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Becky Cooke

Becky Cooke and her husband Jim home educated their three children from kindergarten until college using an eclectic assortment of teaching resources. She enjoys using these skills to equip parents to successfully teach their children through the high school years and to encourage them to enjoy doing so.

After sending her children off to university, Becky helped develop HSLDA’s Homeschooling Through High School program, including...

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Becky Cooke and her husband Jim home educated their three children from kindergarten until college using an eclectic assortment of teaching resources. She enjoys using these skills to equip parents to successfully teach their children through the high school years and to encourage them to enjoy doing so.

After sending her children off to university, Becky helped develop HSLDA’s Homeschooling Through High School program, including its high school website. She brings a wealth of experience and friendly advice to share with families who are navigating these challenging, yet exciting years. She ministers to families as she speaks at homeschool meetings and conferences. She co-authors articles on high school topics as well as writes brochures and a monthly high school email newsletter which reach homeschooling families nationwide. In addition, Becky provides personal consultation and a listening ear to HSLDA members with homeschool questions and concerns along with information and direction on college admission and testing.

In her “spare” time, she edits books, articles, and magazines for several authors and publishers; is active in Precepts upon Precepts Bible Study, and mentors international collegiate women studying in the Washington, D. C. area. She also serves on the board of Breakthrough Intercessors Prayer Ministry.

Event activities / Sessions:

Thursday, April 12th, 2012

12:30PM

01:30PM

Developing a Plan for High School...

Speaker(s):
Becky Cooke
How do you plan a program for your high school homeschooler? What subjects do you teach and when? Do you follow a basic high school plan, a general college prep plan, or a rigorous college prep plan? How do you evaluate credits? Determine grades for a course? What about the need for a transcript and diploma? If you are just beginning to think about homeschooling during the high school years, this seminar will help you organize your thoughts and begin laying the groundwork for a viable four-year plan.
Thursday, April 12th, 2012

03:00PM

04:00PM

Important Pit Stops during High School

Speaker(s):
Becky Cooke
For preventative maintenance during the high school years, learn what important “to-dos” and deadlines to keep in mind. Major pit stops will include information about various tests, benefits and sources of outside classes, college search and application tips, alternatives to traditional college, and career and post high school paths.

Phil Downer

Phil Downer, a former machine gunner who served in Viet Nam with the United States Marine Corps in 1967 and 1968, received a Bachelor of Business Administration from Southern Methodist University in 1972 and a Juris Doctor from Emory University School of Law in 1975. Phil was a successful lawyer before being led to Christ and discipled by fellow professionals. He left his position as one of the senior partners of a 50-...

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Phil Downer, a former machine gunner who served in Viet Nam with the United States Marine Corps in 1967 and 1968, received a Bachelor of Business Administration from Southern Methodist University in 1972 and a Juris Doctor from Emory University School of Law in 1975. Phil was a successful lawyer before being led to Christ and discipled by fellow professionals. He left his position as one of the senior partners of a 50-attorney law firm to serve as President of Christian Business Men’s Committee (CBMC) for a decade. Phil is on the Steering Committee of the National Coalition of Men’s Ministries, a former elder of his church, and a member of CBMC.

Phil currently serves as President of Discipleship Network of America (DNA). DNA is a nationwide network of people who are committed to following Christ’s example of winning and discipling others to become disciple makers. This Spiritual reproductive ministry emanates from the lives of people who focus on Christ in their work, marriage, family, neighborhood, and church. In April of 2007, the National Coalition of Men’s Ministries gave DNA the Ministry of the Year Award.

He is the author of Eternal Impact: Investing in the Lives of Others; A Father’s Reward - Raising Your Children to Walk in the Truth; and Brave, Strong, and Tender, a book that details how this Viet Nam veteran learned to transfer his leadership from the battlefield to his home, to his law practice, and, eventually, to running a nationwide ministry. He and his wife coauthored Unlimited Partnership: Building Intimacy & Teamwork into Your Marriage.  Phil edited and coauthored Effective Men’s Ministry.

Phil’s wife Susy, also an attorney, served as Assistant Corporate Secretary and legal counsel for Delta Air Lines for ten years. She resigned her position in 1985 to devote full time to their six children whom she has homeschooled throughout their education.

