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 2025 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.
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2025 FEATURED Speakers
Click on each featured speaker photo to view biographical information.
ROB
RIENOW
ROB'S Workshops
• Your Home: A Lighthouse
• The Power of Multi-Generational Faith
• Overcoming Obstacles
to Spiritual Life at Home
• The Power of Family Forgiveness
• Visionary Marriage
• Take Courage: Encouragement for Dads
HAL & MELANIE
YOUNG
HAL & MELANIE'S Workshops
• What Gifted Kids Really Need
• Relax Your Homeschool for Academic Success
• Middle School Madness
• Boy-Schooling
• Your Marriage & Your Kids
• Boys & Media
• Getting Kids to Work
• Never Give Up
DANIEL
CRAIG
DANIEL'S Workshops
• The REAL Reason We Homeschool
• 5 Secrets for Aspiring Entrepreneurs
• Why I Am Glad I Was Homeschooled
• The 7 Habits of Joy-Filled Families
• Teens Don't Have to Rebel
• The Power of Mentorship
2025 Workshop Speakers
Kristin Lackie
Kristin Lackie is a homeschool parent and educator. She and her husband live in Minnesota and successfully launched their first K-12 homeschool graduate in 2023. Their second kiddo will graduate this spring. Woohoo! By God’s grace, her youngest two will make it through as well.
With an in-the-trenches perspective, Kristin brings humor and reality to what can sometimes feel like a daunting task – homeschooling all the way to graduation day.
Committed to saving both money and time, Kristin presents practical but often overlooked strategies to graduate college debt-free through credit-by-exam options and dual enrollment utilizing every available opportunity to maximize the middle and high school experience while casting a vision for college and beyond.
KRISTIN'S WORKSHOPS
• From Tools to Multi- Tools
• Homeschool Through High School*
• Simple Transcripts
• Jump Start College with CLEP
* High School & Beyond Special Track*
After being a homeschool skeptic, Nancy began homeschooling her four children in 1992, and saw it work.
Now a mentor to homeschooling families, she has spoken at homeschool conferences in over 10 states where she is known for her enthusiasm, energy, and encouragement.
Her favorite times are spent with her growing family, including nine grandchildren.
She and her husband owned HEPPNER’S LEGACY, a homeschool store in Elk River, MN, for 18 years and are now learning what it’s like to have more free time as they make the handoff to the new owners.
Nancy's Workshops
• Where Do I Begin?*
• Exploring Homeschooling Methods*
• Engaging Early Learners
* Starting Homeschool Special Track Workshop
KRISA WINN
For over 20 years, Krisa dedicated herself to serving children of all ages, abilities, and circumstances as a caring and compassionate classroom teacher. Known for her positive outlook and unwavering commitment to helping students reach their full potential, she made a lasting impact on countless young lives.
In addition to her teaching career, Krisa spent more than a decade supporting homeschooling families as a special needs consultant with HSLDA. She provided practical resources, evaluated curriculum programs, and offered personalized guidance to thousands of homeschooling parents, helping them navigate their unique educational journeys.
Krisa has also been a private tutor, an early childhood intervention specialist, and as an academic language therapist (in training).
Today, she is working with SpedHomeschool to build a comprehensive platform that connects, empowers, and supports families homeschooling children with special needs. Through this initiative, she helps provide resources, training, and one-on-one assistance to ensure families have the tools they need for success.
KRISA'S Workshops
• Foundations of Special Needs
• Teaching Tool Belt: Math
• Teaching Tool Belt: Reading
• Motivating the Unmotivated
Tori Wilson
Tori is a Certified Cognitive Coach Specialist level at The Nectar Group.
She received her BA in Elementary Education from Brigham Young University in Hawaii and Masters of Education in Curriculum and Instruction with an emphasis in Literacy Studies from University of Texas Arlington.
She loves changing the lives of her students as she watches them grow and has fun helping parents understand the best options for supporting their children. She feels like each student is the main character and she is grateful to be a part of their stories.
When not working with students at Nectar or speaking to parents, she enjoying playing the piano, word games, reading, strategy board games, and spending time with her husband and baby girl.
TORI'S Workshops
• Executive Function Junction
• Teaching Your Neuro-Diverse Mini-Me
Becky MacCredie
Becky is a Certified Cognitive Coach at The Nectar Group.
She received her Bachelors of Science in Early Childhood Education with an emphasis in Literacy and Special Education from Youngstown State University. She's a licensed teacher in Ohio, North Carolina, and Maryland.
In addition to spending 14 years as a classroom teacher she has mentored new teachers, provided county-wide professional development for educators, and worked with student teachers.
Becky has also owned a childcare business providing individualized education to the children in her care. She loves making personal connections with her students and creating positive learning experiences for them.
When she isn’t working with families, you can find her baking, decorating cakes, camping with her family in their RV, and reading books. She enjoys singing and has even been a member of an opera company. Mostly, though, she loves spending time with her husband, three kids, and their three fish!
BECKY'S Workshops
• Beyond ADHD Symptoms
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. Currently, he serves at the HSLDA Director of Legal and Legislative Advocacy.
