Jesus declared, “I am the Light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness but will have the light of life” (John 8:12). As followers of Jesus, He has called us to let our light shine! This begins by living for Christ in the context of our family relationships. God wants to use our struggling, ordinary Christian families to impact future generations and shine for Him!

Parents considering homeschooling often worry about whether or not their children will turn out “normal”. They wonder if their children will emerge from homeschool truly prepared for success in life, or if they’ll emerge socially inept and uneducated. In this session, Daniel Craig, a homeschool graduate, will share why he is glad he was homeschooled, and why your children will be too. Based on both his personal experience, and the unchanging truths of God’s word, Daniel will help you understand what homeschool “success” really is, where it comes from, and the real reason it matters.

It’s easy to get burned out, tired and overwhelmed as the years pass, but the reasons we are homeschooling become even more important as our children grow up. How can we press on through the challenges of hormones, struggles with learning, and fear of the future and do what we know is right? This funny, hopeful, and encouraging session looks at the importance of finishing what you’ve started and making it all the way to graduation.

The way we are parenting today impacts our grandchildren and great-grandchildren yet to be born. In this session, Dr. Rienow will share key Scriptures, from both the Old and New Testament, which will equip you not only to raise your children for the glory of God but to also accelerate faithfulness in the future generations of your family.

We may hope our kids will be really smart, but what do you do when they are? It can be intimidating to think about meeting the needs of a kid who’s blowing the curve, racing ahead, and seems to need more. Can you really meet their needs, or would they be better off with professionals? How can you help them fit in socially? What about the future? Should they graduate early or on time? Hal & Melanie went through both innovative and traditional gifted programs in school and after parenting and homeschooling several precocious children, they have a lot to say about challenging these kids academically, helping them to thrive socially, answering their spiritual questions, and knowing when to push them ahead and when to broaden out their education instead. Learn how to meet the needs of your bright child and enjoy doing it!

Where Do I Begin? A Workshop for New and Prospective Homeschoolers – Nancy Bjorkman Considering homeschooling? Not sure where to begin? This workshop will define realistic and foundational goals for homeschooling that will get new families off to a solid start. We’ll cover some common roadblocks and misconceptions about “what school should look like”, state law, and many practical tips for success. There will be a time for interaction and questions.

Did you know that vision problems can masquerade as learning struggles? From skipped words while reading to trouble paying attention, visual challenges can quietly get in the way of your child’s success — and they’re more common than you might think. In this eye-opening (pun intended!) session, we’ll uncover how vision — beyond just seeing clearly —impacts your child’s ability to read, write, focus, and thrive academically. We’ll talk about the visual skills that support learning, what signs to watch for, and how to tell the difference between a vision issue and a learning difference. This workshop will equip you with practical tips, simple at home checks, and guidance on when to seek help. You’ll walk away with fresh insight and confidence to support your child’s visual and learning development. What you’ll learn: • The “hidden” visual skills essential for learning (it’s more than 20/20!) • How vision problems can mimic ADHD, dyslexia, or reading issues • Easy ways to spot visual red flags at home • Action steps: what to try, what to tweak, and when to get help

This workshop will provide a basic overview of the science behind healthy brain development, the effects of screens on the developing brain, symptoms of screen overuse & ScreenStrong solutions to prevent and reverse the effects of addictive screen habits. Becoming ScreenStrong is the fastest way to resolve screen conflicts and build strong families.

This session addresses the goal of education from a Christian perspective and answers the question, “What is the end game in homeschooling?”

You want to build strong relationships with your kids and make a positive spiritual impact in their lives. But sometimes it feels like the obstacles are overwhelming: crammed schedules, relational conflict, insecurity, and exhaustion. Through this session with Dr. Rob Rienow you will be encouraged in your parenting mission and come away with a Bible-driven game plan to overcome obstacles in your spiritual leadership at home.

This session covers everything you need to know about your state’s homeschool law so you can homeschool with confidence. It includes a thorough presentation of the basics with plenty of time for questions.

When a child cannot read fluently and effortlessly, learning becomes difficult, frustrating, and even discouraging. Many parents of struggling readers are told that dyslexia and reading difficulties are issues they must work around and struggle with for the rest of their lives. The good news is that this is not true; real help is available. There is hope for treating the root causes of reading difficulties and disabilities. You will gain an understanding of how to help your child overcome all types of reading difficulties through the latest research in neuroscience. We’ll explain interventions that address the underlying causes, allowing for dyslexia to be overcome rather than just teaching them to read and work with their dyslexia.