Phil will be presenting our two Keynote addresses and, along with his wife Susy, son Paul, and daughter and son-in-law Anna and Sam Youngs, will be bringing several of our conference workshops this year. This family has an amazing story to share.

Event activities / Sessions:

Thursday, April 12th, 2012

09:00AM

11:00AM

Legal Leadership, Godliness, and Choosing Your Battles

Speaker(s):
Phil Downer
This is not a briefing on the law, but I will be addressing how to take the high ground as homeschool lawyers, including the pitfalls and traps that make us ineffective and the essentials by which we can impact, guide and change our world for Jesus Christ. This is a "By Invitation Only" workshop. There are no handouts for this workshop.

Mary James

Mary James and her husband Lee live in Bastrop County, Texas, where they home educate their eight children. They have been homeschooling since 1989 and expect to be homeschooling for many years to come.

In 1999, Mary co-founded an organization called Smoothing the Way, which seeks to satisfy the needs of new home educators during their first year of homeschooling. Currently, Mary serves on the Texas Home School Coalition Board of...

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Mary James and her husband Lee live in Bastrop County, Texas, where they home educate their eight children. They have been homeschooling since 1989 and expect to be homeschooling for many years to come.

In 1999, Mary co-founded an organization called Smoothing the Way, which seeks to satisfy the needs of new home educators during their first year of homeschooling. Currently, Mary serves on the Texas Home School Coalition Board of Directors and continues her popular speaking ministry at several homeschool conferences each year.

In her workshops, Mary draws not only from her personal experience as a homeschooling mom, but also from her many years of working with those families new to this lifestyle. Much of what she presents will also encourage home education parents who have been at it a while, but just need some review and encouragement. Speaking from her heart with warmth and humor, she encourages her listeners to face the often daunting task of educating their children at home.

Event activities / Sessions:

Thursday, April 12th, 2012

12:30PM

01:30PM

Getting off to a Great Start

Speaker(s):
Mary James
This workshop will help you to begin those first steps in home educating and to set realistic goals for yourself and your children. Home education is not an educational choice; it is a lifestyle of learning. Mary will discuss common mistakes, burnout, and changes that might need to be made.
Thursday, April 12th, 2012

01:30PM

02:30PM

Understanding How Your Child Learns

Speaker(s):
Mary James
What is your child’s learning style?   What is a learning modality? How can knowing your child’s love language help you to be a better teacher? Developing a better understanding of how your child is designed will help you to establish a more successful learning environment. From choosing curricula to choosing activities, you will make better decisions for your child when you are making choices according to your child’s needs.
Thursday, April 12th, 2012

03:00PM

04:00PM

Organizing Your School Time

Speaker(s):
Mary James
Many new home educators have the vision to homeschool, but just don’t know where to start. This practical workshop will help you to look at the natural rhythm of your family and to know how to establish your school schedule accordingly. Mary will discuss making lesson plans, coordinating homeschool with household chores, and organizing your time to make it go farther.  She will also cover yearly scheduling, daily scheduling, lesson plans, outside activities, cooking tips, and more.
Thursday, April 12th, 2012

04:00PM

05:00PM

Questions/Answers for Your First Class - Panel

Speaker(s):
Jim Brinker, Mary James, Jim and Julie Walter, David Watkins
Jim Brinker, MÂCHÉ Board member, will moderate this interactive workshop. Home educating our children is a new concept for many and is most likely ‘bringing to mind’ many questions - and unknowns - that need answers. Take advantage of the wisdom and experience of those who have home educated their own children and have been answering questions like these for many, many years. Panel members are Mary James, Sheila Bein, Jim and Julie Walter, and David Watkins. There are no handouts for this workshop.

Diane Kummer

Diane Kummer and her husband Tom home educated their two children from kindergarten through 12th grade using a variety of teaching options. The Kummers’ daughter has completed her master’s degree in government and their son earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in communications and public relations.

As an HSLDA High School Coordinator, Diane regularly speaks at homeschool conferences, writes articles and brochures on high...

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Diane Kummer and her husband Tom home educated their two children from kindergarten through 12th grade using a variety of teaching options. The Kummers’ daughter has completed her master’s degree in government and their son earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in communications and public relations.

