We wanted to take some time to introduce you to some of the wonderful highlighted speakers that you will have the opportunity to hear while at convention this year.
Rachael Carmen is a wife and mother, and she is passionate about both. She and Davis have been married 24 years and have seven children ranging in age from 7 to 20. Her journey into homeschooling included a bumpy start, but she is thankful for God’s faithfulness and grace in this adventure of a lifetime. Since 2002, Rachael has been on the board of North Carolinians for Home Education, for which Davis serves as administrative vice president. In 2003 she started Real Refreshment Retreats for homeschool moms. Rachael latest book is titled How To Have A Heart for Your Kids (which is published by Apologia).
An educator by training, Debbie Strayer is co-author of the Trail Guide to Learning series, the Learning Language Arts Through Literature Series, co-founder of Homeschooling Today magazine, author of Gaining Confidence to Teach, and editor of The Homeschool Answer Book by Ruth Beechick. A longtime educational consultant, she has been married to Greg for over 33 years, has homeschooled for 16 years and is mother to two homeschool graduates. Debbie speaks and writes, passing along the common-sense approach to education she learned from Ruth Beechick, with whom she co-authors articles and a weekly column for The Old Schoolhouse Magazine.
Mark Hamby is the president of Lamplighter Publishing. He has served as keynote speaker on parenting, marriage, teens, education and biblical studies at conferences and churches throughout the country and abroad. Mark attributes the overwhelming responses to the power of God and His Word, being keenly aware that God’s strength is made perfect in weakness. The uniqueness of Mark’s speaking is that it is so refreshingly transparent. Through laughter and tears, broken men and women leave each session filled with hope and a renewed vision for a Christ like life and a redeemed family.
Bob and Tina Farewell began home educating with the birth of the first of their five children in 1983. Through their business, Lifetime Books and Gifts, the Farewells enjoyed a lifestyle of learning, traveling, exploring, reading, thinking and discovering. Since 1989 the Farewells have traveled around the United States for at least six months each year speaking to thousands of families and hosting retreats, conferences and workshops. After 18 years, Bob and Tina sold Lifetime and founded Bringing Dads Home, a business and ministry designed to help families succeed in their family, homeschooling and entrepreneurial adventures. Three of their children are still learning at home, and they have become grandparents. When not traveling, the Farewell family lives in Lake Wales.
To check out many more of the wonderful speakers planning to share and inspire us during convention, please go to the FPEA convention “highlighted speakers” page. You can also find the titles and times for the various lectures that will be presented so that you can begin marking your calendars now and planning for your convention experience.
I am getting so excited to see everybody at convention. We are so blessed to have so many wonderful speakers!
Rachael,
Your session about joy brought me so much joy – and changed my whole perspective. I am no longer setting the bar at happiness. I plan to share your message with some of my close friends – you are truly an inspiration – and I hope you can bless us all again next year!!!