Kat are the co-founders
of www.HomeSchoolLA.org
PAMELA ATKINSON
Pamela Atkinson is a painter with artwork in numerous public
and private collections. For the last 15 years she has been
helping students make and appreciate art. At the Riverside Art
Museum she is in charge of all programs that have to do with
children and youth. www.riversideartmuseum.org
CYNDI BARNETT, Ph.D
Cyndi Barnett is San Bernardino County's 4-H Youth Development
Advisor, and is involved in curriculum development, program
planning and evaluation aimed directly at youth development.
MICHELLE BARONE, M.A., M.F.T.
Michelle Barone has been working with families and children
for 30 years, and is a licensed marriage and family therapist,
practicing in the Los Angeles area. She's also a longtime
homeschooler, which is really helpful for the homeschoolers
who seek her services.
www.michellebarone.com
DALE BARTLETT
"I believe that with the proper planning and knowing the right travel secrets, any family could travel anywhere in the world for
less than it costs to go camping, definitely much less than going to Disneyland." This kind of travel can also be used as you incorporate
your travels with homeschooling. It is amazing how the history comes to life as you walk in the footsteps of those great men and women in
history. To actually see what they saw, to feel the sites first hand, will provide a greater love of their lives and the great history they
left us than you ever thought possible. Come join his discussion and learn how your family can travel the world.
The Bartlett’s make their home in the Northern Mountains of Utah with their four children.
www.havekids-willtravel.com
MAUREEN BENTLEY
Maureen Bentley has home educated 3 children beginning in 1997 and serves on the advisory team of her local parent program in Washington State. Prior to that she fostered and tutored neglected children, quickly determining their needs and preparing them for the future. She has continued to home school through personal injury, house damage and extensive repairs, and child hospitalizations. She has not accepted the academic limitations of her children's diagnoses. Her children have exceeded those expectations and continue to achieve.
CARLITA BOYLES
Carlita Boyles is a former public school teacher who has chosen
to homeschool her three children. She is the author of a new
homeschool math curriculum, Math on the Level, which allows
parents to teach their children through daily activities instead
of textbooks. Carlita has a passion for helping parents confidently
teach children in the way that the children learn best, and
her talks are focused on equipping parents to be better teachers.
www.mathonthelevel.com
BARBARA CARLSON
Barbara Carlson is a homeschooling mom whose kids are now
grown and in college. She is a former CHN Trustee and also
served as CHN's editor for many years. She remains active
on homeschooling elists, sharing her wisdom, including information
about getting financial aid for college.
COLLEEN CATO
Colleen Cato has four children and two grandchildren, and
has been homeschooling for 12 years. She has a close knit
family, and doing things together as a family is a top priority
for her. She often mentors parents, encouraging them in their
role as homeschooling parent.
JAMES CHAPMAN
James Chapman is the dad to six special needs children. He recently took an early retirement to stay home to help homeschool and has learned as
much from the children as they have learned from him. He is in the process of creating a business to further help families of special needs children.
LAURA CHAPMAN
Laura Chapman is the mother of 6 special needs children. She
has been successfully homeschooling for over 7 years, through
crisis and achievements. Her children's special needs are
wide ranging including learning disabilities, neurological
disorders, severe medical problems and physical impairments.
