SPEAKERS & WORKSHOPS




Our conference  offers an exceptional line-up of speakers with workshops covering a wide variety of topics related to your homeschooling efforts.

We invite conference speakers who present messages of hope and encouragement along with plenty of practical ideas and insight to help you teach, nurture, and develop the gifts in your child.

You'll leave our conference refreshed, re-energized, strengthened, inspired, and full of fresh ideas for your year ahead.

Check out our exciting 2024 Conference featured speaker line-up below! We're lining up some fantastic additional speakers, too, and will be revealing them here in the coming weeks. 

CONFERENCE SCHEDULE

WORKSHOP DESCRIPTIONS

WORKSHOP DESCRIPTIONS
CONFERENCE WORKSHOP DESCRIPTIONS

On return visits, refresh your browser for the newest versions.
Small scheduling changes have been made as recently as 6/11/24.

2024 FEATURED Speakers

Click on each featured speaker photo to view biographical information.

GINGER
HUBBARD

gingerhubbard.com

GINGER'S Workshops

• Taming Your
Child's Tongue
• A Biblical Model
for Discipline
• Reaching the
Heart of your Child
• How to Parent
Without Provoking
Your Children to Anger


JIM
MASON

hslda.org

Jim's Workshops

• From Fringe to Movement
to Enduring Institution
• Note to Self:
The Vital Role of
Homeschooling Dads


Kim
Sorgius Jones

notconsumed.com

KIM'S Workshops

• Secrets to Cultivating a Life-giving Family Culture
• Get Off the Couch: Helping Kids Become Disciplined Workers
• How to Create YOUR Perfect Homeschool Schedule
• How To Teach Your Child To Learn Independently
• The Once-a-Year Plan: Taking the Overwhelm Out of Homeschool Planning
• How To Help Your Kids Live #NotConsumed in Today’s Culture

2024 Workshop Speakers

Rory Groves, Homeschool Iowa Conference Speaker

RORY GROVES

Rory Groves is a former technology consultant and founder of multiple software businesses.

Several years ago he moved his family from the city to the country to begin the journey towards a more durable way of life.

Rory and his wife Becca now reside in southern Minnesota where they farm, raise livestock, host workshops, and homeschool their six children.

He is author of Durable Trades: Family-Centered Economies That Have Stood the Test of Time, and director of Gather & Grow, a nonprofit ministry dedicated to rebuilding the family economy.

RORY'S Workshops

• The Family as It Was Designed to Work
• Purpose over Paychecks: Career Considerations for Your Student*
• Homesteading as a School Subject
• Youth Can Do Hard Things: Instilling a Work Ethic In Your Children Before It's Too Late
• Father’s Day: Vision and Provision

Homeschooling High School Special Track Workshop

Kerry Beck, Homeschool Iowa Conference Speaker

Kerry Beck

Kerry Beck homeschooled her three children for ten years, and they're all adults now, raising their own families.

She shares the lessons she's learned in homeschooling and fun ways to help your kids to love learning. 

Kerry hosts a podcast, Homeschool Coffee Break and two annual events, Homeschool Super Heroes Week each July and Life Skills Leadership Summit each February.

KERRY'S WORKSHOPS

• 4 Steps to Raising Christian Leaders in Your Homeschool
• Teach Your Kids How to Think the Charlotte Mason Way {from Elementary to High School Years}
• How Charlotte Mason Helped Me Simplify My Homeschool
• How to Control the Chaos and Clutter of Homeschooling
• 3 Tips to Homeschool Multiple Ages … at the Same Time

CLICK HERE for Handouts

Peggy Ployhar, Homeschool Iowa Conference Speaker

PEGGY PLOYHAR

Peggy Ployhar is the founder and CEO of SPED Homeschool and the main host of Empowering Homeschool Conversations, a popular live broadcast and podcast that addresses relevant issues related to homeschooling diverse learners.

She is a breast cancer survivor, the owner of Eternal Aerial Arts, and an aerial arts instructor and performer.

She and her husband, Doug, live in League City, Texas,and, after 19 years of homeschooling, have now graduated all three of their children from their home school.

