Speakers

	Lori Brown Lori Brown and her husband Kevin are the parents of six children and now grandparents of two. By the grace of God, they are into their seventeenth year of homeschooling, teaching their third and sixth grader at home. Their oldest son, Brandon, holds a Bachelor's degree in Politics, Master's degree in Bioethics, and will receive his M.D. in May. Their oldest daughter, Bethany, has a Bachelor's degree in Art History. Their son, Ben, just returned from a medical mission trip to Roatan, Honduras, and will take his medical entrance exam in April, and their daughter, Julie, is a sophomore studying business at the University of Dallas campus in Rome, Italy. All of them were homeschooled. Lori teaches Spirituality for Children, a monthly Catholic devotions and Saints class for children, is leader of the Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic women's Prayer Group, and a Missionary Servant of the Gospel of Life. She is a past homeschool conference speaker and has spoken on various Catholic devotions and the lives of the Saints. Lori believes that the most significant role of a parent is to provide for the spiritual needs of their children while at the same time bringing them to their greatest academic potential. The ability to read is foundational to all independant learning and the sooner we can help our children to unlock the world of written knowledge, the better. There are certain key things we can do to make learning to read well easier for them and for us, and a more enjoyable experience. In this session, Lori will share a loving, joyful and low-cost approach to teaching reading, even to the very young. Essential elements to be discussed are: * Time and Timing * Docile Hearts * Love * Joy and Enthusiasm * The Tools * Catholic Stewardship About What We Read
	Kristen West McGuire www.kristenwestmcguire.com Kristen West McGuire is a freelance writer and former Methodist seminarian. Her conversion began at Georgetown University, class of 1987, where the Jesuits did teach enough doctrine to find God, in the poorest of the poor, no less. She entered the urban ministry program at Wesley Theological Seminary. During a grueling chaplaincy internship at a mental institution, she read the Bible, and pondered Mother Teresa's example. Her Roman Catholic husband, Daniel, brought her to Mass, where, eventually, it dawned on her that Jesus was Incarnate upon the altar! Fast forward to 2008: There are eight McGuire children, with ages ranging from high school on down. Dan now teaches theology at the University of Great Falls in Great Falls, Montana. Yes, they homeschool some of the kids, but punted for high school. Kristen spends most of her time navigating mild learning differences (special needs) and children's activities (sports and music). She believes in �radiation therapy� (adoration/Holy Hour) and learning by natural consequences. She founded Secretum Meum Mihi Press in 2006, which produces a newsletter on spirituality for Catholic women.
	Fr. Jospeh Michael Mary McShane Biography coming soon!
	Katie Willen Katie and Gary Willen began home education in Ohio in 1996, shortly after Katie made the Consecration to Mary according to St. Louis de Montfort. Besides the socialization issues, it became very clear that their two oldest daughters were not being taught the Catholic Faith. As converts, it was most important to Katie and Gary that their daughters be well-educated in the Catholic Faith. "For what shall it profit a man, if he gain the whole world, and suffer the loss of his soul?" (Mark 8.36) That fall, Our Lady of Fatima Home School was started and the first textbook studied was the St. Joseph Baltimore Catechism No. 2. Since then, the entire family has grown in the knowledge and love of God and the Church. They graduated their two oldest daughters from their homeschool. Sarah has graduated from Ave Maria University. Meredith attended Christendom College for two years and is hoping to enter the religious life as a cloistered nun. Their youngest daughter was only 3 years old when the family�s home education began. Rebecca is finishing her freshman year of high school and looks forward to her graduation in a few years. Katie and Gary currently hold the office of President of ICHSA. Katie is active in the Our Lady of Guadalupe prayer group. They are both active members of Holy Rosary Catholic Church in Indianapolis.
	Confirmed Panel Members
	Amy Kalscheur Amy Kalscheur, mother of 7 (ages from 11 down to 10 months) has been homeschooling from the beginning. She uses an objective-based philosophy, getting materials from many sources and using Hillsdale Academy for academic standards. She provides self-study, direct teaching, and real life opportunities during the day to her children.
	Mike and Lynne O'Brien Mike and Lynne O'Brien have four children, ages 9-18. The O'Briens compile their own curricula for the elementary and junior high years, but switch to a "packaged" curriculum as each of their children enters high school. Because they are committed to choosing the materials best suited to each child, their two high schoolers are enrolled in different schools; one is finishing his junior year with Angelicum Academy, while the other has just completed ninth grade through Mother of Divine Grace Academy.
