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Complete list of all Speakers:
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Diane Flynn Keith
Diane is the editor of Homefires—The Journal of Homeschooling Online (www.homefires.com) and also hosts a great online resource called “Clickschooling”. She and her husband have homeschooled their two sons for 14 years in the San Francisco Bay Area. Diane’s depth of knowledge and experience, intelligent, sparkling wit and warm sense of humor make her a favorite of conference audiences and talk radio hosts all over California. Diane is a widely-read writer, being a regular columnist in “The Link Homeschool Newspaper” and the author of the popular book “Carschooling” originally published by Prima Publishing, now a division of Random House (www.Carschooling.com) . Diane can be reached by email at Editor@Homefires.com
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John Taylor Gatto
John Taylor Gatto spent 30 years teaching in the public schools of New York City. He was named the city Teacher of the Year and state Teacher of the Year in different years. Since his retirement, Mr. Gatto has worked tirelessly to promote homeschooling as the only viable alternative to public schooling.
You can learn more about John Taylor Gatto and numerous best-selling books at ( www.johntaylorgatto.com ) . |
Mariaemma Pelullo-Willis, M.S.
Mariaemma Pelullo-Willis, M.S. is co-founder of the LearningSuccess™ Institute. She holds a Master’s Degree in Education, and California Life Teaching Credentials for Regular and Special Education. She has been teaching, developing programs, and conducting workshops for parents and teachers for over 25 years. She has worked with thousands of home-schooling families - assessing learning styles, diagnosing learning “problems,” and setting up customized programs. Mariaemma is the author of Realife™ Electives and co-author of A Self-Portrait™ Learning Style Profile, Discover Your Child’s Learning Style, and Midlife Crisis Begins in Kindergarten. Mariaemma’s goal is learning success for every child! Visit www.learningsuccesssinstitute.com for information about other products and services, including LearningSuccess™ Coach Certification.
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Dr. Mary Hood
Dr. Mary Hood, and her husband Roy, have been homeschooling their five children since the early 1980s. Two of the children have graduated from college and are making their way in the world. near Atlanta, is a perennial favorite speaker at The Link Homeschool Conferences. Her humor, wit and candor make her advice highly prized. You can visit her website at (archersforthelord.org). You can read an excerpt from her book here. You can reach Mary at POB 2524, Cartersville, GA 30120 or relaxedhomeschool@juno.com
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Andrew Pudewa
Andrew Pudewa is the director of the Institute for Excellence in Writing and a homeschooling father of seven. Presenting throughout North America, he addresses issues relating to teaching, writing, thinking, spelling, and music with clarity, insight, practical experience, and humor. His seminars for parents, students and teachers have helped transform many a reluctant writer and have equipped educators with powerful tools to dramatically improve students' skills.
Although he is a graduate of the Talent Education Institute in Japan and holds a Certificate of Child Brain Development from the Institute for the Achievement of Human Potential in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, his best endorsement is from a young Alaskan boy who called him "the funny man with the wonderful words." He and his beautiful, heroic wife Robin currently teach their four youngest children at home in Atascadero, California.
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Dr. Gary Erkfritz
Dr. Gary Erkfritz, of Westlake Village, CA, has spent the last 40 years helping both adults and children with chronic and difficult health challenges. His numerous studies have reinforced an understanding of the intricate balance between structural, chemical, mental and emotional elements that support or diminish our quality of life.
In 1999 Dr. Erkfritz was introduced to N.A.E.T. allergy elimination protocol and became an international lecturer and teacher of healthcare professionals. He is also a contributing member of their research committee. N.A.E.T. has allowed him to help patients of all ages. Dr. Erkfritz’ approach is a safe, non-invasive process that produces dramatic results and has a tremendous impact on their quality of life while dealing with a variety of health challenges. Children love coming to the office - it's very kid-friendly, and children are happy they won't get needles or drugs.
Dr. Gary spent a great deal of time helping children with neuro-developmental disorders (such as autism, ADHD and learning disabilities) and their families have benefited as well. In 2006, the search for knowledge took him to BRAIN BALANCE ACHIEVEMENT CENTERS. The program presented significant benefit to challenged children by combining the Nutritional, Sensory-Motor, and Neuro-Academic components of their problem in a present-time environment to maximize developmental growth. He is honored to have been selected by Dr. Robert Melillo (international lecturer, author and creator of the HEMISPHERIC INTEGRATION MODEL) to introduce this breakthrough, drug-free protocol to the West Coast. There are currently 3 other locations in the country – two on Long Island, NY and one in Atlanta, GA. He shares his time now between his active practice and Brain Balance Achievement Center of Westlake Village.
