The 2022 Symposium has ended!
Browse the list of speakers below. To access these recorded sessions, click here!
Meet our speakers!
All of our speakers are passionate and full of experience to share!
If you are signed up and logged in, use this link here to go directly into the event!
Day 1
WELCOME with Louise & Cori
Richard is CEO of CMI-Canada, and producer and co-host of the weekly, half-hour TV show Creation Magazine LIVE!.
Richard has been speaking on the creation/evolution issue since 1994. The Canadian CMI office began as a room in his home in late 1998. As a speaker, he is known for his easy-to-understand scientific presentations.
Background: Richard grew up in a Christian home but by high school he had many unanswered questions about creation, Genesis and the accuracy of the Bible that greatly hindered his spiritual growth. This began to change in 1994 after hearing Dr Carl Wieland (from CMI-Australia), subscribing to Creation magazine, and reading other resources on apologetics.
Richard’s education and professional training is in electronics and he had the privilege of working on some of the most technologically advanced electronics for more than a decade before joining CMI.
Past hobbies included skydiving (8 times) and hang gliding (nearly 300 flights!).
Richard is married and lives in Kitchener, Ontario with his wife and 5 children.
In the same way there is a Christian (biblical) view of morality, the spiritual realm, and the afterlife, there is a Christian view of geology, palaeontology, anthropology, and more.
Amber O’Neal Johnston (aka Heritage Mom) is an established authority on infusing diverse voices, culture, and a love for others into traditional homeschool curriculum. She’s an author, speaker, and worldschooling mama who shares her observations in various publications and as a coveted speaker at homeschooling, parenting, and education conferences.
Amber lives in Atlanta, Georgia nestled among pine trees, hammocks, and ziplines with her husband Scott and their four children, and she shares about the beauty of a culturally and socially conscious home environment in her book A Place to Belong, a guide for families of all backgrounds to celebrate cultural heritage, diversity, and kinship while embracing inclusivity in the home and beyond.
When children are unable to see themselves reflected in their schoolbooks, they fail to develop positive feelings of self-worth. And when they lack occasions to examine similarities and differences between themselves and others, they miss out on valuable opportunities for recognizing the shared humanity that binds all people together. A mirror is a story that reflects your own culture and helps build your identity, a window is a resource that offers you a view into someone else’s experience, and a sliding glass door invites you to enter another’s world. In this session, we will examine the use of all three types of books in our homes as we educate our children while embracing their individuality and honoring others.
Charlene Notgrass is a follower of Jesus and a veteran homeschooling mother. She received a bachelor’s degree in urban planning from Middle Tennessee State University, where she met her husband, Ray, in the political science department. After graduating they were married in 1974. Ray and Charlene are lifelong history lovers and began writing homeschool curriculum in 1999. They enjoy classic literature, traveling together, and spending time with their children and grandchildren. Charlene is the author of “From Adam to Us” and other homeschool curriculum and resources. She also publishes a blog, “Daily Encouragement for Homeschooling Mothers,” with new posts every Monday through Friday.
Join Charlene Notgrass, mother, grandmother, author, and veteran homeschooler, for a generous dose of encouragement. Charlene not only survived homeschooling; she remembers those years with deep joy and gratitude. Let Charlene help you overcome your fears and cherish every moment of your priceless, once-in-a-lifetime opportunity–the childhood of your children. You can teach your children at home and live to cherish it. Charlene did it, and she believes you can, too.
A Walk Through the Learning House
Mike Zietsma is the owner of Creating History and a high school teacher of 17 years. Creating History develops innovative Christian high school history and civics courses. When not teaching or writing curriculum, Mike enjoys traveling and fishing in the north country!
Our culture and its values are changing rapidly and this is affecting how history is interpreted and taught. How do we teach history through a Biblical lens without falling into the trap of simply repeating what culture is already communicating? Did Christ challenge the culture of his time or simply comply with it? Join us as we explore how to teach history truthfully in an ever-changing culture.
Day 2
Louise and her husband Harold reside in scenic Goderich Ontario. In 1994 they founded The Learning House, a homeschool supply company. They home educated their four children from preschool through high school. Three of their children had learning struggles. Since the sale of the company in 2020, to Mark and Cori Dean, Louise has continued working with The Learning House. She counts it a privilege to minster to homeschooling families through curriculum counseling, speaking, blogging, (From House to Home), and encouragement on a one-to-one basis.
Are you thinking about homeschooling? Or, have you made the decision to homeschool and now you wonder about so many things… Where do I start? How do I choose curriculum? What subjects do I need to teach? How can I manage with so many different grade levels? Come and let your heart be encouraged as Louise answers these questions and others about starting the home school journey.
Charlotte Mason said: “Of the three sorts of knowledge proper to a child, the knowledge of God, of man, and of the universe,–the knowledge of God ranks first in importance, is indispensable, and most happy-making.” If The Knowledge if God should be the most important thing we teach our kids, why is it that we spend so much time in other subjects and how can we make it a complete priority from now on? Join Ana as she gives you daily practical ways to make The Knowledge of God front and center in your Charlotte Mason home education in order to produce Godly character, spiritual growth, and a legacy for God’s glory.