PEGGY'S Workshops

• Biblical Encouragement for the Special Needs Parent
• Overcoming Doubt – Your Greatest Homeschool Enemy
• Busy Parent Self-Care Strategies
• Women’s Morning Workout and Worship
• Flipping Special Education Homeschooling
• Homeschooling Your Struggling Learner with Confidence
• Hands-On Workshop for Using Unit Studies Through High School

Scott Woodruff, Homeschool Iowa Conference Speaker
Scott Woodruff

Scott Woodruff, a follower of Christ since his conversion in 1971, earned his juris doctor degree from the University of Virginia in 1980. He's worked for HSLDA since 1998, assisting thousands of home educating families in dealings with social workers, police officers, truant officers, principals, superintendents, and prosecuting attorneys.

Scott has represented HSLDA members in court and has appeared before many state legislatures to fight against repressive homeschool legislation.

He is a frequent speaker at homeschool conferences and on radio programs across the country.

Scott and his wife, Jane, homeschooled all three of their children.

Scott's Workshops

• Homeschooling with Confidence: Understanding Iowa's Homeschool Law*
• Parenting with Grace

* Beginning Homeschooling Special Track Workshop

Nancy Bjorkman, Homeschool Iowa Conference Speaker
Nancy Bjorkman

Nancy began as the ultimate homeschool skeptic. Now, after 20+ years teaching her own four children, she has become the “go-to lady” for many and a champion of the cause.

She's a certified teacher and has spoken at homeschool conferences in over 10 states where she is known for her enthusiasm, energy, and encouragement.

Having graduated all of her children, Nancy finds it exciting to have graduated herself to being a mentor for other homeschool families.

She and her husband own HEPPNER’S LEGACY, a homeschool store in Elk River, MN, where they delight in ministering to the unique needs of families year round, and where parents say, “Come for the books. Stay for the therapy.™”

Nancy's Workshops

• Exploring Learning Styles for More Effective Instruction*
• Engaging Early Learners
• Homeschooling: The BIG Picture

* Beginning Homeschooling Special Track Workshop

CLICK HERE for Handouts

Mandee Hamaan, Homeschool Iowa Conference Speaker

Mandee Hamaan

Mandee Hamann is a businesswoman and former Early Childhood and  Elementary pastor with an additional 10+ years of youth ministry experience alongside her husband, Jeremy.

She is mom to three teenagers, and after her own family struggled with toxic screen issues, she was introduced to ScreenStrong.

The ScreenStrong lifestyle changed everything for her family. Mandee became a ScreenStrong Ambassador and is committed to spreading this powerful message.

She occasionally guest hosts on the ScreenStrong Families Podcast and is a member of the ScreenStrong team as the Ambassador Liaison.

She enjoys training & equipping Ambassadors from all over the globe to spread ScreenStrong's solutions to screen conflicts in the home.

MANDEE'S Workshops

• Kids' Brains and Screens
• You Are More Than Your Screen*

Teen Track Workshop

Dr. Joe O'Tool, Homeschool Iowa Conference Speaker
Dr. JOE O'TOOL

Dr. Joe O'Tool is the founder of Lifestream Brain + Body Clinic ('13).

He began his career as a Doctor of Chiropractic and is now one of only three Board-Certified Functional Neurologists in the state of Iowa. He and his team focus on all things brain related, including concussion prevention and recovery, helping kids with learning/behavior/development concerns, and more common concerns like dizziness, vertigo, brain fog and healthy aging. 

Dr, Joe is passionate about neuroscience, overall health, and changing lives. He and his wife, Angie, also have a passion for homeschooling (fun fact - they were both homeschooled!) and love how doing so allows them to experience life together as a family.

They are active members in their local church and love hearing how God works in the lives of His people all over the world. The O'Tools also serve as members of the Homeschool Iowa Board.

DR. JOE'S WorkshopS
  • The Slow Brain & The Fast Brain
  • The Split Brain: Right Brain and Left Brain for the Student and Teacher
Dr. Joe O'Tool, Homeschool Iowa Conference Speaker

Nick Reddin

A 25-year veteran in technology services, Nick Reddin specializes in driving technical innovation, agile transformation, and operational efficiencies for Fortune 500 companies.

