About Our Workshops

2018 Workshops

This year we would like to bring together both veteran homeschoolers and “newbies” alike to a one-of-a kind interactive homeschool planning and organizing event. It’s more than information and encouragement; it’s practical help that will help you develop a plan for the upcoming year(s).

Friday:

Doors open at 2:00. Limited space is available in each workshop, so arrive early. Workshops begin at 2:30

We invite you to join us on Friday in our Visions and Goals Workshop where you’ll take time to establish a vision and examine your goals as you are encouraged and equipped by Brandi Vaughn, a veteran homeschool mom who’ll help you you to establish a vision for your home and school and begin setting goals that are tangible and obtainable. Brandi will use her 12 years of homeschool experience to lead and encourage you as you set sail for the next year of rewarding home schooling.
The following workshop will start you on a plan and get you organizing your thoughts. You’ll work with veteran homeschool moms as you think through what are the “musts”, what are the things you would love to include and what things can be left out. You’ll discover the freedom that comes with having a plan that is versatile and will fit into even the most crowded days. As you work, you’ll begin with the needs, add in field trips, extracurricular, sports and even fun and relaxation.
Once you have a workable plan, you can explore the options and plug in the great materials you find in the exhibit hall.
You’ll visit more workshops about high school planning, transcripts, science, math, learning challenges and so much more.
While you’re looking, you can visit the Lighthouse Home School Support and talk to moms who’ve been doing this for years. Maybe you’ve been doing this for years and just need some new insight. Visit and explore the options, then use your workbook to start a plan right there in the exhibit hall as you find the encouragement and support you need to make homeschooling the wonderful expression of learning that it is supposed to be!

Saturday:

More superbly informational and helpful workshops will lead you to a place of comfort with where you’ve been and where you’re going in this homeschool journey. Workshops begin at 10:00am and have limited space. First come, first seated. Please arrive early.

While you’re enjoying visiting and working with veteran homeschoolers, visit some exhibits that will give you ideas to help you solidify some of your goals. You’ll get to interact with other moms who are on the same path and join in some fun demonstrations from local co-ops, activity groups and schools. While you there, you just may win one of the great prizes that will be offered in exciting drawings throughout the evening. There’s even a silent auction for a deer feeder that some homeschool hunters have gotta love!

Admission is $10+tax when you purchase your tickets online HERE. At the door, admission will be $15 sales tax included. (18 and under attend free with adult attendees.) Pay with Paypal, bring your receipt to the expo and walk on in to visit co-op and support group leaders, business exhibits and informative workshops Friday, June 22nd from 2 pm until 6 pm and from 9am until 4pm Saturday, June 23 at Ford Park Entertainment Complex in Beaumont, TX. At the Door Entry begins at 1:45pm Friday and Exhibit Hall opens at 2:00 pm. Saturday, the doors will open for entry at 9:00 am workshops will begin at 10:00 am.

Below are just some of the workshops that will be available throughout the two-day event.

Here is our workshop schedule.

You’ll be able to attend informative and encouraging workshops by area educational professionals and veteran homeschool moms and dads:

Dr. Jay Wile — Teaching Critical Thinking- One of the biggest failures of our public and private school systems is that they do not teach students how to think critically. In this seminar, Dr. Wile gives you specific suggestions as to how you can teach your child to think critically, regardless of the subject matter. You will learn how to help your student evaluate statements, look for hidden assumptions, find political/social agendas, and discover faulty logic. Although Dr. Wile’s area of interest is science, he will show you how critical thinking applies to all academic areas, as well as all facets of your life. Dr. Jay L. Wile holds a Ph.D. in nuclear chemistry and a B.S. in chemistry, both from the University of Rochester. He has won several awards for excellence in teaching and has presented numerous lectures on the topics of Nuclear Chemistry, Christian Apologetics, Homeschooling, and Creation vs. Evolution. He has more than 30 articles in the peer-reviewed scientific literature, but he is best known for his award-winning “Exploring Creation With…” series of junior high and high school science textbooks published by Apologia as well as his elementary science series that teaches science in the context of history. This workshop is sponsored by Berean Builders.

