Preconference Tracks

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, 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.

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.

After getting his Bachelor of Arts in Music from the University of Notre Dame in South Bend, Indiana, Michael Ury worked in the music field for several years and then directed his efforts towards the computer industry. He has held positions as a computer trainer, programmer and director as well has having his own computer consulting business for seven years. To help balance the sometimes myopic world of computers, Michael has continued to pursue his love of entertainment and public speaking. Along with his stand-up comedy, Michael has also presented his unique brand of public speaking to corporations and to teen groups. Most recently, Michael was the President of his local Toastmasters club and took first place at their regional speaking event.

Event activities / Sessions:

Jim and Julie Walter were introduced to home education in 1988. With the assistance of MACHE, they started their homeschool journey when their oldest child was four years old. Over the years, their four oldest children have graduated from their private, independent homeschool. Their oldest child is now married and lives in England. The next two are attending college while the fourth is starting her photography business. Jim and Julie continue to home educate their five other children – their youngest is nine years old. 

It is their desire to encourage and assist families that have chosen to home educate their children. They are board members in a homeschool support group (REACH) in the Moorhead, Minnesota, area. They were MACHE liaisons for the northwestern part of the state until they joined the MACHE Board of Directors in November of 2011.

Jim is a graduate of the University of Wisconsin-Stout in Menomonie and has worked in the telecommunications field since his graduation. He has held the position of President/CEO of a telecommunications company in Moorhead since 1999. He also serves on several boards in the communications field. During the first five years of their marriage, Julie worked as a receptionist, secretary, and tutor for children in a public school. When their first child was born, she chose to stay home and ran a home day care for five years.

Their family has lived on a hobby ranch near Pelican Rapids for the past twelve years.

Event activities / Sessions:

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.