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*
• The New, High-Profile Organization Coming to Get Your Homeschool Freedom (presented with Jeremy Vos)
• A New Bad Idea: Government Funding for Homeschooling
* Starting Homeschool Special Track Workshop
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 Seeing Brain:
The Neurology of How Vision
Impacts Learning
• The Listening Brain:
The Neurology of How Communication Methods Impact Learning
Nathan Oppman
Dr. Nathan Oppman was himself homeschooled and went on to earn a Bachelor’s degree in Political Science, a Master’s degree in History, and a Doctorate of Education in Curriculum and Instruction from Bob Jones University.
His doctoral dissertation focused on the area of Biblical worldview in young adults who were active in the public policy arena.
He began serving as the headmaster and history & theology instructor at Two Rivers Classical Academy in Des Moines after spending eight years working in the field of public policy, at both the national level in Washington, D.C. and the state level in Des Moines.
Dr. Oppman serves as an adjunct college professor and is a guest speaker at a range of classes, conferences, and seminars for young people.
NATHAN'S Workshop
• Christian and Classical:
From Math to History
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
GALADRIEL MILLER
Galadriel and her husband, Monte, have homeschooled their six children from the beginning. Along the way, they discovered that the homeschooling methods they were using did not line up with their philosophy of education.
A friend introduced Galadriel to Charlotte Mason’s methods, and she found that they were a perfect match! Their homeschool was revolutionized and they have never looked back.
These life-giving principles have opened their eyes to beauty and helped them connect to the wonderful gifts of God around them as they walk this educational journey, called “life in Jesus Christ”, together as a family.
Now having graduated three of their children, Galadriel enjoys sharing her knowledge of Charlotte Mason’s philosophy and what she’s learned along the way to bless other homeschooling parents on their journey.
GALADRIEL'S Workshop
• Introduction to the Charlotte Mason Method
Jose Lopez
Jose Lopez is passionate about helping homeschooled students uncover their unique potential and confidently plan for life after homeschooling.
With a master’s degree in education from the University of Louisville, Jose has spent over ten years in higher education, gaining experience in Career Development, College Advising, Dual Credit, and Apprenticeship Studies.
His diverse professional background in corporate sales and human resources, enables him to bridge the gap between education and the professional world.
As the owner of Discover Your WIN, Jose is committed to guiding homeschool students and their families through Christ-centered career exploration, career preparation, and actionable steps toward their goals.
Based in Ankeny, Iowa, Jose and his wife, Lindsy, homeschool their two sons.
Jose's Workshops
* From Freshman to Future:
Essential Resources for Every High School Stage*
* Your Story, Your Future: Crafting Resumes, Interviews & Scholarship Essays**
* High School & Beyond Special Track*
**Teen Track Workshop
SHERRY FISCELLA
Sherry Fiscella, t-LMHC, NCC, is the mom of two Iowa homeschool graduates and served as a supervising teacher in Iowa for over 20 years.
Sherry is now a clinical mental health counselor and Connected Families parent coach who provides therapy for individuals, couples, and families. With a unique perspective and approach rooted in her background as a Christian educator,
Sherry offers practical ideas to help parents and kids reduce feelings of distress and experience greater purpose, peace, and joy.
SHERRY'S Workshops
• Connected Families: Disciple that Connects with Your Child's Heart
• Raising Kids to Love God with a Sound Mind
• Communication That Connects (or How to Talk to Humans)*
* Teen Track Workshop
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 WorkshopS
• Homeschool Iowa Advocacy & Legislative Update
• The New, High-Profile Organization Coming to Get Your Homeschool Freedom (presented with Scott Woodruff)
LARRY HANTHORN
Larry Hanthorn is a husband, father, grandfather, church leader, and business professional. Retired from a 35-year career in IT, software development and executive leadership, he is now a certified seminar instructor with Crown Financial Ministries.
His passion is to see people learn and apply God’s financial principles to every aspect of their lives.
Larry has been a budget coach for hundreds of teens, singles, couples, and families and has taught Biblical financial principles to audiences across the United States.
A spiritual “prodigal son,” he now has a heart for reaching people who don’t know Jesus.
Larry and his wife Sheryl live in Pella, Iowa within a short driving distance from their 3 adult children and 9 grandchildren.
LARRY'S Workshop
• Financial Freedom for Teens*
* Teen Track Workshop
Brad KELLER
Brad Keller is a husband and father of 5 kiddos ranging from age 8 to 16.
Fueled by his faith, Brad’s career in Corporate America has spanned over 20 years as he’s focused on leading creative teams to deliver solutions that meet business objectives by moving the audience to action.
Throughout his career, Brad has had the privilege to work with some of the largest organizations across the globe in the automotive, financial, industrial and sports industries.
Brad is an accomplished illustrator, artist, and people leader who currently works full-time as Creative Director for a large, local-based health insurance company. He also serves as the Creative Director for War Heroes on Water, a non-profit based in Southern California whose mission is to help combat wounded veterans heal the wounds of war.
BRAD'S Workshop
• Unexpected Impact*
*Teen Track Workshop
"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!