Is it possible to have well-educated kids without drowning in a sea of drudgery? All six of Hal & Melanie’s homeschool graduates were offered academic scholarships to great colleges, even though (once Melanie got her feet under her) they’ve been very relaxed homeschoolers. Learn the difference between learning and schooling—hear what’s important that you get done and what’s not! This workshop will lift your burdens and free you up to enjoy these years with your children and prepare them well for their future.

Every family needs forgiveness because every family is filled with broken people. In this message, Dr. Rienow shares essential principles in the Bible toward equipping your family with a fresh vision for grace, mercy and forgiveness – for hurts old and new.

When our oldest was eight, we thought we were pretty great homeschool parents. Then he hit nine or ten and the wheels fell off his educational train! Another child did pretty well until he was eleven, then all-of-a-sudden he couldn’t focus at all or remember things he’d learned last week. Others didn’t struggle until twelve or thirteen, but there seems to be something that makes middle school just plain hard, for nearly everyone. How do you live through it? Is it possible to make the middle school years great? Join Hal & Melanie for doable ideas and real hope for getting through the challenging tween/preteen years and laying a foundation to make high school even better.

This engaging workshop will review several different teaching approaches found in homeschooling, and then help attendees identify resources and curricula to fit their family’s particular style. Just getting started in homeschooling? Needing to refocus and redefine what homeschooling could look like for your family? Come benefit from Nancy’s over 30 years of experience and enjoy her dynamic style.

The focus of most support for ADHD is based on symptom management. The good news is that there are effective ways to treat the causes of ADHD! Join us to learn everything you need to know about ADHD. We’ll touch on symptoms and accurate diagnosis and then dive into research-based treatments options that work. Finally, we’ll share learning strategies for the ADHD brain that you can implement as parent and teacher. Participants will: • Understand the root causes of ADHD along with symptoms and diagnosis • Explore non-medication treatments that work, including nutritional interventions • Learn strategies to help your student with ADHD navigate learning in any environment

What does it mean to be an entrepreneur? Is entrepreneurialism just for a select few, or is it something that even young people should pursue? Regardless of who you are, or where you work, the Word of God gives us a number of fundamental keys to personal growth and true success in life. In scripture, we are taught that the basics of entrepreneurialism – responsibility, initiative and ownership – are important, not just for business owners, but also for young people who are just beginning to make their way in life. Now, you too will be challenged to think of yourself as an entrepreneur. In this session, you will learn 5 powerful, yet practical keys to developing as an entrepreneur. You will gain an understanding of why they are essential and how you can implement them.

Have you ever had a war break out in the middle of history or read aloud to a child sitting upside down? You may be teaching a boy! Research shows that boys and girls learn differently. Understanding the differences can help to preserve the love of learning and the academic confidence of our sons: the early birds, the late bloomers, and the boys who would really just rather not. Understanding what they need at different ages – before school, as young learners, in the middle school years, and in high school can make us better homeschool parents and make them better students. Come and hear from parents who’ve homeschooled six boys from the beginning and graduated four so far, the award-winning authors of Raising Real Men, as they share solid research and practical advice on how to turn wiggle worms into scholars – and enjoy doing it!

You can enhance the impact of any curriculum through differentiated instruction. These simple techniques geared for grades 7-12 empower parents with creative methods to facilitate student’s processing and retention of new information. Responding to readiness, interest, and learning style, parents and students alike will be equipped with critical tools to facilitate learning success.

Join Sonia Strueby, a pediatric speech-language pathologist specializing in dyslexia, for a dynamic presentation on fun and functional ways to teach children to read. Sonia will share creative strategies to navigate challenging moments when it feels like your child is stuck, plateaued, or losing momentum in their reading journey. This session is designed to equip parents with valuable tips and tools to transform the homeschooling experience, turning it into an engaging, positive, and rewarding process for both parent and child.

Disorganization, poor time management, and difficulty shifting gears are just a few symptoms of poor executive functioning. Executive Function skills are crucial throughout all stages of life. They enable us to develop leadership, time management, and prioritization skills, follow multi-step instructions, think critically, and adapt to change. In this session, we’ll build a solid understanding of executive functions and cover how you can help your child develop these essential skills! Participants will learn: • What executive functioning is and why it matters • Root causes for executive function weaknesses and disorders • Strategies and systems to improve executive functions in your classroom • Treatments for improving executive function

“Joy to the world the Lord has come” is a wonderful thing to sing at Christmastime when everything can seem to be joyous. But does this powerful truth set the tone of your home? Is your family characterized by the Gospel-powered joy that flows wherever the Kingdom of God has taken root? If you think you could use a little more joy in your home (like we all can!), take heart: “He comes to make his blessing flow, far as the curse is found”! How does He do that? Come and hear seven habits of joy-filled families that crank the faucet of “joy in the Holy Spirit” wide open!

