Homeschool Training Day



Gather with homeschooling families from across Central Ohio for a FANTASTIC FREE event:

8th Annual 

HOMESCHOOL TRAINING DAY

"Light for the Journey" 

February 3, 2023

Cornerstone Church 

4905 Jacksontown Rd. Heath, Ohio 43056

Doors open at 4pm  Exhibitor Hall 4- 9pm  Training Sessions 5pm, 6pm, 7pm, and 8pm.

Limited FREE Tickets available online!
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/8th-annual-homeschool-training-day-light-for-the-journey-registration-504869748007

Hear from dynamic speakers, Be encouraged by other homeschooling families and enter to win wonderful door prizes!

Featured Speakers

Dan and Debbie Gibson of Christian Home Educators of Ohio - Homeschooling Advocates since 1983

"Getting Started: Homeschooling 101"  

Debbie and her husband Dan have nine wonderful children ages 17- 35, numerous grandchildren, and have been married 36 years! With a lifetime of homeschooling experience, they are delighted to serve on CHEO’s Board of Directors. 

CHEO is a member-supported 501(c) 3 non-profit organization with the Christ-centered ministry of supporting, equipping, and protecting families in the home education of their children.  As a year-round ministry, they function to inform and educate families through various means, including sponsored seminars and regional events. They diligently work to monitor the Ohio legislative process to protect our freedom to home educate.

Debby Gerth of Ohio Homeschooling Parents

Topic: Embrace Your Freedom in Home Education - Debby Gerth, OHP

Do you wonder if you're doing this homeschooling thing all wrong? Are you struggling to meet standards and expectations? Are you almost certain you are failing your child?  Do all of your relatives tell you how disadvantaged your child will be? 

Don't miss this informative and enlightening session.  You CAN homeschool, but it might look a little bit different than what you are expecting, and that is a VERY good thing!

Debby is a homeschooling mother of three,  advocate, encourager, and co-learner homeschool mom.  She is also the co-chair of Ohio Homeschooling Parents, a state-wide home education and advocacy group of over 17,000 parent educators.  

Lisa Cox of School Solutions

Topic: Understanding the Jon Peterson Scholarship

Discover need to know information about the Jon Peterson Scholarship, the application process, how to access services OUTSIDE of the public schools and how to help YOUR struggling learner with at home supports that will make a HUGE difference in their lives.  

Lisa began homeschooling in 2002, and has one graduate and one who graduates in 2020.   Over a decade of annual homeschool assessments,  with over 2,000 forms signed in 2019.  HSLDA Special Education Consultant, Jon Peterson Scholarship Provider, Owner/Operator of School Solutions, Creative Writing Teacher , Author of 3 E-Books (for Spelling, Phonics and Word Study), Orton-Gillingham Reading Tutor, Homeschool Consultant, and year-round "mom encourager" and volunteer in our community.

Melanie Elsey of CHEO

 "Homeschooling in Ohio: Legislative Update"
- Including SB178 and possible changes to the homeschooling code in Ohio

Melanie and her husband John serve on CHEO’s Board of Directors. She has also been serving as the Legislative Liaison for CHEO since 1994. In this capacity, she has monitored the work of the State Board of Education and the Ohio Legislature to ensure policies proposed would not adversely affect the rights of parents to home-educate their children. She and her husband John also serve as members of the CHEO Board of Directors. She has publicly addressed the effects of state and federal policies at the invitation of more than 350 local communities since 1993. She and John have been married 35 years and are the parents of 3 grown children, and are blessed with their families and four grandchildren.

Christine Zell of Rabbit Trails Homeschool

Topic: Down the Rabbit Trail: Using Quality Literature in Your Homeschool with Young Learners


Christine is a homeschooling mom to four, wife to her high school sweetheart, and creator of Rabbit Trails Homeschool. She believes homeschooling adventures can happen anywhere: within a book, you get lost in while in your school room, while gathered on the couch, or out on a grand road schooling trip. Christine has embraced the relaxed atmosphere that has developed as she has learned to let go of the small things, enjoy her children, and help them create a love of learning. She enjoys encouraging other families in their homeschool journeys through her curriculum and her local homeschool community.
Her award-winning curriculum encourages homeschoolers to enjoy going down a rabbit trail of learning about various topics and has a Charlotte Mason/literature-based learning vibe that is both creative and engaging!

