PRESENTER: POLLY LILLY
Retired NICHE Board Member & Regional Representatives Coordinator

1:00 - 2:00 p.m.

This workshop will help you think through the important steps needed to successfully homeschool. Polly will include how to overcome some of the obstacles and challenging questions that many will meet as beginning homeschoolers. The diverse approaches to homeschooling will be presented as well as examples and stories from her 17 years of home educating her children and 6 years as an supervising teacher. Resources will be shared and questions will be answered at the end of the session. We’ll cover some common roadblocks and misconceptions about “what school should look like” and also discuss many of the stages that homeschool families experience as they walk through the years. There will be a time for interaction and questions.

PRESENTER: Scott Woodruff
HSLDA Attorney for Iowa

2:15 - 3:15 p.m.

Iowa's homeschool laws can seem quite complicated and overwhelming. With multiple options, and varying requirements, the legal maze can seem like an obstacle course. 
Home School Legal Defense Association attorney, Scott Woodruff,  will provide you with everything you need to know about Iowa's homeschool laws so you can homeschool with confidence. 

PRESENTERS: HOMESCHOOL GRADUATE PANEL

3:30 - 4:30 p.m.

Most parents who are considering home education ask questions about the end results of homeschooling. They want to know about socialization, about college admission, and about employability. 

This presentation will allow you to meet and hear from a group of Iowa homeschool graduates. Hear them tell about their own experiences as homeschooled students. Find out what homeschooling has meant to them.

PRESENTER: FAITH BERENS
HSLDA Special Needs Consultant

1:00 - 2:00 p.m.

This workshop offers practical resources, lists of materials, and curricula to equip you as you work with a struggling learner in your homeschool. Faith explains multi-sensory teaching methods, direct instruction, modeled teaching, and “scaffolding” instruction. She also shares ideas for designing a unique home instruction program tailored to your child’s specific challenges.

PRESENTER: FAITH BERENS
HSLDA Special Needs Consultant

2:15 - 3:15 p.m.

Does your child have a learning disability or severe special needs? Have you pulled your child out of public school where he used to have an IEP (individual education plan)?

Participants of this workshop learn the purposes and benefits of an SEP (student education plan), the homeschool version of an IEP.

This workshop also provides guidance on drafting an SEP. Participants look at sample student education plans and receive a template of a Student Education Plan as well as a resource list of books that will assist them in drafting their own homeschool student education plan.

PRESENTERS: HOMESCHOOLING PARENTS OF SPECIAL NEEDS STUDENTS PANEL

3:30 – 4:30 p.m.

Hear from a panel of homeschooling parents about their experiences providing home education for students with special needs. 

A Q&A period will be offered.