Join us for an insightful presentation on classical Christian education, where we'll explore the rich tradition of teaching that integrates rigorous academics with a Christ-centered approach to the curriculum. This session will highlight the importance of acquiring knowledge and learning skills as foundational tools for nurturing a love of learning and developing wisdom and virtue in your children. We’ll discuss practical strategies for incorporating classical methods into your home, while emphasizing the importance of cultivating virtue and character in the educational journey. Whether you’re new to classical education or seeking to deepen your approach, this talk will equip and encourage you in your homeschooling mission.

Participate in a workshop presented by Sonia Strueby, a pediatric speech-language pathologist, to learn how to help your child use the power of visualization to boost memory, comprehension, and study skills. This workshop shows homeschool parents how guiding students to create mental images can dramatically improve their ability to recall story details, follow directions, spell irregular words, memorize math facts, and solve word problems. Visualization is a simple but essential tool that strengthens thinking, learning, and retention—especially for students who need more support with focus or processing.

Homeschooling through high school might seem intimidating but be encouraged! These can be the most enjoyable and influential years you have with your teens. This workshop takes the guess work out of what academics you should build into your 7-12th grade plan and helps you explore electives and activities that can customize your students' high school years to meet their graduation goals.

Unlock the wisdom to manage your finances with this workshop tailored to teens – parents are encouraged to attend with their teens. In this fun, hands-on workshop you will better understand Biblical stewardship, the importance of earning interest, and practical tips for saving money. Learn how to differentiate between needs and wants, create a spending plan, and prioritize your financial goals. Discover the power of multiplying money and the rules for using credit cards responsibly. Embrace a faith-based approach to managing your finances, with principles rooted in biblical teachings. Join us on this journey to financial freedom and take control of your financial future today!

Learn why family discipleship is important and how to easily incorporate role-play into your family Bible time to engage your whole family dramatically. Part testimony and part interactive presentation, Benjamin will walk participants through a creative yet simple process of role playing the scriptures using just their Bibles. Participants leave encouraged and prepared to be a “Director Dad!”

People complain all the time that their children are lazy and unmotivated, but only 28% of American families give their children any chores at all. At all. We teach our children right from wrong, we teach our children to read and write but forget to teach them how to work. God gave us no choice. With eight bedrest pregnancies and then a full-time ministry and business, we had to get the kids on board or drown. Come get practical strategies for teaching your children to be diligent – to get their schoolwork done, to do chores, to take initiative, and to be confident in their abilities – at all ages. Help your kids to get out of the wagon and start pulling it, cheerfully. Really, you can do it!

Do you have a philosophy of education? Yes, whether you realize it or not, you do. But what is it? And do your methods line up with your philosophy? We will take a look at Charlotte Mason’s philosophy of education and how her methods and practices all jive together.

What should “school” look like for early learners? What things are developmentally appropriate for the younger ages? How do we keep our “Littles” appropriately occupied while homeschooling their siblings? This fun and informative session will provide a plethora of ideas specifically geared to engage your pre- and elementary-aged children. Nancy will share resources, fun games, toddler tips, and easy activities, all designed to help parents think outside the box when it comes to “doing school.”

Transcripts are not just for college – every student needs one. How should you begin? What should you include? Understand the essentials of record keeping, the important records to keep, how to grade, evaluate credits, and prepare a professional looking high school transcript,

Have you always wanted to improve your child’s ability to follow multi-step instructions, read more fluently, or grasp those tricky math word problems? Have you wondered if there are things you can do as the teacher to improve your child’s progress? The field of neuroscience has provided us an immense amount of information on how the brain learns offering a roadmap on how to teach with brain function to optimize learning. Join us to take away easy-to-implement actionable steps that are quick, affordable, and can make a huge impact in your homeschool classroom. .

Many parents begin the Homeschool Journey motivated by a strong desire to nurture deep and enduring relationships with their children. Over time, they realize that winning and keeping their children’s hearts requires something more than simply schooling them at home…especially during the teenage years. But how do you keep your child’s heart without controlling it? How do you pass on your deepest convictions while at the same time avoiding the traps of legalism on the one hand, and permissiveness on the other? How do you foster healthy communication with your older children, maintaining the proper balance of love and respect?

Does your marriage affect your kids? You bet. It affects them profoundly. It impacts their security, their identity, and their sense of worth. Beyond that, our marriage toolkit will be the one our kids reach for in their own marriages. Come take a look at your own marriage toolbox, pick up a few new tools, and learn five ways to tune up your marriage to make it even better for you and your children. Give them a legacy that will help them build a good marriage.