Preparing a High School Transcript and a 4 Year Plan– David Mosley, a local homeschool dad and Coordinator of Institutional Effectiveness and Grants at Lamar Institute of Technology will give you the details on how to prepare your child’s path through high school such that when you are considering college entrance, there will be nothing to fear. Experience is what he shares with you! He has graduated 6 of his own children from high school, each going on to post secondary institutions holding an effective and more than acceptable Texas private school transcript. Experience is your friend! He’ll show you how to prepare your child’s path in high school, how to account for credits and scores and how to prepare the transcript that will be accepted by colleges and universities without question. Did we mention he has experience that will help you? Mr. Mosley has been a benefactor to the homeschool community of southeast Texas in his role at LIT and as a gracious helper to any who have asked for his assistance. LIT is proud to sponsor this workshop.

GO-LIVE-LEARN-Making the Most of Field Trips– Years of experience and knowledge will be tapped in this workshop provided by Jube Dankworth of Texas Home Educators. Jube educated her own children at home and now spends time scheduling and taking field trips with her homeschooled grandchildren. Speaking with thousands of home educating parents and seeing the needs of the community, Jube has dedicated her time, talents and more than three decades of experience to helping home schools thrive in Texas. She knows the challenges of homeschooling, including the best ways to work in the most valuable learning experiences through educational field trips that take you out of the classroom and into the experiences that make eyes widen with excitement as concepts are seen and not just read about, touched and not just talked about! This workshop is sponsored by Texas Home Educators.

Seeing the Vision and Setting the Goals– Well, you’re on a path now, but do you have your sights on the prize? Whether you are just beginning or have been on this path for a while, the vision must be fresh. Sometimes it needs renewing; sometimes it needs to be clearer, but it always need to be there or you may lose heart. Once it’s sure though, and you set the goals that will give you the step-at-a-time mindset that it takes to continue, you will feel refreshed and ready to enjoy your children and family as you all learn together! Brandi Vaughn will use her 12 years of homeschool experience to lead and encourage you as you set sail for the next year of rewarding home schooling.

Working Out a Plan- Have you ever wanted to just sit down with someone who has already completed homeschool or has been involved in it for many years and get advice and tidbits of wisdom that they have gained from the experience? Well, this is your opportunity to do just that. We’ll have a small panel of moms who have done this for a while who will share with you some tips from their experience and then work with you as you start planning, so you can walk away with a start that will motivate you and establish the beginning of a beautiful year with your children as you walk this rewarding home school road….together! We’ll use simple calendars, charts and organizers to help put it on paper throughout the weekend. THSC has provided a wonderful planner that will be of great use to you as you work with those who may not have all the answers, but will gladly share their experience with you. This workshop is sponsored by Lighthouse Home School Support, an organization founded with SETX homeschool community in mind!

Seven Steps to Getting Started:The Basics-Everything you need to know about getting started homeschooling in Texas- Years of experience and knowledge will be tapped in this workshop provided by an experienced and confident THSC representative, Ashley Lawson. Ashley Lawson is the Leadership Support Manager for THSC. Ashley is passionate about what home school groups offer to home educators and is truly blessed to serve THSC and home school group leaders. She is currently home schooling and serves as director of a home school co-op in Johnson County, Texas. She formerly worked outside the home before feeling called to stay home and educate her children. Ashley and her husband Mike have six children. Get the advice you need and soak up the experience to make your homeschool decision easy and effective!

“Getting a Head Start on College–Dual Credit at Work For You”-—Luke Bourgeois, a homeschool graduate who has learned the ropes and is now helping make the clime easier, will share with you in a concise and informative workshop how your homeschool student can earn college credits, learn a skill, and get a head start on the next step in their education. He’ll discuss how to use Lamar Institute of Technology’s dual-credit program to begin the college journey. Don’t miss this thinking your child is too young! Learn early so you will not miss the opportunities that begin as early as 9th grade. Open the door to the options as your child begins to earn high school credits that will make the most of both or your time.