Two have been identified as gifted and three are considered
developmentally delayed, leaving her with a wide range of
experience. Laura is one of CHN's special needs local contacts
and can be reached at: dustydon@surewest.net
TOM CLARK
Tom Clark is a life-long teacher of mathematics and science
with more than 30 years of classroom and tutoring experience
at all levels, from elementary through adult. He is convinced
that everyone has the ability to understand mathematics, and
he enjoys helping homeschooling parents become more effective
instructors. During the last thirteen years, he has focused
on the development of multimedia programs that challenge traditional
methods of instruction. Seven years ago, he founded VideoText
Interactive, a company that specializes in bringing the textbook
to life through technology. This will be Tom's first time
attending the Expo; his brother Steve spoke at the Expo last
year. www.videotext.com
OLIVER DeMILLE
Oliver DeMille is the founder and president of George Wythe
College, and the author of A Thomas Jefferson Education
and the newly released book Leadership Education. He
has written and spoken extensively about the traditional education
system versus the intense mentored-classical experience, and
is well known for encouraging homeschoolers to study the classics,
and get their children off the conveyor belt education that
public schools offer. Oliver and his wife Rachel have eight
homeschooled children. www.gwc.edu/
CHRISTINA DeSANTO
Christina DeSanto is a nationally known teacher who specializes in innovative teaching practices. She currently teaches 7th grade in Oceanside USD
and works with teachers as an Adjunct Professor with University of Phoenix. People rave about her high energy and enthusiastic teaching style and
invite her back over and over again for her inspirational and motivational presentations. www.rocknresources.com
CATHERINE DROWN
Catherine Drown is a homeschooling mom of 4 who has taught
Latin to large and small groups for the past 12 years. She's
written the kid-friendly, parent-friendly BigBook of LivelyLatin
to help students stay motivated and have fun while systematically
learning the ancient language.
www.livelylatin.com Where the ancient language comes
alive!
MARIA EGBERT
Maria Egbert is a long time homeschooler of 4 boys. She's
an active CHN volunteer, having served as a local contact,
and CHN trustee. She's an enthusiastic learner who enjoys
the opportunities of homeschooling, and she's a terrific resource
for those who are just starting to homeschool!
SCOTT FARRELL
Scott Farrell is the director of the Chivalry Today Educational
Program. Scott's approach to historical education begins when
he walks into a classroom dressed in a full suit of medieval
knight's armor! He is an author, educator and actor - and
in 2005, Scott was chosen to play the role of King Arthur
in a revival of the Broadway musical "Camelot" at the Poway
Center for the Performing Arts. His popular presentations,
all focusing on aspects of chivalry in history and modern
living, have been booked at schools, youth groups and libraries
throughout Southern California. Learn more about his presentations
at the Chivalry Today website: www.ChivalryToday.com
CAROLYN and MARTIN FORTE
Martin and Carolyn Forte were homeschooling pioneers! They successfully homeschooled their two adult daughters, and have counseled countless
families in homeschooling over the years. They are the owners of Excellence in Education Resource Center and EIE Academy, a private ISP in Monrovia.
www.excellenceineducation.com
CORIN BARSILY GOODWIN
Corin Barsily Goodwin, Director of Gifted Homeschoolers Forum,
homeschools her two highly gifted, twice-exceptional children.
Before having children, she worked in public policy and spent
several years in library and archival positions. She previously
served as HSC's Gifted/Special Needs Advisor.
www.giftedhomeschoolers.org
RON GOULD
Ron Gould is a multi-specialist creative director, project
leader, mentoring manager, writer, and seeker of connections
and integration. He has been creating marketing messages across
all media for many years. With his new suite of Whole Head
companies, Ron is leading his virtual agency, consulting with
other companies on growth and integration, and sharing his
knowledge of balanced creative thinking through seminars and
classes. Helping others uncover the infinite possibilities
of creativity is Ron's passion. Having a great time doing
this by not taking it all too seriously is his goal. www.wholeinmyhead.com
VAL GRAY
Val Gray is an educational psychologist and special educator
who has been working with gifted and talented students and
students with special learning needs for over 25 years. She
lives in Australia, where she works with children from 4-18
years old. Val and her husband homeschooled their three children
for part of their education, while they were living on a farm
in rural Australia. www.precisionacademics.com.au
DR. STEPHEN GUFFANTI