Helping your homeschool student navigate high school doesn’t have to be overwhelming! This workshop will introduce you to key resources—local, statewide, and virtual—that can support your teen’s academic and career journey. We’ll break down opportunities by grade level, from career exploration in freshman year to internships, dual enrollment, and scholarships for upperclassmen. Whether you're looking for hands-on experiences, flexible learning options, or statewide initiatives, you'll leave with a clear roadmap to help your teen take their next steps with confidence.

Ever wonder why your child mimics your tone—or your sighs—before you even realize you’re doing it? Welcome to the world of the listening brain—where words, emotions, and even facial expressions are absorbed like sponges. In this interactive and energizing session, we’ll dive into the fascinating neuroscience behind how children learn through both what they hear and what they see. You’ll discover: • How the brain processes positive vs. negative language—and why it matters • What happens in the brain when kids observe and imitate adult behavior • The role of mirror neurons, the amygdala, and the prefrontal cortex in learning and emotional safety • How everyday moments of language and tone can literally shape your child’s brain • Simple ways to reframe your language for better focus, connection, and cooperation Through hands-on brain demos, storytelling, and real homeschool-life examples, you’ll leave with practical strategies to use the power of presence and communication—all backed by brain science. Expect laughter, lightbulbs, and some “Wait… my brain does that too?” moments. Perfect for parents who want to harness the full potential of their children’s incredible listening minds.

Learn about legislative changes that have occurred in 2025 and about legislative changes coming down the road. Also learn about Jeremy's role as the Homeschool Iowa lobbyist and why that role is important to homeschool families.

God calls fathers to build “heart connected” relationships with their kids, in order to help them build “heart connected” relationships with God. But fathers face unique spiritual attacks and discouragement! Discover key biblical principles to grow in your strength and vision as a dad.

How do you teach a young man to keep his way pure when the red-light district is riding around in his shirt pocket – or his friend’s? How can you help a boy think about the future when all he wants to do is game all day? Media addiction and porn are derailing young men at a rate that is hard to even believe. Learn how to teach your sons a healthy, Biblical attitude toward entertainment and sexuality. Prepare them to make it a matter of honor to practice self-control, do what’s right, and have healthy relationships with girls. Get them in the fight because there are no bystanders in this battle, and we don’t want our sons to lose. The stakes are too high.

A group of adults embittered by their homeschool experience, and friends who sympathize with them, have coalesced into the most serious threat to homeschool freedom nationwide in decades. They are smart, articulate, and media savvy. If you believe it’s your job to rear and educate your kids, they have a name for you: “parental rights extremist.” Come find out who they are, what they have done, what they are planning on doing, and how to respond to their arguments.

Cut the cost of college tuition in half! This popular workshop will share how to accelerate the first two years of college by earning credit for subjects your student may already be studying in high school. The College Board’s College Level Examination Program (CLEP) along with Prometric’s DSST program are nationally recognized credit-by-exam programs that offer over 70 different exams, allowing students to test out of courses generally taken the first two years of college. Whether your student is gifted, motivated, or looking for purpose, this workshop will help save time and money earning a college degree.

God has a purpose and mission for your marriage! Discover how God can use you to spiritually encourage and connect with your spouse - and experience a growing oneness in Christ. Every married couple needs help and encouragement. A strong marriage helps our children follow Jesus!

This session is a “must hear” for parents and students alike. Everyone recognizes that there are problems with traditional higher education. Yet for all the press, commentary and money spent to fix the problem, far too few people recognize the amazing benefits of one-on-one mentor-driven education. Even as homeschoolers, we often fail to realize that the need for biblical discipleship in education also applies to the college years. Get ready to adopt a new paradigm for “higher education” as Daniel explains how your student can launch into life NOW, with clear vision, through powerful mentoring relationships and real-life application.

Homeschooling children with learning difficulties can be challenging for all parents, especially if you also struggle with learning challenges such as dyslexia or ADHD. Many learning disabilities are hereditary, so parents often find themselves teaching children who share their learning difficulties. The great news is that neuroscience has taught us not only how to be better teachers with these issues but also how to change and rewire the brain to overcome learning challenges, regardless of the age of the child or the parent. Come learn about the amazing, malleable brain and how to harness neuroplasticity to help your child learn and reach their full potential. Participants will: • Understand neuroplasticity as the foundation for learning • Realize the critical role cognitive skills play in learning • Recognize symptoms of cognitive weaknesses as the root cause of learning challenges • Receive strategies to use in the classroom to improve learning • Learn ways to harness neuroplasticity to improve cognitive function

We have worked for decades to keep homeschooling as independent as possible from government influence, and for good reasons! But now the idea that the government should fund homeschooling is gaining steam. Several states have already enacted laws, and several others may do it soon. It may be a so-called “education savings account” (which is not a savings account at all!) where government money is put into an account a homeschool family can use. Or it may be a refundable tax credit designed to give many families a “refund” that is greater than the tax they owe. Regardless of the feel-good names attached to these programs, the bitter fact remains that government funding inevitably leads to government strings and the loss of independence. Come to this session to hear an in-depth discussion of these and related issues.