Crystal Goehring of Mount Vernon Nazarene University

Transitioning Homeschool to College

From how to begin preparing for the transition to college during high school years … to how to prepare for success in college … to how to take advantage of the College Credit Plus option, this session will give you the information you need as you help your child through the process of becoming an adult learner.

Crystal homeschooled her four girls through most of their journey into their high school years before becoming employed at a Christian school where she taught advanced English classes, was English Department Chair, and Dean of Academics.  Now, as the Director of Dual Enrollment and Admissions Operations at Mount Vernon Nazarene University, Crystal spends her day helping middle school and high school students successfully navigate the transition to college-level work and expectations.

Drason Sillin of Excellence in Learning Community Co-op

"Will by kids be weird? Homeschooling Support for Fathers"

Drason is a career security professional with a Bachelor's in Emergency Management and a Master's in Public Administration and a homeschooling father of three graduates.  Drason encourages fathers to get involved in their families' homeschooling adventure and offers practical tips for dads.  Worried that your kids will be weird? If you're a father wondering if homeschooling is right for your family, come to this session!


Topic: Understanding College Credit Plus - Nicole Thompson , COTC

College Credit Plus provides students in grades 7-12 the opportunity to earn college and high school credits at the same time by taking courses through Central Ohio Technical College. The purpose of this program is to enhance students’ career readiness and postsecondary success, while providing a wide variety of options to college-ready students, at no cost to students and families.

Learn how the College Credit Plus and Concurrent Enrollment can benefit your students.  Important dates and application information will be covered in this session as well as the Two-Year Transfer Guarantee and the ability to complete many classes online, from the comfort of your own home.

Rachel Carbetta of Carbetta Barns in Granville, Ohio

Topic: Homeschool Discipleship: Nurturing Young Hearts 

Mother of two lively boys. Host of a National Bible Bee study group. Founder of a Christian Horse Club to help disciple young children and youth in the way they can grow. Rachel grew up as a preacher's kid and graduated from a Christian school, Warner Southern College, with a BA in Communication Arts with an emphasis, in Video and Film and a Minor in Journalism. She has been a teacher in the public school system, an assistant coach and spiritual advisor for a women’s college basketball program, and has been invited to speak at several women’s conferences. Rachel has a heart for children, to build character, to see them grow in their faith, and to help them understand Jesus. Willing to be a vessel, Rachel is so excited to see what else God has in store!

Amanda Sillin of Excellence in Learning Community Co-op 

Homeschooling High School

High School Record Keeping 

Amanda is a homeschooling mom of three high school grads, two college grads, and one EMT/firefighter. Amanda encourages homeschooling families that they CAN homeschool through high school and do so with confidence and success.  Get How-to advice and answers to common questions about diplomas and transcripts and creating high school records.  

Amanda also has to feed everyone who still lives at home... learn how digital couponing can help you save money, especially during inflation, and be a wise manager of your home's finances. 

Sarah Bennett of Bennett Homeschool Consulting

Topic: Approaching Learning Challenges with Peace of Mind and Confidence

Sarah Bennett has been homeschooling since 2018, but before that, she taught in the public school setting for seven years in a special education classroom.  She has found joy and commonality between these two settings as she works on figuring out the puzzle of each individual student, finding what makes them tick, how to motivate them, and helping them find a love for learning, reading, and exploration. An obstacle for homeschool parents who teach kiddos with learning challenges is developing a plan that moves their kiddo socially, emotionally, and academically forward and toward independence.  Additionally, discovering and utilizing strategies to scaffold learning enables students to find confidence and independence while learning new skills.  

Sarah holds a Bachelor of Science in Social Science Education from Southwest Baptist University and a Master’s in K-12 Adaptive Special Education. Sarah says, "It is a great honor to share what I know with you.  I hope to encourage and put your mind at ease in some small way as you journey with your kiddos."