Stephen Guffanti, M.D., brings a unique background and tremendous
insight to his talks—he is a medical doctor, teacher, tutor,
author, and homeschooler! He is also dyslexic and is a kinesthetic
learner, and so he has both personal and professional experience
that has helped him create educational plans that meet the
needs of all children. www.rocketphonics.com
SUNDAY HEPPNER
 For
over twenty years, Sunday Heppner has proven the impossible
is possible: all children can learn! She graduated
from the University of Long Beach with a major in music and
received her teaching credential. As a gifted elementary teacher,
mentor, composer, music director, counselor, and motivational
speaker, she has brought much joy and knowledge to children,
teachers, and parents. She is the author of two reinforcement
books with DVDs, Standard
Based Curriculum Revitalized (English Language Arts and
Mathematics) which are filled with fun creative lessons which
help parents teach the state standards to children ages 5
– 9, or to assess how a child is doing with regard to
the state standards. She has recently begun looking into using
her curriculum with autistic children, and has been meeting
with parents to find out how to meet their needs. www.sbcrevitalized.com
KIM KAUTZER
Kim Kautzer, veteran homeschooler and author, loves to help
parents feel more confident about teaching writing. She is
the co-author of WriteShop: An Incremental Writing Program,
honored as one of Cathy Duffy's 100 Top Picks for Homeschool
Curriculum. Kim and her husband Jim have graduated all three
of their children. The Kautzers make their home in Southern
California, where they enjoy their empty nest and their six
amazing grandchildren. www.writeshop.com
ANNETTE KEENBERG
An ex-public school substitute teacher (she was the 'cool'
one), Annette Keenberg has been educating her own son at home
since 1999. She teaches classes for both kids and adults,
ranging from introductory homeschooling classes to comparative
zoology to electronics. She and her son travel around California,
Arizona, Nevada, New Mexico, Utah and Colorado, spending about
two weeks each month outside their home area of Los Angeles,
meeting other homeschoolers. classes.geekpub.net
KATHLEEN COTTER LAWLER
Kathleen Cotter Lawler is the daughter of Dr. Joan A. Cotter, author and creator of the Activities for Learning RightStart Mathematic program.
She was one of the first children to grow up under the Activities for Learning principles. Kathleen has a degree in Home Economics from the
University of Minnesota and double Masters Degrees from the University of Mary in Bismarck, North Dakota. Kathleen is the mother of four children
ages 12 to 17 and lives on a fourth-generation ranch in North Dakota. www.rightstartmath.com
ARIELLA LEEDER
Ariella Leeder is the Affiliate Director for the California
Future Problem Solving Program. She has been involved as an
FPS coach for 8 years and participated in the program as an
elementary school student in Michigan. In addition to being
the Affiliate Director, she is also a teacher in the Del Mar
Union School District. She teaches gifted and talented education,
coordinates school-wide competitions and teaches drama classes
to students grades K-6.www.cafpsp.org
JODI MALONE
Jodi Malone is a classically trained trumpet player with an incredible love of music, and a gift for sharing that love with others! She has performed,
recorded, and published music books. She's also a homeschooling mom.
www.themusicalmom.org
LOREN MAVROMATI
 Loren Mavromati is a long time unschooler with children spanning
from second grade to college. She is active in the South Bay
Homeschool Network, and volunteers for CHN in many capacities,
including serving as CHN's president, as well as local contact
and media representative.
BECKY MAXWELL
Becky Maxwell is a long time homeschooler of four children.
Her youngest will be graduating at Expo 2008. She currently
serves as CHN's treasurer, is a CHN local contact and she
also chairs CHN's Events Committee that is known for great
campouts! Her hobbies include knitting and crocheting, and
crafts of many kinds. As her kids get older, she's enjoying
the increased time to devote to these activities.
MAGGIE McCORMICK
Maggie McCormick works for Hands of a Child as the Coordinator
for HOAC Online CoOps and as the Customer Service Rep.
www.HandsofaChild.com. Maggie has been homeschooling for
over six years and was first introduced to Lapbooking in the
summer of 2003. Maggie is married to her best friend Dave.
As their son has Aspergers/ADHD/ODD, they are active in the
Special Needs Homeschooling area. You can visit Maggie at
www.maggiemccormick.com
BILL MOSELEY
Bill Moseley is a homeschooling father of five children, a
professor of Computer Science at Bakersfield College, and
faculty member in Pepperdine University's Master's in Educational
Technology program. The Moseley family enjoys living, learning
and playing together in a rich learning environment where
everything (technical and not-so-technical) is fair game.