Homeschooling in America is freer from restrictions and more accessible than ever. With so many successes, you’d think that homeschooling would have convinced critics of its place as a proven educational option. However, this year we’ve witnessed yet another wave of persecution aimed at home education. Christian homeschoolers have shown that we are uniquely equipped to serve and lead our culture. As individuals and as a mature institution, we must do what only followers of Christ can do: draw our neighbors to the gospel that offers forgiveness, sustenance, guidance, and reconciliation. We need to champion homeschooling as an enduring institution that continues to shape children’s characters by encouraging and modeling virtue.

As parents, we desire to disciple our kids and help them grow the authentic faith they need to live #NotConsumed by the hard things in life. Join Kim as she shares her journey, as well as ideas and resources for reaching the hearts of our kids as we help them develop a real-life faith that impacts their todays and shapes their tomorrows.

This session covers everything you need to know about Iowa’s homeschool law so you can homeschool with confidence. It includes a thorough presentation of the basics with plenty of time for questions.

Every family has a culture, a way of living, and every family is defined by it. Are your family’s mission and culture breathing life into your days? Being intentional and purposeful is the best way to make sure your mission aligns with your worldview. You’ll leave this session armed with a list of practical ideas and an encouraged heart!

Ginger will share wisdom from her best-selling book, Don’t Make Me Count to Three! There is far more to parenting than getting children to “act” right. We have to get them to “think” right and to be motivated out of a love of virtue rather than a fear of punishment. Ginger quips parents to reach past the outward behavior of their children and address the issues of the heart. Move beyond the frustrations of not knowing how to handle issues of disobedience and into a confident approach to raising your children.

Gain a fresh perspective on how your children’s actions and attitudes help you discover their natural bent, so you can plan strategies that will help them grow into the persons they were created to be. We’ll peel back the layers to reveal pieces of the puzzle that go beyond the usual “auditory, kinesthetic, and visual” discussions. This workshop will provide you with insight into your children on a new level to help you reach and teach them more effectively.

Speaking towards the scripture, “Train up a child in the way he should go…,” Peggy digs into the Bible to show parents how to live up to this standard without losing their focus, or their minds. From the experience of being a parent and a foster-parent of multiple special needs children, Peggy Ployhar has first-hand knowledge of the rigorous demands put on parents who are raising, training, and homeschooling children with special needs. Woven with personal stories, biblical truth, and lots of encouragement, this talk will truly speak to the hearts of parents who want to raise their special needs children as God has called them to do.

Kerry Beck Most homeschoolers continue to offer their children the same type of education they received; they just do it at home. There’s a better way! Kerry reveals how she homeschooled her three kids to give them a love of learning, as well as the tools of learning. Her goal was to train her kids to become leaders of tomorrow. Godly leaders who can think critically and biblically! Godly leaders who will change the world!

– Mark Davis So many teens struggle with "What's Next?" after high school. It's encouraging to know God's will isn't lost. It’s been clearly revealed in His Word. This workshop walks through the New Testament, applying Biblical principles for the next steps in life.

Are you ever embarrassed or shocked by what comes out of your child’s mouth? Based on her newest book, I Can’t Believe You Just Said That, Ginger provides a practical three-step plan to reach beyond the behaviors of tongue-related struggles (such as lying, defying, and manipulating) to address your child’s heart. After all, as Matthew 12:34 tells us, “The mouth speaks what the heart is full of.”

Do your kids “forget” to do their chores? Is their schoolwork just a box that gets sloppily checked off? Do you feel like they’ll never take initiative? If you’re looking for the magic pill to help your kids get off the couch and work hard, this isn’t the session for you. But if you want practical ways to kick laziness to the curb, be sure to join us as we learn how to encourage and nurture our kids to be disciplined and responsible workers.

Homeschooling High School Part 1: – Diana Plorins This workshop will consider opportunities that support your high school student’s interests and abilities. We will also look at options for outsourcing coursework. You will be equipped with the tools you need to develop a four-year plan that is practical and purposeful.