As an HSLDA High School Coordinator, Diane regularly speaks at homeschool conferences, writes articles and brochures on high school topics, and has a heart to inspire moms in their teaching. “The joy and grace of the Lord are available—and He has provided many avenues of care and help along the way,” she says. She provides personal consultation to HSLDA members and encourages parents to keep going and to enjoy teaching high school!

During her homeschooling years, Diane coordinated events, activities, and support meetings for her church’s 190-plus homeschooling families while developing a program that provided evaluation of credits, diplomas, and transcripts for high school families.

Along with songwriters, singers, and actresses from her church, Diane was involved in two videos created by the FunnyMoms to encourage and uplift homeschooling mothers. Her love for math is evident as she continues to teach high school-level math classes for home educated students.

Event activities / Sessions:

Thursday, April 12th, 2012

01:30PM

02:30PM

High School Transcript Clinic and Recordkeeping Help

Speaker(s):
Diane Kummer
Creating a high school transcript is easy yet a vital part of your child’s high school records. In this interactive, practical seminar you’ll create a transcript that can be used as a pattern when designing your own. We’ll guide you through transcript essentials, evaluation of credit, grading guidelines and scales, and calculation of grade point averages (GPA’s). In addition, you’ll receive sample transcripts depicting other formats for you to consider.
Thursday, April 12th, 2012

04:00PM

05:00PM

You Can Homeschool...If You Can Make It through Tomorrow

Speaker(s):
Diane Kummer
As a parent homeschooling a teen (or thinking about homeschooling high school in the future), you may have your doubts about your ability…and your sanity. Are you weighed down by the seriousness of high school? Is it too hard and no fun? Come for a lighthearted approach to homeschooling the high school years and find out how it can be filled with much hope and help…and joy.

Kim Ury

Kim Ury is MÂCHÉ’s Special Needs Coordinator and an educational special needs consultant. She has a Master’s of Arts degree in Adlerian Counseling and Psychotherapy with an emphasis in Marriage & Family Therapy.  Her background is in life coaching, tutoring and teaching social skills. Her primary role is homeschooling her teenage son who has Aspergers. Kim co-leads a homeschool support group in the...

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Kim Ury is MÂCHÉ’s Special Needs Coordinator and an educational special needs consultant. She has a Master’s of Arts degree in Adlerian Counseling and Psychotherapy with an emphasis in Marriage & Family Therapy.  Her background is in life coaching, tutoring and teaching social skills. Her primary role is homeschooling her teenage son who has Aspergers. Kim co-leads a homeschool support group in the southeast metro and leads a special needs support group in Woodbury. With over a decade of experience, Kim is passionate about helping people succeed. She actively advocates for every person who crosses her path. She offers hope, realistic goals and practical solutions. Kim enjoys gardening, reading, and volunteering.

Event activities / Sessions:

Thursday, April 12th, 2012

01:30PM

02:30PM

Realistic Homeschooling for Those with Special Needs Children

Speaker(s):
Kim Ury
Traditional curriculum may not work for your child and with the multitude of options out there, it’s difficult to know what to choose. Learn about modifying curriculum, making accommodations on tests and adapting the environment to make your child successful. See examples of specialized curriculum, assistive technology and practical solutions.  
Thursday, April 12th, 2012

03:00PM

04:00PM

The Importance of Social Skills

Speaker(s):
Kim Ury
Rigid behaviors, meltdowns, and social anxiety can make friendships difficult to achieve. How can your child successfully participate in homeschool co-ops, classes and field trips? What are the best techniques to teach social skills? What are friendship groups and can they really help your child? Learn why knowing the “social rules” isn’t enough and how to end the isolation while developing meaningful friendships.  
Thursday, April 12th, 2012

04:00PM

05:00PM

Special Needs Panel

Speaker(s):
Michael Ury, Kim Ury, Peggy Ployhar, John Tuma
This interactive workshop will be moderated by Michael Ury, husband of Kim, MÂCHÉ's Special Needs Coordinator. Here is an opportunity to ask questions and have them answered by a panel of homeschooling parents who are quite experienced in working with children who struggle to learn. To submit questions ahead of time, email them to Kim Ury, at kim@mache.org.  Panel members are Kim Ury, Peggy Ployhar, and John Tuma. There are no handouts for this workshop.