Training Day

Gather with homeschooling families from across

Central Ohio for a FANTASTIC event, our 3rd Annual

TRAINING DAY!

THIS EVENT IS FREE and OPEN to ANY homeschooling or considering homeschooling family!

Located at 310 Everett Ave. Newark, Ohio

Registration is located at the bottom of this page

Featured Speakers

Melanie Elsey - Christian Home Educators of Ohio - Homeschooling Advocates since 1983

"Resources for Homeschooling Families" and "Homeschooling 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 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 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 blessed with their families and four grandchildren.

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 in order to protect our freedom to home educate.

Shellie Arnold, mother of three, Author and Founder of Your Marriage resources

"Your Marriage: The Foundation for Happy Homeschooling"

The unique challenges of homeschooling can reveal weak areas in our marriages. If left unchecked, these areas can threaten the integrity of the marriage. Come learn how to recognize these Intimacy Barriers and address them with God’s help.

Shellie has home schooled for over twenty years. A novelist, seminar and retreat speaker, Shellie’s heart is for marriages. She most enjoys sharing all she’s learned the hard way about marriage, telling others she’s living proof God can redeem, heal, and restore anything. In her Barn Church series (The Spindle Chair, Sticks and Stones, and Abide With Me), she endeavors to show any marriage difficulty can become a “happily even after” story. She believes any marriage can thrive when both parties listen to God. Find Shellie at www.shelliearnold.com.

Casey Green of Civil Air Patrol Licking County Composite Squadron

"Resources for Incorporating STEM in your Homeschool"

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 Civil Air Patrol, Licking County Composite

Squadron. She functions as the Aerospace Education Officer for her local squadron, located at Everett Park in Newark.

Part of her responsibilities include educating the public about Aerospace Education & STEM. Casey is passionate about

enriching children’s education and providing tools to educators and homeschooling parents to spark an interest in

children’s minds regarding science. Her presentation will briefly discuss what Civil Air Patrol is and what it does for the

community. She will also discuss how you can become an Aerospace Education Member, so you can receive these items

free of charge: resources, curriculum, STEM kits, and so much more! You will not regret finding out more about this

exciting opportunity to enhance your children’s education!

Tami Claggett, Homeschooling Mother of 5, Co-Owner of Claggett Family Farm, lives on 100 acres in Licking County

"Homeschooling, Homemaking, Homesteading"

Do you desire to serve your family but feel overwhelmed at the idea of homeschooling, homemaking and homesteading? Join Tami for some encouragement and wisdom from the farm.

Melissa Hamilton, Homeschooling Mother of 4, Certified Ohio teacher

"Portfolio Reviews and Assessments- Need to Know"

Melissa has taught in both public and private schools (12 years) as well as homeschooled her own children for the past 8 years. She has had experience with many curriculum choices, both as a teacher and as a home educator.

Melissa holds a BS in Elementary Education from Pensacola Christian College, Pensacola, Florida as well as a Masters degree in Curriculum and Instruction from the University of West Florida. She has continued to further her education by obtaining continuing education classes from: The Ohio State University, Walsh University, and Ashland University, to further develop her knowledge in reading difficulties/strategies, writing, science, technologies, and elementary math best practices and strategies.

Jon R. Lindsey - Jon Peterson Special Needs Scholarship Provider and Intervention Specialist

"Homeschooling students with Dyslexia"

Jon holds a Bachelors of Science in Education/Intervention Specialist from Ohio University, is an IMSLEC certified Orton Gillingham Instructor, Wilson Level 1 certified, Third Grade Reading guarantee approved provider, John Peterson Scholarship Provider, and Autism Scholarship Provider.

Learn how to unlock the potential in your dyslexic student with practical advice and instruction, connect to local funding resources, and find curriculum that will assist in your homeschool.

Carol Kinsey - Homeschooling mother of 2 and Author of Creative Writing through Literature

"The Importance of Literature and Writing in your Homeschool"

Carol Kinsey lives with her husband and their two daughters on a farm in rural Ohio. She and her husband have been involved in youth ministry for over twenty years and currently serve at a small country church, which inspired her first novel, Under the Shadow of a Steeple. Her novel, Witness Protection, was released in September 2017. She has also published Greater Love, Until Proven Innocent, and a writing curriculum, Creative Writing Through Literature. Carol has a passion for writing exciting Christ-centered fiction that uplifts, encourages, and gives glory to God.

-Christa Milner - My Place to Be, Homeschooling mom

"Homeschooling on the Spectrum"

Christa encourages other parents with children on the Autism Spectrum that they CAN homeschool and they CAN find community and support for their journey! She founded My Place to Be in 2006 as a way to help support her own child, and assist other families like hers.

My Place to Be exists to help children understand the social world. Offering social awareness classes which guide children to learn positive choices in expressing emotions. By teaching basic skills, students are able to join their peers and understand the nuances of socializing with others. These skills can be very difficult for a child on the Autism Spectrum. My Place to Be takes a non-judgmental approach encouraging students to learn from our mishaps. This is a safe environment for children and adults to learn how to make friends, keep friends and grow.

Brandon and Leah Myers - Second Generation Christian Homeschooling parents of 5, Morrison Archery

"Owning a Small Business and Homeschooling"

Brandon and Leah Myers have been married 15 years. They are Christians and second-generation homeschooling parents to five children.

Because of a strong vision for family and ministry, they set an aggressive goal (shortly after getting married)of being retired by 35. They were blessed to realize that goal two years early.

They started their first small business in 2005. Since then, they've owned or been involved in over 10 small businesses.

Lora Parks - Homeschooling Mother of 5 children ages 11, 9,7,5 and 2

"Homeschooling Multiple Ages and Stages"

Do you struggle with homeschooling multiple children? Have you ever wondered "How am I supposed to cover Math with this many students?"

Come and be encouraged, you CAN homeschool multiple children in multiple stages, yes, even with a toddler! This refreshing session offers practical tips encouraging cooperation, planning and organization,wisdom and a sense of belonging and purpose as Lora shares her journey and encouragement.

Dr. Kelli Sears - Navigating Autism Plus

"Understanding the Jon Peterson Scholarship"

Dr. Kelli Sears is a Nationally Certified School Psychologist (NCSP). She earned her PhD in School Psychology from The Ohio State University. Dr. Sears is dually-licensed in school psychology by the Ohio Board of Psychology and the Ohio Board of Education. She has provided school psychological services to students in grades PreK-12 in public, private, and charter school settings, as well as homeschools.

She has significant experience in the diagnosis and treatment of educationally-related disabilities, with particular focus on emotional disturbances, learning disabilities, trauma, and autism. Dr. Sears has received a multitude of awards and recognition within her field, which serve as a testament to her high standards of professionalism.

Drason and Amanda Sillin - Moderator (Drason) and Co-Director (Amanda) of Excellence in Learning Community Co-op

Drason - "A Father's Perspective on Homeschooling"

Amanda - "Homeschooling High School" and "High School Record Keeping"

Married 19 years with three sons (two in high school and one home school graduate), Drason and Amanda enjoy meeting other homeschooling families in their journey.

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 who is wondering if homeschooling is right for your family, come to this session!

Amanda encourages homeschooling families that they CAN home school through high school. Get How-to advice and answers to common questions about diplomas and transcripts as well as resources for developing a plan for high school and creating high school records.

Adam Sparks - Central Ohio Technical College Admissions Representative

"High School Options"

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.