Doubt is the number one enemy of all homeschoolers. So it stands to reason that overcoming doubt is the key to homeschool success. Peggy Ployhar, the CEO of SPED Homeschool, has 18 years’ experience battling doubt in her own homeschooling endeavors. But, instead of letting those doubts creep in and destroy her homeschool, she learned with each battle just how much God’s grace and truth provided strategies for conquering her doubts. This talk is filled with biblical fighting strategies to equip every homeschooling parent to do battle head-on with their own doubts so they can overcome them and homeschool victoriously.

– Jeremy Vos is the Homeschool Iowa Lobbyist - Many states across the nation have opened Educational Savings Account funding to homeschooling families. While Iowa currently limits ESAs to parents using private accredited schools, the possibility of expansion is real. What are the potential effects and possible concerns?

This talk provides an overview of the family economy as the basis for productive households and generational discipleship. We cover the practical steps of involving our spouses and children in work, worship, and wisdom, and how your family can begin creating a new future together today.

What should “school” look like for early learners? What things are developmentally appropriate for the younger ages? How do we keep our “littles” appropriately occupied while homeschooling their siblings? This fun and informative session will provide a plethora of ideas specifically geared to engage your pre- and elementary-age children. Nancy will share resources, fun games, toddler tips, and easy activities, all designed to help parents think outside the box when it comes to “doing school.”

How do you show that your student is prepared for college-level coursework? How do you create a transcript that reflects your student’s aptitude and ability? We will demystify the steps, so you can confidently homeschool through high school.

Discover how to use reading and writing to teach your kids how to think for themselves. Starting with young students, Kerry takes you through from littles to teens, showing how you can develop critical and biblical thinking skills. By the time she addresses the high school ages, you’ll know how to use great, living books and writing to prepare your kids to think for themselves and make wise decisions instead of following the crowd. Plus, you’ll love her ideas on how to incorporate your read-alouds in this process.

Do you find yourself threatening, repeating your instructions, or raising your voice in an attempt to get your children to obey? Do you feel guilty because you know you should be faithfully training and instructing your children in righteousness, but you aren’t sure how? Through personal experience and practical application of Scripture, Ginger encourages and equips parents in the why, when, and how of biblical discipline.

You’ve tried all the things that seem to work for other people yet still can’t find the right homeschool schedule for you. Trust me,-you’re not alone. Figuring out how to teach multiple ages, fold the laundry, and keep the toddlers from writing on the walls with markers can feel overwhelming. Join homeschool veteran of over 20 years and work-at-home mom, as she shares practical ways to wrangle your homeschool schedule for good.

With over 30,000 occupations currently in existence, students face a bewildering array of careers upon which to center their lives. But there is more at stake than just a paycheck. This talk will discuss what makes for meaningful work, self-reliance, and careers that reinforce, rather than undermine, family life and a vibrant home economy.

Maybe it seems like there just isn’t enough time in the day to take care of the house, teach the kids, and even attempt to juggle a full or part-time job. But it is possible if you know how to work self-care into your everyday living. In this talk, Peggy Ployhar, SPED Homeschool Founder and CEO and recent cancer survivor, will share her own story of near burnout and how that experience led her to many realizations about how and why it was so important to prioritize her own care to keep everything balanced in her home, and how she creatively plans to ensure self-care in her busy working and homeschooling schedule. You will come away with new resolve as well as creative ideas for strategically building self-care into your own busy parenting and homeschooling life.

You can’t do everything, but did you know that you shouldn’t even try? In this message, you’ll learn how independent learning decreases burn out, helps students excel, and equips them for life. This workshop will give you the tools to guide your child as they gradually transition to learning independently, whether you have preschoolers or high schoolers!

When I ask homeschoolers their biggest challenge in homeschooling, I often hear stress, anxiety, burnout, overwhelmed with it all, consistency, procrastination, too busy, too many activities. Can you relate to these? It’s tough to homeschool and, take your pick: keep up with the laundry, serve three meals a day, find time for your husband, make life fun for everyone, and stay focused on Jesus. Let’s take a step back and see how principles from Charlotte Mason can help you simplify your homeschool and reduce your overwhelm. These practical strategies from can be used in anyone’s homeschool.

In every generation, except the last two or three, parents have taught their children how to grow their own food, keep animals, and provide for their basic needs. With wit and wisdom, this talk presents some ways parents can teach their children homesteading skills and mend the chain that has been broken from the generations before ours.