Homeschooling and the Law–We’ve all had questions along the way about what is required by law and what is just expected by others. Many of us have even been asked, “Is that even legal?” Take the time to learn what you must or must not do as a home school in Texas. Ashley Lawson, veteran homeschool mom, and THSC Leadership Support Manager, knows the ins and outs and can answer questions as she lays out the specifics in a clear path where you will not get tripped up. Once again, experience is what we offer at the SETX Homeschool Expo.

Town Hall with State Representative James Earl White– Knowing that someone has your back is great. Knowing that someone that has your back is even better! Get to know State Rep. James White and let him get to know you. A friendly town-hall meeting will allow you to find out what is going on that concerns home school families and allow Mr. White to find out what concerns us. Ask questions, share concerns and encourage others to become involved as you speak with the only Texas representative who has been to each of our SETX Homeschool Expo events in an effort to meet the needs of homeschoolers, not only in his district, but to bring their concerns to the state level. He has a much to offer and cares about his district and his state!

Teaching Elementary Science with History as a Guide– Dr. Jay Wile–There are two main ways that science is taught today. The first method, called the spiral approach, teaches a wide range of topics every year, and students spend a little time on each topic. However, every few few years, the topics are revisited, and students learn them in more depth. This method produces a high level of recall but is generally boring for students, as they feel that they are repeating a bunch of material unnecessarily. The second method, called the immersion approach, has students spend all semester (or even all year) on a single topic. Students learn that topic in depth and then move on, never revisiting the topic again. This is less repetitive, but it produces lower recall, and students tend to learn the later topics better than the earlier topics, because they mature as time goes on.
In this seminar, Dr. Jay L. Wile discusses a different method for teaching science in the elementary years: covering science topics chronologically. Science was learned in a definite, chronological sequence as early scientists developed ideas that were tested and improved by later scientists. If science is taught this way, students cover a wide range of topics each year and then revisit many of them as they were improved by later scientists. This has a lot of similarities to the spiral approach, but when students revisit a topic, it is not just repetition with a little more depth thrown in. The student learns the topic in the context of a new scientist and his improvements on the idea. This produces the high levels of recall that the spiral approach produces, but it is more interesting to the students. It also gives students a more realistic view of how science is done in the real world. Sponsored by Berean Builders.

How to use CLEP and Dual Credit to Earn a Degree at Home— David Covey-David Covey grew up in Orange, Texas with four sisters and three brothers. Homeschooled from kindergarten through high school by his parents, David achieved his bachelor’s degree in Business Management from Thomas Edison University for under $8000 in eighteen months. He then completed his Juris Doctorate from Oak Brook College of Law— all at home. Who better to help you navigate the online and testing system than a homeschool student who has successfully completed not only his high school diploma, but a bachelor’s and Juris Doctorate at home?! Learn the basics of post secondary educational choices as you help your child explore all the opportunities home schooling has to offer. Covey has worked for the US Congress as a Communications Director and subsequently for the Texas Senate as the Senior Policy Advisor to Senator Bob Hall. During David’s time working for the senate, he contributed to over one hundred pieces of legislation and published a book titled “Hometown Politics, The Christian’s Guide to Local Government.” (Available in Author’s Corner at the SETX Homeschool Expo.)David currently works in the private sector as a consultant to the oil and gas industry in Texas, serves as a Commissioner of his local Emergency Service District, and is Chairman of the Orange County Republican Party.

Children’s Interactive Workshop–Beaumont Children’s Museum–

Coffee and Conversations: Schooling at Home with Special Needs–Elizabeth Schreck– Discover the resources, materials and manipulatives that will give you insight you need to enjoy teaching your child with special needs. Elizabeth Schreck, homeschooling momma of a special needs child will combine her knowledge and research with that of some others she has shared with to address and discuss various adaptations that can be made to make homeschooling your child a joy. Laying aside the expectations of others, learn what to expect from your child and yourself as you welcome the accomplishments and take the struggles in stride. You can homeschool your special needs child! Be encouraged while you drink coffee and have conversations Elizabeth.