Computers, games, and invention are an almost daily part of
their learning together. www.bmoseley.com
KIM NANCARROW
Kim Nancarrow homeschools her three children. She is a photographer,
and the owner of Nancarrow Photography. www.nancarrowphotography.com
SUSAN NOWICKE
Susan Nowicke is a busy homeschooling mom of 5 children ranging
in age from 10 to 17 years. She’s also a herpetoculturist,
a community volunteer, an animal rescuer, and the owner of
a successful organic food company www.Reptigreens.com
that caters to pets. Susan’s children are learning by living
and are not limited by the confines of a traditional school
based education.
DEBBIE OLDAR
Debbie Oldar is the co-author of WriteShop: An Incremental
Writing Program, Prior to homeschooling her two children for
18 years, she taught kindergarten for six years. Even though
she received a master's degree in education, she did not feel
prepared to teach her children to write, especially her seventh
grade son who struggled with getting his thoughts on paper.
As a result, WriteShop, one of Cathy Duffy's 100 Top Picks
for Homeschool Curriculum, was born. Now that her children
are grown, she enjoys sharing her journey and encouraging
parents that they too can teach their children to write. She
and her husband reside in Southern California. www.writeshop.com
MICHELLE PEDRAZA
Michelle is a homeschooling mom with a long term interest
in composting. She maintains a large compost pile in her backyard,
and says she’s not so much an expert, but proof that
anyone can compost!
RUTH PELL
Ruth Pell homeschools her four children, including twin girls
who will be graduating at Expo 2008. Ruth is well known by
homeschoolers throughout California as the friendly voice
who answers when someone calls CHN's 800#. Ruth also serves
as Local Contact Chair, does layout for both the Expo program
and the quarterly CHNews, and has just begun a two year term
as an elected CHN trustee.
COLLETTE PERRY
Collette Perry has been involved with crafts since she was
a small child. A homeschooling mom of three sons, she teaches
knitting and crocheting to anyone who wants to learn! She
spins and dyes yarn, and sells her crafts at her online business.
www.epicurus.etsy.com
MARY GAY PONSONBY
Mary Gay Ponsonby is certified as a “Water Fitness Instructor”
and “Aquatic Safety Assistant” and she holds a “Healthcare
Provider CPR and AED” certificate. She currently teaches at
the Torrance YMCA. She homeschools her two youngest children
in the South Bay.
IRENE PRITSKER
Irene Pritsker is a proud and active home schooling mom of
two boys. She is the founder of GO GETTERS, an organization
committed to helping parents inspire their children to fulfill
their purpose in life through taking on the opportunities
and challenges that will bring them ultimate success! She
has taught children in school settings and has given talks
on various topics including: parenting for the first time,
teens and self-confidence, personal management and goal setting,
becoming the best you can be, and achieving success.
GARY REES
Gary Rees grew up in England, and studied geography in college. He taught community college geography and geology for 22 years, and has led adventure trips around the world.
http://www.maplink.com/
BONNIE AND BILL RENNIE
Bonnie Rennie is a certified sign language interpreter and
co-owner, along with her husband Bill, of the Sign Language
Factory located in Anaheim, CA. They teach American Sign Language
workshops and host "Silent Weekends" throughout the year.
She and Bill (who was born deaf) have been married for 16
years and they have two children, Rachel & Franklin, who also
sign. Visit their website at signlanguagefactory.net
DONNA SCHROKOSCH
Donna Schrokosch, is the founder and chair of the non-profit
organization Hawthorne Center for Innovation, located in the
Fontana area of the Inland Empire. The Center concentrates
on generating innovation in the sciences and humanities and
is currently supporting several technologies under development
in the areas of sensor tech, robotics, computer design, clean
energy, and 3D web development. Her homeschooled children
are now grown. www.hawcenter.org
SHIRLEY SOLIS
Shirley Solis is the mother of 5 children. She and her husband
Gus live in Florida for half the year, and the other half
is spent traveling around the country in their motor home.
