Trust the Parents!

August 1, 2, & 3, 2008
Ontario Marriott Hotel

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

CYNDI BARNETT, Ph.D

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

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

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.

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

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

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.

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.

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. She is about to begin a two year term as CHN's newest elected 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

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.

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

KAREN TAYLOR

Karen Taylor and her husband homeschool their youngest child, who is now 17, and has never attended school. She has volunteered for CHN for over a decade, and currently serves as Expo Coordinator, CHN's Vice-President, and Chair of CHN's legal committee.

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” (Lulu, 2008). 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.

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

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!