Nick combines deep technical expertise with a futurist's perspective, enabling him to bridge the gap between current realities and disruptive workforce trends on the horizon. He is a highly sought-after consultant, advising leaders on how to adapt their people, processes, and technologies to thrive in the face of AI, workflow automation, and digital disruption.

Blending real-world knowledge and experience with visionary thinking, Nick empowers enterprises to gain a competitive edge by getting future-ready. 

Nick and his wife, Dana, homeschooled their six chioldren for two dozen years, and they currently serve as members of the Homeschool Iowa Board of Directors. 

NICK'S Workshop
  • Embracing AI:
    A Homeschooler's Guide
Jenny Conner, Homeschool Iowa Conference Speaker

Jenny Conner

Jenny and her husband, Jake, knew they would homeschool the children the Lord gave them even while she pursued her BA in education. She graduated summa cum laude from the University of Northern Iowa with an education degree along with minors in Mathematics, English/Language Arts, and Reading.

Grateful for the Charlotte Mason philosophy of education, she continues to be nourished and grow in this beautiful way of learning...and living. They have been blessed with five boys: one married, one wrapping up his senior year, and three more aged 15, 12, and 8.

Twice monthly they gather with other families as the Living Stones Co-op to share a portion of the feast together; Jenny facilitates poetry. As a family they enjoy the outdoors, gardening, experimenting in the kitchen, playing games, showing hospitality, and ministering in their local church.

Jenny finds great pleasure in helping others see truth, beauty, and goodness in the "mountainous land" of Mathematics. She has 25+ years of tutoring experience, is a speaker at homeschool retreats, and enjoys encouraging families in their math journey as occasions arise. She is thankful for the opportunity to serve as the Rhetoric School Faculty Advisor alongside teaching Algebra II and Trigonometry in a living way to students at Two Rivers Classical Academy.

Jenny'S Workshops

• Laying a Foundation of Mathematical Reasoning
• How to Breathe Life Into High School Mathematics

Jose Lopez, Homeschool Iowa Conference Speaker

Jose Lopez

Jose Lopez has over eight years of experience in higher education at community colleges and universities.

He has worked in various departments including Career Development, College Advising, Dual Credit, and Apprenticeship Studies. In addition, Jose has over five years of corporate sales experience and is a Society of Human Resources Certified Professional.

As the Discover Your WIN,  “What is Next” owner, and WIN Coach, Jose is passionate about helping homeschool students learn more about careers while developing goals and plans for after their home school education.

Jose lives in Ankeny, IA with his wife Lindsy and together they homeschool their two boys Xavier (9) and Isaac (6).

Jose's Workshops
  • Help Your Child Discover Their WIN

CLICK HERE for Handout

Becca Groves, Homeschool Iowa Conference Speaker

Becca Groves

Becca Groves is a wife of Rory and a mother of six children (ages 1-13) with a passion for helping women see the high calling of our daily work.

The Groves family founded Gather & Grow, a ministry dedicated to rebuilding the family economy and encouraging productive households. They spend their days homesteading, homeschooling and hosting workshops on their farm in southern Minnesota.

BECCA's Workshop
  • Our Daily Bread: A Demonstration Workshop on Bread-Making
Jeremy Vos, Homeschool Iowa Conference Speaker

JEREMY VOS

Jeremy Vos serves as the Homeschool Iowa Lobbyist. He and his wife, Jodi, are also Homeschool Iowa Board Members.

Jeremy and Jodi have been married for over two decades and have four children, two of whom they are still homeschooling.

They have been active in their local homeschool group and are now serving as our Homeschool Iowa Capitol Day coordinators. 

JEREMY'S Workshop
  • Protecting Homeschool Freedom in Iowa

Diana Plorins, Homeschool Iowa Conference Speaker

Diana Plorins

Diana Plorins serves as the Homeschool Iowa Regional Representative for Region 14, the Polk County area. She and her husband, Jim, have homeschooled three children through high school.  They recently adopted two young children and began a second season of homeschooling.