Casey Green of Civil Air Patrol Licking County Composite Squadron

Incorporating STEM into your homeschool (And How to Get Free STEM Kits through Civil Air Patrol)

and

The Sky Is Literally the Limit - Unlocking the Vast Opportunities for Kids in Civil Air Patrol

Casey is a homeschooling mom of five. Her kids range in age from 7 – 16, so she understands the challenges homeschooling parents face at every level. She is also a Senior Member of the Civil Air Patrol, Licking County Composite Squadron. She functions as Aerospace Education Officer for her local squadron, at Everett Park in Newark. Part of her responsibilities includes educating the public about Aerospace Education & STEM. Casey is passionate about enriching children’s education and providing educators and homeschooling parents with tools to spark an interest in children’s minds regarding science.


Marshal Sillin of Marshal's Outdoors Ltd. and Service Pulse, LLC 

"Small Business for Teens"

Is your teen interested in starting their own small business?  Is this even possible when you are still in high school?

This doesn't have to be complicated.  Learn how to find a small business that fits your busy high school schedule, including academics, extracurriculars, and social life!  Discover how starting a small business can count on transcripts, teach life skills and money management, and open up a world of opportunities for the future. Marshal is a homeschool graduate who started his landscaping business at 14 years old!  

Marshal owns and operates Marshal's Outdoors, Ltd and Service Pulse, LLC.

Topic: Unpacking Assessments and Portfolio Reviews

Debby Gerth and Lisa Cox

Discover need-to-know information about end-of-year homeschooling assessments and discover which avenue is right for your family.  Learn what an assessor is looking for, how to complete a review if you are an unschooler, and how to find an assessor who is homeschooling friendly. 


Topic: Ask Anything About Homeschooling!

Veteran Homeschooling Parent Panel - Coleen Slagle, Christy Huy, Lisa VanTilburg, Jan Rohrbaugh

We are wrapping up with a Q&A session! 

Are you struggling in a particular area? Do you wish you could talk to someone who has been homeschooling for a while? Get some advice from level-headed homeschooling moms from all walks of life. 

We will discuss family, curriculum, life balance, and all things homeschool related!  This is a fun and relaxed way to wrap up a GREAT NIGHT!

Booths in Main Hall

Interested in joining our Main Hall? Click here

Schedule of Sessions Offered

5:00 pm

Homeschooling 101 - perfect for those in their first year or two of homeschooling - Debbie Gibson of CHEO  

Homeschooling High School - Amanda Sillin

Down the Rabbit Trail: Using Quality Literature in your Homeschool with Young Learners

Will my kids be weird? Encouragement for Homeschooling Dads - Drason Sillin


6:00 pm

Utilizing College Credit Plus, free college while you're still in high school  -Nicole Thompson - COTC

Legislative Update - Melanie Elsey - CHEO

Approaching Learning Challenges with Peace of Mind and Confidence - Sarah Bennett - Bennett Homeschool Consulting

Incorporating STEM into your homeschool - Sgt. Casey Green, Civil Air Patrol


7:00 pm

Transitioning Homeschool to College - Crystal Goehring, Mount Vernon Nazarene University 

High School Record Keeping - Diplomas, Transcripts and More - Amanda Sillin - Excellence in Learning Community Co-op

Understanding the Jon Peterson Scholarship for your struggling learner  - Lisa Cox - School Solutions

Homeschool Discipleship: Nurturing Young Hearts - Rachel Carbetta


8:00 pm

Homeschooling Panel  - ASK ANYTHING about homeschooling - Veteran Homeschooling Moms. 

Unpacking Assessments and Portfolio Reviews - Debby Gerth and Lisa Cox

Small Businesses for Teens - Marshal Sillin, Marshal's Outdoors Ltd. 

The Sky Is Literally the Limit - Unlocking the Vast Opportunities for Kids in Civil Air Patrol - Sgt. Casey Green, Civil Air Patrol



Venue Layout & Door Prizes 

*There is no purchase nessesary to enter to win door prizes, ELCC board members are ineligible to win.

**Winner must be present at the event to enter & win, door prize drawings will be held at 8:00pm EST in the vendor hall and winners posted on the Excellence in Learning Community Co-op Facebook page. www.facebook.com/ELCChomeschool

***All door prizes have been generously donated and donors are not affiliate marketing partners of Excellence in Learning Community Co-op.