Every parent wants grace to be the biggest part of how they interact with a child who has done wrong. But a parent looking back often sees regretfully that in the heat of the moment, they fell short of the way they wish they had acted toward the child. Anger, fear, and judging are the three main suspects that can overwhelm the deep desire to act graciously. This presentation will lay down a solid Biblical foundation for dealing with those so they can no longer hijack our heart’s desire to transmit grace to a child.

This workshop is a condensed version of ScreenStrong’s Kids’ Brains & Screens Course, that offers a basic overview of the science behind healthy brain development, the effects of screens on the developing brain, symptoms of screen overuse, and solutions to prevent and reverse the effects of addictive screen habits.

Are you a homeschooling dad like I am? Do you need an occasional booster shot like I do? Come, let us reason together, encourage one another, bear each other’s burdens, and leave refreshed to carry out our vital role

Is your laundry all over the kitchen table? Are Legos© strewn across the living room floor? Can you find the kids’ history book? Do you feel like you’re drowning in chaos and clutter? Be encouraged to know that you are not alone. Kerry may be an empty nester, but she vividly remembers those days of homeschooling in the trenches. She relives those days with her grandkids. Kerry shares 3 three tips you can start using immediately to control the chaos and clutter of homeschooling.

So many young adults are walking away from the faith. How can parents help the young people under their roof develop that personal relationship with God--to make it theirs and not just something they read about or hear about in the lives of others? In this workshop, tools will be presented to help them become aware and remember the individual works of God in their own lives.

Does your child (or do you) display primarily reflexive/impulsive problem solving or deliberate/meticulous problem solving? Do either of you struggle getting out of the box, or taking time that is needed to think something through? Developing understanding of these two default modes of thinking can create better decision making and problem solving in school and all of life. In this session, we’ll explore the principles of neuroscience that lead to brain activity, connectivity, and function We’ll ask questions to make the jump from principles of science to applications for learning. Learn how cognitive tasks work, how the brain problem solves, and how to improve focus (both more and less). Lessons will be shared from both clinical and learning environments, and homework will be given to parents to help apply these general ideas into your home. Dr. Joe has an engaging way of making the complex simple, and while his two sessions aren't connected, it will be helpful to attend both as you will learn two sides of a coin (how information is processed and how an individual relates to the surrounding world). Dr. Joe’s second workshop is in Session IX. This session is more focused on internal processes than external interpretation.

Just as a house in shambles needs to be flipped to renew its purpose and extend its use, the typical methods for teaching special needs students in the homeschooling environment need to be flipped if parents want to see better educational results than the typical model provides. Peggy Ployhar, the Founder & CEO of SPED Homeschool, will dive into the history of the special education system and where many of the current practices of teaching students with special needs stem from and how they have affected our preconceived notions on how to best teach a student with special needs. Then, with a twist of hope, she will share how parents can take advantage of their homeschooling freedoms to flip these practices and homeschool their special needs students with renewed purpose to pursue their student’s God-given gifts and talents

– Jenny Conner Many of us learned how to do math but may still lack the understanding of the why behind the procedures. How do we teach our children to reason mathematically? How do we move beyond rote memorized processes and encourage true mathematical thinking in our students? Join us for this very practical workshop where Jenny will demonstrate how to guide students toward discovery of the rationale underlying key mathematical concepts. We will learn the art of questioning as well as how to use a handful of simple yet powerful illustrations applicable across curriculum. Laying a foundation of mathematical reasoning will fill us with awe at the truth, beauty, and goodness of math... and the God who created it!

Come and discover, or encounter anew, a bigger vision of what homeschooling can be for your family. Find encouragement as you reconsider your goals and put into perspective the pieces of the puzzle. We’ll talk about both academic and non-academic objectives, and practical ways to fit it all together to help you and your children find out who they were created to be and what the changing seasons might hold for you.

Most students today are graduating from college completely unprepared for the working world, and employers are growing increasingly concerned. Give your young person an advantage in life by teaching them a work ethic before it’s too late.

Are you feeling inadequate about starting the homeschooling journey with struggling student or one who has a 504 plan or IEP? Peggy Ployhar, SPED Homeschool Founder & CEO, says that, when she started homeschooling, she would have probably been voted as the parent least likely to succeed in homeschooling. Yet, 18 years later, she’s not only graduated two children from her homeschool but has also spent the last 15 years coaching other special education families towards homeschooling success. In this session families will be equipped with the top five keys to homeschooling a struggling learner with confidence as well as practical ways to put aside the things that may hinder applying these solid educational principles.