Please join us and see the exciting future that awaits your child when both sides of their brain work as a team and their full potential is in balance!
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Jim Weiss - Children's Workshop Presenter
Jim Weiss has been a storyteller for over 25 years. In June, 1989, Jim decided to do something more with the craft that he had formerly practiced solely for pleasure. He and his wife, Randy, formed a production company, Greathall Productions, and have thus far produced thirty-eight (38) storytelling recordings with enticing titles from classical literature, such as Greek Myths, King Arthur and Sherlock Holmes. Jim's Greathall line is the recipient of more than 75 major national awards from The American Library Association, Parents' Choice Foundation, NAPPA, the Parents' Council, The Oppenheim Toy Portfolio, The Film Advisory Board, Parents' Guide to Children's Media Award and more. Weiss' newest releases are "Abraham Lincoln and the Heart of America" and "Famously Funny! A Collection
Jim travels throughout The United States, giving live performances at stores, libraries, schools and community events. He has hosted and starred in a PBS television pilot that won a Northern California Emmy for "Best Children's Show," and has even performed at THE WHITE HOUSE Annual Easter Event. As a storyteller, Jim's performances have been described as exciting and enchanting. His connection to his audience is magnetic and interactive, proof positive that storytelling today rejuvenates one of the first and most personal forms of entertainment. Adults and children alike leave the performance feeling that they have really met characters from a wide range of classic literature and folk tales. Jim's presentations garner heightened respect for the art of storytelling and the literature itself.
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Jim Wiltens
Jim's educational background includes a B.A. in botany (UC Berkeley) and an MSc. in biology (Simon Fraser University). His occupations have included research in marine biology, underwater rigging and salvage, NAUI SCUBA instructor, coach, and analytical chemist. As a university coach, Jim trained championship water polo teams. At present he is owner/director of Deer Crossing Camp Inc., a wilderness summer camp.
Jim's writing includes five books and numerous articles. His column on how to motivate children appeared in parenting publications across the US and internationally. He is a three time recipient of the Northwestern University Medill School of Journalism award for the best column in a parenting publication. He is also author and illustrator of five books: Individual Tactics in Water Polo, Edible and Poisonous Plants of Northern California, Goal Express!, No More Nagging, Nit-picking, and Nudging and Memory Smart. Jim served on advisory boards for the San Francisco Chronicle Outdoors in the Classroom program and the San Jose Mercury News Venture Section.
Jim works with Gifted and Talented Education (GATE) programs at a wide variety of schools. In the school districts where Jim teaches, many of the students call him "the adventure guy." His adventures include high altitude climbing in the Andes, exploring underwater caves in the Yucatan, kayaking the headwaters of the Amazon, and paragliding over Africa.
Jim lives with his wife and son in Redwood City, California.
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Nick Brosco - Children's Workshop Presenter
Nick Brosco
Nick Brosco is a homeschooled high school student who has been shooting and editing digital video for the past five years. His company, Blue Edge Media, has produced wedding and event video, corporate video, and photo montages, as well as having provided DVD authoring and post-production editing services. Nick has studied and is proficient in Adobe Premiere Pro, Final Cut Pro, Adobe Photoshop, Adobe After Effects and 3DS MAX, as well as other Mac and PC-based software applications. In his future, he plans on continuing his current College education and working in the film industry.
Watch a video Nick and Lennon made at the last Link Conference here! |
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Lennon Leppert - Children's Workshop Presenter
Lennon Leppert, 19 years old, was homeschooled all of his life. He has been active in digital photography for three years and in editing digital video and post-production for four. He is well versed in the Adobe line of products including Photoshop, Premiere, After Effects and Flash, and he has in-depth knowledge of Mac-based video-editing programs such as Final Cut Pro.
Lennon is also well-respected musician and has composed television music for the History Channel and other projects.
Watch a video Nick and Lennon made at the last Link Conference here!
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