	Bridget Evanich Bridget Evanich and her husband Bob are the homeschooling parents of five children: Bryan, Allison, Emily, Adam and Joanna. As hard as it is for them to believe, this upcoming school year will be their eleventh year home educating! Bob and Bridget have served on ICHSA's board as membership chairpersons for the past two years (2006-2008). Their family lives on the far westside in Avon and attends Holy Rosary Parish in downtown Indianapolis. Bryan (19) graduated from their homeschool high school in 2007 and spent this past year pursuing certification at Danville Hospital in EMT--Basic Skills. Allison (17) graduates this school year, 2008, and will be attending University of Indianapolis this fall to pursue a double major: Nursing and Music. Emily (14) will be starting the high school journey this fall. Their daughter Emily is a special needs student who has Asperger's Syndrome and has a moderate hearing loss in both ears. Educating her has been a rollercoaster ride most years, but with a lot of prayer and perserverance they press on towards their goal of graduating another child into young adulthood! Adam (8) and Joanna (5) are the two youngest students. They implement a Montessori-style of learning (hands-on manipulatives) when the children are younger and develop into a more structured approach as the childen mature. They have found that this keeps learning fun and exciting in the younger years for both teacher and child! Their greatest joy over the years has been to watch each child blossom into the person God wills for them to be and to grow strong in their Catholic faith!
	Michael O'Rourke Michael O'Rourke, Father of 8 (15 yrs to 1yr), has supported his wife Maria, the primary teacher, during their 11 years of homeschooling. He helps to bring a schedule to the homeschooling day, tutors some writing & math and fills in with various other home-making chores. Michael places great importance on a Father's role to be the spiritual head of the family. He assists in ensuring that family activities do indeed fulfill the family's Catholic mission.
	Terri Drake Terri Drake is the mother of six children, five of whom are school age. She and her husband have been formally homeschooling for nine years. The Drake homeschool philosophy is centered on building a Catholic worldview.
	Michelle Solomito Michelle Solomito is married to Al and is a mother of 4 children. She is currently in her 9th year of homeschooling. She lives on the northeast side of Indianapolis and her children range from preschool to 8th grade. She approaches home schooling from a classical perspective, employing a very modified Kolbe Academy curriculum. This past school year, her then seventh grader maintained A's with a rigorous and demanding curriculum while adding additional studies such as Kolbe's high school Latin and a high school Spanish course. Recently, her 10 year old 5th grader was one of the youngest to compete at the Scripps National Spelling Bee and tied for 64th place out of 288 spellers. Michelle has been preparing her children for Kolbe Academy's high school curriculum in order to pursue a Summa Cum Laude diploma. She believes that helping her children strive to achieve their highest potential, according to their God given talents, will enable them to be useful laborers for Christ.
	Mandy Stephens Welcome to the Christ Child Academy, established in 2002. Motto: Ora et labora. Student population: 3. Ages: 7, 9 & 11. Grade levels: No clue. Curriculum: Individualized. Eclectic. Classical education. Loyal to the Magesterium of the Roman Catholic Church. Using secular and Catholic resources. Learning disabilities accommodated: Sensory, reading, writing, speech and language mastery readily. Other: Accelerated learners at work. Principal: David Stephens Teacher, nurse, college student: Mandy Stephens We learn as a family. We grow as a family. We pray as a family. Welcome to all.
	Elizabeth Welch Elizabeth Welch started homeschooling in 5th grade and graduated from Seton Home Study School in 2001. She continued her education at the University of Indianapolis and received a Bachelor of Science in Music in 2001. She currently works for three parishes in the Archdiocese as a choir director and youth ensemble leader. She also leads Praise and Worship for Archdiocesan youth events and just this past March lead music at the Indianapolis Treasuring Womenhood Conference. She will have her first CD available for purchase in the vendor hall today! She is a very talented musician with a beautiful voice.
	Ginny Zender Ginny Zender and her husband Tim have three children. After much reading, conversing and prayer they pulled their older children out of 1st and 2nd grade and began homeschooling them. Now thirteen years later the oldest, James, just completed his junior year at Lake Forest College in Illinois. James recently returned from Germany after studying abroad for a semester. He currently has a summer internship at a law firm in downtown Indianapolis. Emily, also at Lake Forest has completed her sophomore year. She is majoring in business and communications. This summer she is creating a website for an organization. The youngest, Samantha, is still homeschooled and will be a junior in high school. Over the years Ginny has served on the ICHSA board as the treasurer and a north side contact for new members.She also served on the board for RCHEI. Her true passion lies in organizing activities for homeschooled kids. Over the years some of the many activities organized include; Teen Jeopardy, Mission to Mars, Fifties Dance, Legos Robotic Team, JA Finance Park, Right to Life D.C. trip among many others. Currently she and Vanessa Alexander have started a not for profit organization, FACES, Inc. This organization serves homeschooled high school students. Ginny feels that homeschooling is a gift from God and that it has allowed her family to focus on what is most important; faith, family and friends.