A homeschool graduate herself, Megen attended Osgoode Hall Law School in Toronto, Ontario, and practiced in the areas of child protection and family law. Since she began working with HSLDA in 2017, she has successfully assisted many HSLDA members with constructive solutions to their legal issues and guided them in working with authorities where necessary. She also keeps track of potential legislative changes that may affect homeschooling families.
Megen is a member of the Law Society of Ontario, the Ontario Bar Association, and the Christian Legal Fellowship. She and her lawyer husband live in Toronto, Ontario, where they homeschool their children.
A second-generation homeschooling parent and legal counsel for HSLDA Canada since 2017, Megen will be sharing her experience balancing homeschooling and working. She’ll also touch on her work at HSLDA, and what she’s learned as both a part of and
a lawyer for the homeschooling community.
LIVE Q&A with Cori & Louise - ask us anything!
Cori Dean is an author and speaker and the owner of The Learning House and Maple Tree Publications. With nearly 20 years of homeschool experience she has traveled the country bringing support and encouragement to thousands of homeschoolers for more than a decade. Having graduated their older two children, she and her husband Mark continue to work with their younger two both at home and in their learning nook at the store in Bradford, Ontario. Cori loves long days of bicycling as well as camping and boating with the family and thinks there’s nothing better than a good book, some dark chocolate, and a cup of tea.
Living with teens is always an adventure. Homeschooling them can be a roller coaster. When anticipating the adolescent years, many parents approach with fear and caution but we can both survive the teen years and maybe even find ourselves propelled into the best part of this journey yet. Our teens are seeking purpose and vision as they transition into independence. They need the well-established trails of discipline that deliver strong character and spiritual strength. They crave healthy relationships with their family and others. They continue to require inspiration to learn as they blossom into the young adults that the Lord planned for them to be. Join Cori Dean as she shares lessons from her journey of more than 20 years of parenting and homeschooling teens.
Day 3
Diana Waring is one of the pioneers of homeschooling. For more than three decades she has been an author and speaker to the international homeschool movement. What people enjoy most about her presentations is the gentle humor, humble transparency, and loving encouragement she brings to parents, students, and families.
Beneath our outwardly smiling faces, our hearts often struggle with paralyzing fear, guilt, and a sense of failure as homeschooling parents. In this workshop, we are going to drag these “nasties” into the light so that they can no longer destroy the simple joys of teaching our kids at home. Whether you are new to homeschooling or an experienced veteran, come for a refreshing and honest time together.
Diane Geerlinks is a professionally certified Educational Therapist, Director of GeerLINKS Educational Therapy & Consulting and is Marketing Director for NILD Canada (National Institute for Learning Development). She is a motivational speaker and brings her 25 years of homeschool experience to each workshop presentation. In 2009, Diane trained as an NILD Educational Therapist and has since continued to pursue her passion for learning with particular focus on the neuroplasticity of the brain and how we can improve our capacity for learning at any age. Diane is a lively and passionate speaker and presents at educators’ conferences across Canada.
Homeschooling isn’t always easy. You’ve heard many people say, “Don’t worry, they’ll catch up”. But, as parent you wonder…will this really change? And how do I even know if I need help? In this workshop, Diane will discuss the road side caution markers along the journey. With some support, you can do this!
Sherri Seligson and her husband David homeschooled their four children through high school. Before being promoted to motherhood, Sherri worked as a marine biologist at Walt Disney World’s Living Seas, publishing shark behavior research. With an M.Ed. in curriculum design and science instruction, she has authored several of Apologia’s science courses and accompanying instructional video courses, as well as companion curricula for feature films. An international conference and retreat speaker, Sherri uses transparency, truth, and humor, to teach families the importance of studying God’s creation and encourages moms on their homeschool journey.
Have you ever taken a walk outside with a three-year-old? It can take forever as each leaf is examined, acorns are gathered, and flowers are smelled. This is not just because your child is stalling before naptime. The outdoors is one of the best environments to teach science, focusing on God’s amazing creation and its complex design. Research has also demonstrated that being outside improves attention, memory, and learning. Join Sherri as she explores the how and why behind taking your science (and other subjects) outside and how to document what you are learning together. It is easy and FUN!
This workshop gives practical steps on how to teach the Bible in your homeschools and how to prevent your kids from lukewarmness or worse. Leading by example has always been a tried and true method but where and how do you start? Join me as you learn what has worked well in our family and what has not. Gain the confidence that you can impact your children not only to love God, but to be world changers. Don’t settle for anything less.
WRAP-UP with Cori & Louise
- Access to virtual symposium
- Private Facebook group where all sessions you can interact with other home educating families
- Watch the replays in our private online Learning Centre
