How to Get Started: Building Your Foundation
You’ve made your decision to keep them home. Now what? It may seem like an overwhelming task to get started but The Old Schoolhouse® family is here to help you get started. Learn more about budgeting, finding curriculum and surrounding yourself with a community of homeschoolers.
Here’s what’s coming for Day 2 of the The How to Start Homeschooling with The Old Schoolhouse® event on August 9 beginning at 1:00 p.m. ET:
- Session 1: Keep Them Home
- Session 2: Deciding on Your Budget
- Session 3: Deciding on Curriculum
- Session 4: Creating Your Learning Environment
- Q&A
- Giveaways
Meet Our Speakers for the Day
Heather Vogler, Affiliate Manager
Heather Vogler, her husband, and five children call the Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia home where they homeschool and homestead. Heather has homeschooled her children from the beginning and enjoys an eclectic style of teaching. As a freelance writer she has been published in Focus on the Family Magazine, War Cry Magazine, and Brio Magazine. Heather holds a BA in Christian Ministries and currently works at The Old Schoolhouse® as the Affiliate Manager.
Dara Ekanger, Writer/Editor
Dara Ekanger is a homeschooling mother of three, one soon to graduate college who is engaged to be married. A homeschool graduate herself, she has two BA degrees and has been a writer and copy editor for almost thirty years. She loves to encourage parents that they can successfully educate their children at home, and those strong-willed kids will eventually grow up to bring you joy if you trust the Lord and don’t give up.
Gena Suarez, Publisher of The Old Schoolhouse® Magazine
Publishers Paul and Gena Suarez, who reside in eastern Tennessee with their family, have homeschooled their seven children since 1990. They embrace and promote the biblical philosophy that “homeschooling” is not so much about schooling/education, as it is about discipleship—bringing up our children “in the nurture and admonition of the Lord” (Eph. 6:4). The Suarez family wishes to share this vision around the world as they publish the trade magazine for homeschool families, The Old Schoolhouse® Magazine. They can be reached at publisher@theoldschoolhouse.com
Charlotte Gochnauer, Network Team Manager and Assistant to the Director of Sales
Charlotte lives in Northern California with her best friend, who happens to be her husband of 28 years. She’s a second generation homeschooler who just finished teaching high school to her youngest. Her son and three daughters were homeschooled all their lives and have gone to college and beyond. When not spending time with her husband, children and grandchildren she enjoys cooking, traveling, scuba diving and being with her church family.
Kristin Stewart, Writer for The Canadian Schoolhouse
Kristin is a former teacher who now homeschools her two daughters, ages 8 and 6. She has lived many places in Canada due to both her teaching and being an RCMP wife. She blogs at From Kristin and is passionate about helping mothers feel equipped to educate their children. She is a homeschool consultant for those who are just starting out or struggling to choose a curriculum. She loves reading and traveling and actively posts on her Instagram.
Barbori Streibl, Homeschooling with Heart Blog Manager
A homeschool graduate based in Alberta, Barbori Garnet is a writer, artist, musician, gardener, and author of Home at the Office: Working Remotely as a Way of Life. She has a BFA in Painting and Drawing and an MA Communications in Public Relations. Barbori began working on staff at The Old Schoolhouse® and The Canadian Schoolhouse in January 2021. Her other interests include reading, tennis, and enjoying cups of tea with family and friends. Her website is BarboriGarnet.com.
Christine Weller, SchoolhouseTeachers.com Marketing Team Manager
With a background in teaching in the public sector, Christine Weller made the decision early on that she would teach her children at home. She has been homeschooling her two boys, 10 and 6, since birth in the lovely province of Ontario, Canada. Through her Weller Mom blog, she writes to encourage moms in their journey of motherhood. She is also the author of two children’s books. She is currently working to support homeschoolers everywhere through the roles of Marketing Team Manager for SchoolhouseTeachers.com and Marketing Assistant for The Canadian Schoolhouse.
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