She's an enthusiastic and encouraging homeschooling mom who
will touch hearts in her sessions as well as at her Lifetime
Books and Gifts booth. www.lifetimebooksandgifts.com
TAMMY TAKAHASHI
Tammy Takahashi is the author of Deschooling Gently: A Step
by Step Guide to Fearless Homeschooling. (huntpress.com)
Tammy writes extensively about homeschooling and educational
choice, both on the internet and in print magazines. She is
a volunteer for both CHN and HSC. You can find out more about
her at her educational blog: Just Enough, and Nothing More:
justenough.wordpress.com
KATHY TALEVICH
Kathy Talevich is a lifelong musician who earned a Master's
in music from U.S.C. She has taught private lessons, group
flute classes, recorder class, music theory class and public
school. She also homeschools her own four children. She is
the owner/director of Childlight Music. Kathy established
Childlight Music, based in Fontana, in order to provide quality
musical experiences for children to enjoy with their families,
while providing a foundation for future learning in all areas
of development. childlightmusic.kindermusik.net
CHRISTINE TAYLOR
Christine Taylor successfully combines homeschooling with
full-time work from home. Christine is an experienced and
energetic speaker who has trained job seekers in entrepreneurship
and telecommuting, and who has personally done both types
of work from home. A single mom, she firmly believes that
if you are determined to work from home and homeschool –you
can!
KAREN TAYLOR
Karen Taylor and her husband homeschool their youngest child,
who is now 17, and has never attended school. She founded
High Desert
Homeschoolers 12 years ago, and soon after that began
volunteering for CHN. A speaker, writer, and activist, she
is passionate about helping parents know about their option
to homeschool, and she loves learning something new every
day! Karen is the editor of The
California Homeschool Guide, a book widely recommended
as a "must read" for beginning homeschoolers. She
is a CHN trustee, serves on the legal rights committee, and
was CHN's representative during the state group discussions
regarding this year's legal case. This year will be her 6th
year coordinating the CHN Family Expo.
AMY SCHECHTER VAHID and FRANK VAHID
Amy Schechter Vahid and Frank Vahid are authors of the book
Homeschooling: A Path Rediscovered for Socialization,
Education, and Family. They have three
children and have homeschooled since 1994. Amy has a California
teacher credential and has worked as an Education Specialist,
overseeing the work of homeschool students for a California
charter school, specializing in college-bound high-school
issues. Frank is a Professor of Computer Science and Engineering
at the University of California, Riverside, and Associate
Director of the CECS center at UC Irvine. He has received
national attention for having architected the first major
homeschool admissions program at any California university.
ANGELA WARD
Angela Ward has immersed herself in Shakespeare's works with
great energy, and this has carried on all around in her life.
She has performed in New York and London. She currently teaches
Shakespeare at her local private high school and has produced
the Shakespeare plays, A Comedy of Errors and Macbeth, with
homeschool students ages 9 - 17.
JIM WEISS
Jim Weiss is an extraordinary award winning storyteller, and
his stories and workshops will be enjoyed by children and
adults alike. He has won over 75 national awards, and will
be traveling from his home in Virginia to spend the weekend
with Expo attendees. With a focus on classical literature,
history, and science, Jim has created more than 35 recordings
on CD and audiotape and won the hearts (and ears) of listeners
throughout the country. This will be his third year at The
Expo! www.greathall.com
PIA WILLIAMS
Pia Williams grew up in the Los Angeles area and homeschools
one daughter. She always knew the learning experience could
be more fun and satisfying than the school experiences she
had. Homeschooling has allowed her the freedom to make school
fun and interesting by using everything at her disposal –
including Disneyland. Pia is a local contact for CHN and is
a co-founder of www.HomeSchoolLA.org
DAVID WOLF, B.Sc., MCP, MCSA, MCSE
David Wolf has been a successful home-based entrepreneur in
a number of different fields for the last 15 years. David
received his undergraduate degree in Psychology and attended
law school, and he lives with his wife and their two homeschooled
children in Corona, California, where he runs three home-based
businesses at home: www.CalameraSystems.com
, www.WolfSnap.com
, and www.WolfSnapDomains.com
.
MELISSA ZAWROTNY
Melissa Zawrotny homeschools her two young children, ages
8 and 4, and is a very active CHN volunteer. She is a member
of the CHN Legal Rights Team, specializing in making those
tough phone calls to school districts to resolve problems!
|