Diana and Jim were initially reluctant about homeschooling.  Over time (and through speakers at H.I. conferences), they realized God’s desire for them to use homeschooling as a means for discipling their children.  They have now been homeschooling for fifteen years.   

Diana has provided leadership as a support group board member.  As a Regional Representative, she provides guidance for homeschool families and presents workshops for homeschool groups.  Diana hopes to encourage and equip families, so they can confidently homeschool through high school.  

You can find her website here.

DIANA'S Workshop

• Homeschooling High School, Part 1*
• Homeschooling High School, Part 2*

Homeschooling High School Special Track Workshop

Mark Davis, Homeschool Iowa Conference Speaker

MARK DAVIS

Mark serves as the Vice President of Enrollment at Faith Baptist Bible College in Ankeny, Iowa.

He enjoys spending time with his family, hunting, fishing, mentoring college students, and speaking to teens.  Mark and his wife, Erin, have four children.

MARK'S Workshop

• Bringing Clarity to Your Calling: Decision Making and the Will of God*

*Teen Track Workshop


Brian Davis, Homeschool Iowa Conference Speaker

Brian Davis

Brian and his wife, Paula, live in Pella, Iowa.  He and Paula have pastored over 25 years.

They are the primary presenters at Developing Great Relationships, a biblically based marriage enrichment ministry, and they travel locally and nationally as guest speakers.

Brian and Paula love their two children, Amber and Chase and their spouses and two grandbabies!

Brian 's Workshop

• The Power and Influence of Healthy Marriages


Joni Moede, Homeschool Iowa Conference Speaker

Joni Moede

Joni Moede has been married to her husband, Paul for 33 years. After hearing Ken Ham at the 1999 Homeschool Iowa Conference, they knew they were supposed to homeschool. They had one son and homeschooled him his whole life.

Out of the challenges and rewards of homeschooling, Joni sees the calling to be a mom as the “most important job in the world.” She is the mentoring moms coordinator for HEED and has mentored other moms for many years.

Joni 's Workshop

• Helping Children and Teens Develop their Relationship with God

CLICK HERE for Handout


Nancy Bjorkman

Tim Sieber

Tim serves as the Executive Director of Tech Journey, a Des Moines nonprofit with a mission of inspiring youth to engage with and explore technology.

With over 25 years of corporate, non-profit and higher education experience in information technology, he enjoys helping the next generation become more digital literate as creators of technology rather than consumers..

Tim lives in Johnston and enjoys spending time with his family, serving the local church and traveling.

TIM'S Workshop

• Coding & Robotics*

Teen Track Workshop


Additional 2023 Speakers

2023 Homeschool Iowa Conference Additional Speakers
ADDITIONAL SPEAKER BIOS & WORKSHOPS

If any of the speakers above have handouts available, 
you'll find them HERE.


If these speakers offer handouts, find them here.

Special Conference Workshop Speakers

 

"Keep up the great work
in choosing such excellent speakers
to come and speak into our lives."

~ Homeschool Iowa Conference Attendee

 


Speaker Inquiries

Speaking at the Homeschool Iowa Conference is by invitation only. Speakers are carefully selected to fit Homeschool Iowa's philosophy, vision, and mission, and to not conflict with the Homeschool Iowa Board of Directors’ biblical worldview. Because of the high volume of speaker inquiries we receive, we are only able to follow up with those we are inviting to speak. If we are interested in having you speak, we will contact you before the year end preceding the scheduled conference date.

Speaker packets should include:

  • Contact information, including email address, phone number, mailing address, company name, and website
  • A list of all proposed workshop titles and descriptions
  • Speaker biography
  • A high-resolution (300dpi) digital photo
  • Any requirements or accommodations you request for your speaking
  • References or listings of previous speaking engagements
  • At least two hour-long recordings of your recently presented workshops

Submit your packet to:

Homeschool Iowa
ATTN: Conference Speaker Coordinator
PO Box 158
Dexter, IA 50070
or to: speakers @homeschooliowa.org

By sending your audio recordings, you are consenting to allow Homeschool Iowa to upload them to a secure site for the speaker committee to access during the review process. Please note that submitted items, including workshop recordings, will not be returned.

Join us at the 2025 Homeschool Iowa Conference!