Does your high schooler dread the question, “So, what are you doing after you graduate?” In this workshop, homeschool parents and students will learn about the Discover Your WIN “What is Next” model, which will provide practical ideas on how to identify and pursue potential career paths. Regardless of whether your homeschooler is interested in college, learning a trade, or entering the workforce, the Discover Your “WIN” model can help with developing a plan for next steps after homeschool life.

This workshop is based on the ScreenStrong Student Course. Students will learn the facts about basic brain science and how addictive technology like social media and video games affect a healthy brain. They will feel encouraged and excited to live life off the screen.

Join Nick as he helps you explore practical ways to integrate AI into your homeschool routine. He will show you how to create a future-ready homeschooling environment with virtual tutors, AI-driven content recommendations, and live examples. You’ll learn how AI works, what tools are available, and how it can enhance your teaching and your child's learning.

So you’ve got a box full of unused planners and half-erased lesson plan books. Trust me, you’re not alone! From curriculum to the daily schedule, there is a simple way to plan your whole school year in just ONE week. Reclaim your Sunday nights and your sanity by joining veteran homeschool mom, Kim Sorgius Jones, for this practical session.

Many parents slowly progress away from hands-on learning as their student nears high school level classes. But, for students who have difficulty with understanding abstract concepts through traditional instruction, the removal of multi-sensory and discovery-style instruction makes the leap to high school not only challenging but also often very discouraging. In this talk, Peggy Ployhar, the CEO of SPED Homeschool, covers practical ways to build high school credit courses for a homeschool student using unit studies and encourages her audience to do the same in this interactive workshop. You will leave this talk encouraged and equipped to start, or continue, your homeschooling high school journey using unit studies.

Weeds find the tiniest cracks to take root. The same is true for marriage. Financial stress, communication breakdowns, and unresolved conflicts constantly apply pressure to your marriage. This workshop marriage adventure will help couples develop fun and healthy ways to connect with their spouse. Participants will experience how knowing who they are can produce a joyful style of communication. They will learn new habits and practices as they speak from their heart.

This is a demonstration workshop, walking you through the start-to-finish process of making sourdough bread while being fed an encouraging word. As homeschool moms, our daily work can begin to feel quite monotonous. Breakfast, lunch, and dinner come around at lightning speed, the cleanliness of the house falls short in a picture-perfect world, and the work of character training is constant. This session will be a conversation in how the rhythms of daily work and daily obedience can actually transfigure ordinary work into something very holy.

Hear from our Homeschool Iowa Lobbyist, Jeremy Voss, about our efforts to keep homeschooling rights secure. Find out about proposed legislation and learn how you can be a partner.

Does your child have a comeback for everything you tell him to do or always try and get the last word, even if it’s mumbled under his breath? Does he become mad and lose control when you discipline him rather than repenting? Or does he seem indifferent, giving the impression that discipline doesn’t faze him in the least? Through biblical insights and powerful drama, learn how to avoid the snares of parent-provoked anger and raise emotionally healthy children.

Traditionally, fathers were revered as the “Paterfamilias”— the Head of the House. In modern times, the father’s role has been diminished, usurped, and mocked. But there can be no substitute: Father is the pattern for the family, and vision for its future begins with him.

Most homeschoolers have more than one child at home, but how do they balance it all? If you need help homeschooling multiple kids, you’re in the right place. Kerry shares three tips that worked for her during her 10 years of homeschooling all three of her kids. Get rid of the overwhelm from all those lesson plans and use these tips to simplify your homeschool.

Do you find it hard to relate to and teach your children who have different learning/processing styles than you do? Understanding how your student processes information can be the key you need to help them unlock a love of learning. In this session, we will be exploring the neurobiology behind information processing and decision making. The focus will primarily be on how the right brain and left brain function and work together. As we develop applications for understanding communication, you’ll begin to understand why the same message can have vastly different meanings for two people. Take-home applications will help improve communication, relating, and efficiency in learning. Dr. Joe has an engaging way of making the complex simple, and while his two sessions aren't connected, it will be helpful to attend both as you will learn two sides of a coin (how information is processed and how an individual relates to the world around). This session is more focused on external interpretation than internal processes.

“The Principality of Mathematics is a mountainous land, but the air is very fine and health-giving.” (Charlotte Mason) Is this indicative of junior high and/or high school math in your home? Are you enjoying the fine air and taking in the summit view, or does the air feel thin and your student is seemingly stuck hiking in a circle? In this workshop we will learn how to help students retrace their steps in order to build a more solid understanding of place value, fractions, decimals, integers, and exponents. Then with this firm ground under our feet, we will navigate how to breathe life into your upper level math lessons through hands on discovery and practical examples of algebra and geometry concepts. A world of truth and beauty awaits to be found in this mountainous land!