2023 Speakers

Website

Kathy Koch, Ph.D.

With a passion for being an influence and for helping build strong and healthy families, Dr. Kathy writes (six books and counting) and speaks (a lot and often) on a wide range of topics that are both timeless and current. Her humorous and easy-to-learn-from speaking style, foundational wisdom, and practical and relevant details leave her audiences empowered with strategies to navigate the challenges of raising and teaching children. She warmly speaks to young people and their adults with compassion and understanding, never shying away from tough topics in our current culture. Her messages are always beautifully woven with Biblical truth and hope.

Kathy has influenced thousands of parents, teachers and children in 30 countries through keynote messages, seminars, chapels, banquet talks and other events. She is a regular speaker for Teach Them Diligently, Care Net, Summit Ministries and the Colson Center. She is also a popular guest on Focus on the Family radio, a recurring expert on The Water Cooler with David Brody on America's Voice, and she was featured in Kirk Cameron's movie, Connect. She has also published six books with Moody Publishers, and she's now writing her seventh.

With audiences ranging in age from 10 to 100, Kathy has a unique gift of engaging, entertaining and teaching them all. She attributes much of her excellence to the three degrees she earned from Purdue University, including a Ph.D. in reading and educational psychology. She taught second graders, coached middle schoolers, was a tenured associate professor of education at the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay and finally a school board member before becoming a full-time conference and keynote speaker in 1991.

Dr. Kathy founded Celebrate Kids, Inc., in 1991 and co-founded Ignite the Family in 2018. It is now the conference ministry of Celebrate Kids.

Website

Mike Snavely

Mike Snavely, the son of missionaries, was reared in South Africa in a wildlife-rich area. After graduating from Oak Hills College in Minnesota, he returned to South Africa to work in Kruger National Park. In 1986, he and his wife, Carrie, went to South Africa as missionaries and served with TEAM at Durban Bible College. They home educated their three children. In 1995, he founded Mission Imperative - a ministry of teaching creation-oriented issues through a series of seminars. Mike, an inductee into the Creation Science Hall of Fame, authored Creation or Evolution (a 1st place award winner with Practical Homeschooling). He has produced many DVDs covering various creation-oriented issues, including the Adventures of Ranger Mike series for kids. They also developed two unique excursions: The “Southwest Safari” is a 10-day, flood-oriented trip to the Colorado Plateau, while the “African Wildlife Safari” is a 16-day, creation-oriented tour to South Africa.

Website

Tricia Goyer

Tricia Goyer's writing career began in 1995 - the same year she started homeschooling. Since then, she has authored a wide range of books, including historical fiction, memoirs, parenting and marriage books, and children's books. Some of her popular works include Praying for Your Future Husband, Made With Love and The Grumble-Free Year. She has also contributed to many publications, such as Focus on the Family, Brio and Guideposts.

In addition to writing, Tricia has been married to John for over three decades. Tricia has been homeschooling her children for almost 30 years - with six years still to go - and has become an advocate for the homeschooling community. She shares her experiences and insights on homeschooling through her blog and podcast, The Tricia Goyer Show, and has also written books on homeschooling, including Homeschool Basics.

As a homeschool mom, Tricia believes in instilling faith and values in her children's education. She is passionate about helping other parents provide a God-centered education for their children, and her homeschooling resources and books have inspired and encouraged many families.

Overall, Tricia is a prolific writer, homeschool mom and advocate for family and faith. Her dedication to her family and her passion for writing and homeschooling have made her a respected and influential figure in the Christian community. Tricia also trains writers at WriteThatBook.Club and co-hosts the Daily Bible Podcast.

Website

Kevin Boden

Kevin and his wife, Wendi, became homeschooling parents in 2008, when their oldest child was in first grade. Now, many years later, they continue to educate all their children at home.

Kevin is a graduate of Wheaton College (IL) and received his J.D. from Seattle University. Prior to joining HSLDA, Kevin served on active duty in the US Air Force for ten years as a Judge Advocate, allowing him and Wendi to homeschool in three different countries and five states. Kevin has served three years in the Alaska Air National Guard and continues his service as a drill-status Guardsman.

As Staff Attorney, Kevin serves as the primary contact for members in twelve states. He is passionate about the freedom to homeschool and the blessings of being a dad. He also enjoys running, (almost) all things outdoors and spending time with his family.

Website

Kristin Lackie

Kristin Lackie is a homeschool parent and educator. She and her husband live in Minnesota and are currently homeschooling their four children who span the middle and high school years. With an in-the-trenches perspective, Kristin brings humor and reality to what can sometimes feel like a daunting task – homeschooling all the way to graduation day. Committed to saving both money and time, Kristin presents practical but often overlooked strategies to graduate college debt-free through credit-by-exam options and dual enrollment, utilizing every available opportunity to maximize the middle and high school experience while casting a vision for college and beyond. By helping families evaluate academic goals and career direction, Kristin is committed to educating and equipping both students and families to build a strong spiritual and scholastic foundation from which students can launch positioned to act on the Lord's call.

Website

Nancy Bjorkman

After years of being a homeschool skeptic, Nancy began homeschooling her four children in 1992. Now, after over 30 years, she has become known as the Homeschool Mom Whisperer for many and a champion of the cause. She has spoken at homeschool conferences in over ten states where she is known for her enthusiasm, energy and encouragement. She finds joy in empowering parents to join the journey of homeschooling. Though she stays busy as a bookstore owner, mentor and speaker, her favorite times are spent with her growing family (grandkids - yeah!). She and her husband own HEPPNER'S LEGACY, a homeschool store in Elk River, MN, where they delight in ministering to the unique needs of families year-round, and where parents say, "Come for the books. Stay for the Therapy.™"