I’m on my way to Nashville tomorrow to attend the Teach Them Diligently Convention (TTD). There are many reasons I love TTD — it’s focus on discipleship among them — but the one I want to share today — the SPEAKERS!
Being able to get away for a weekend to be encouraged and refreshed in my homeschool journey is such a blessing. I want to make sure I take advantage of every possible moment to be fed Truth about my role as a wife, mom and homeschool teacher. Every time I attend a homeschool convention, I pray ahead of time for a focus. I feel that this year, my focus needs to be more about building a strong relationship with Ben, guiding him more toward those things which are of eternal value, and beginning to prepare to teach high school. To that end — here are the speakers (and the specific workshops) I plan to hear above all others (even it means I have to buy the recordings):
Dennis Gundersen (Grace and Truth Books)
Building a Good Conscience in Your Child — What is the conscience of a child, and how can you train it to be sensitive, think biblically, and respond rightly? Every child is born with a conscience, but it can become weak, damaged, and even seared without biblical, parental guidance. Learn how to make your child wise and strong!
Kindling a Passion for Missions in a Child’s Heart — One of the best ways to elevate your children’s minds and focus out of “their own little world,” is to help them see that the world is a harvest of souls in need of the Gospel. Missions trips – even short ones – can bear fruit in unspeakably powerful ways in their lives. Dennis can show you how to make it a profitable experience that they look back on with joy and gladness
Hal & Melanie Young (Great Waters Press)
Skipping Adolescence — The Bible doesn’t describe anything that looks like American teenage culture. Why should we chase after that adolescent holding pattern when the Word offers a richer and more exciting future for young adults? Hal and Melanie Young offer practical experience and Biblical balance to help you move your children into the ranks of young men and young women, from coming of age to life on their own!
Norm Wakefield (Spirit of Elijah Ministries)
Living from an Eternal Perspective: The Key to Wisdom — Learn how to live in Heaven while you are on the Earth.
The Power of Humility in Parenting — Discover how to walk humbly with God and your children to increase your value to your children.
Mark Hamby (Lamplighter Ministries)
Raise Them Up, Don’t Crush Them Down — Children need to hear the beating of our hearts rather than the beating of our voices. Mark relates his experience as a shepherd and the important lesson that you don’t become a shepherd just because you own sheep.
Passionate Pursuit of Excellence — We will look at the assessment of a child’s natural abilities and the instructive insights that are necessary to cultivate in each child. This seminar promises to be an eye opener for all ages—in more ways than you expect!
Sonya Shafer (Simply Charlotte Mason)
Laying Down the Rails: The Power of Good Habits in Your Home School — Want to know the secret to smooth and easy days? Come discover the power of good habits in your home school.
Terri Johnson (Knowledge Quest)
Facing the Giant: Homeschooling through High School — How do you impart to a child a love for serving others in the family and beyond? This Christ-imitating attitude – crucial for family happiness – is something you can see developed in your children.
Deb Bell (Apologia)
Education by Design: Understanding God’s Blueprint for Your Child — The human brain is the most complex creation in the universe, and we are hard-wired by God to learn. In the same way aerobic exercise keeps our hearts healthy, intellectual activity keeps our brains healthy. This session gives parents an overview of how our brains process and organize information and the individual differences we should recognize and accommodate in each of our kids.
We will look at ways to build conceptual understanding and talk about the three essential ingredients necessary for optimal learning. By the end of the session, you will have a deeper understanding of God’s eternal purposes in His design of each of your children and how they learn best.
Carol Barnier (CarolBarnier.com)
Don’t Miss the Gift in Your Child — Have you ever heard someone say, “All children are gifts from God”, only to roll your eyes and think, “Ha! They don’t know what goes on in my house!” If you don’t look for God’s gifts, you may be missing some of His best. Come laugh and be encouraged to see just what God had in mind when he designed your child. Learn how to see your child through God’s spectacles and how to stay focused on God’s vision of your child, not the world’s.
17 Years of Homeschooling and I Hardly Twitch at All — Homeschooling’s tough – there’s no doubt about it. So how do we survive? How can we thrive? And what should we say when the 300th person pulls out the exact same box of questions about homeschooling? Come hear this 20-year veteran of homeschooling, who will have you laughing as she shares how to relax and enjoy the ride. Put your seat belts on!
Jeannie Fullbright (Apologia)
College Crash Course — Rumors abound. Some purport that colleges love homeschoolers; others warn that you need to accredit. The truth is, there is a lot of misinformation in the homeschool community. Indeed, going from homeschool to college does involve jumping through hoops. Jeannie Fulbright is here to share what those hoops are.
Todd Friel (Wretched Radio/TV)
Chick Chat: For Women Only (Except the Speaker) — You don’t have to be a woman to worry about the future, but it does seem to be one of your specialties. How can a mom keep her eye on the future without having anxiety? The Bible has your answer.
Zan Tyler (Apologia)
The Best Years of All: Homeschooling in High School — Most of us dread homeschooling during the high school years because it seems so overwhelming. The challenge of preparing our children for college, career, and life is daunting. But the high school years can be the best years of all—by far the most rewarding and enjoyable. Come to this workshop and find out why!
You can find the schedule for all of the speaker workshops on the Teach Them Diligently website. Find your favorite companies in the vendor hall, too.
Will you be in Nashville this weekend? I hope to see you there. If you see me, please do come and speak to me. I’d love to give you a hug and a word of encouragement!