Homeschooling Math Without a Plan? You’ve Got to be Kidding!–Tom Clark–This workshop is designed to help parent-educators understand the scope, the sequence, and the logic of mathematics instruction from pre-school through adult. Join Tom Clark, founder of VideoText Interactive, and author of “Algebra: A Complete Course”, and “Geometry: A Complete Course”, as he takes you on a sometimes humorous journey, describing all levels of arithmetic and all mathematics courses encountered in high school and college. In addition, considerable attention will be given to identifying the “why” of the study of mathematics with an emphasis on the development of concepts, instead of rote memorization.

Fear Factor For Tweens and Teens–Wallkerr School of Life– Fun facts and hands on experiences make for excellent learning opportunities. Wallkerr School of Life will offer your middle or high school student one of those moments in a brief, student workshop to introduce them (and you) to Biomolecules. They’ll compete to make a combination of “fats”, “proteins”, and “carbs” and then be the first to eat it. Afterward, there’s a discussion about the wonderful concept of biomolecules and the part they have in life. Come have fun in this interactive workshop for tweens and teens!

Learning Styles– Danielle Bell–What if your first-born is a visual learner and your youngest is a kinesthetic learner, never mind the other children? Do you have a different math program for each child? What if you aren’t sure what style fits best? Do you keep skipping around, hoping to find one that fits? RightStart™ Math addresses all learning styles. Come get an overview of this award-winning and highly recommended math program while you consider your child’s learning style!

Mom’s Take Care of Yourselves–Daisy Hargrave– The picture of health herself, Daisy knows the challenges of raising a family and homeschooling, but also knows that none of it will go well if mom is not well! Let her encourage you, equip you and educate you about taking your health seriously as you juggle the load. Poor health and self neglect can become a ticking time bomb for moms who devote so much to others. It doesn’t have to be difficult to do, in fact, it can be a family endeavor. Daisy is owner of Anytime Fitness, mom to 3 and health coach to many. Let her share the vision of health with you!

Dads Homeschool Too!– Daniel White–Dads are a vital, integral factor in the development, growth, and education of their children. Too many of today’s children are occupationally orphaned by their dads. In a faced-paced, family-hostile society which pulls and tugs from multiple directions, Dads must be diligent to establish and defend their home, their family. Homeschool Dads have a great advantage and should avail themselves of the opportunity. Become an integral factor in the life of your child. Let the world be your classroom, learn to teach, everywhere and all the time. Be encouraged as you hear from a Dad who is experienced in the ways a homeschool dad can be a part. Daniel and his wife, D’Ann have homeschooled for 15 years. He is the father of 6 children, the oldest of which is a senior at the University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, while the others are still learning at home. The White family began homeschooling while on mission in Mexico and continued when arriving back in the States. Daniel, the senior pastor of First Baptist Church of Kountze brings years of homeschooling experience to the table–the good, the bad and the ugly! He has been an integral part of their homeschool since the beginning and encourages men to embrace an holistic approach to dad-ship.

Testing: Options, Prep and What It Means in High School–Kimberly Garcia–Learn what the testing options are for college entrance and how to prepare for them. Kim Garcia, a veteran Texas homeschool mom, author and speaker will share her knowledge and experience about the PSAT, SAT, ACT and TSI. What are they for? How should you prepare? and What’s the difference? Kim will help you navigate the testing path with this informative and helpful workshop. When she is not actively teaching, Kimberly spends her time publishing educational workbooks, homeschooling resources, and adult coloring books. To learn more about her or her company, Brookdale House, you can find her online at www.brookdalehouse.com.

Addressing Dyslexia and Reading Concerns–Beverly Parrish is a third generation educator and a mom of seven who began home schooling her kids in 1990….and she’s still at it! Over the years she has home schooled not only her children, but others as well. Bev has spent years mentoring new home school moms, tutoring struggling students and is a favorite among conference attendees as a speaker and overall encourager. Bev is excited about delivering practical truths to families so they may be relieved from unnecessary burdens. She is a licensed Davis Dyslexia Correction® Facilitator and can ease your concerns and help you address the needs of your struggling or Dyslexic reader!

Still more in the works, so check back soon!

Be sure to visit the websites of our exhibitors and find out more about them by clicking the links in the sidebar of the pages. They are here to support and encourage homeschooling in southeast Texas!