Rachael Carman
Rachael Carman is a wife and mother and she is passionate about both. She and Davis have been married almost 22 years and they have been blessed with seven children ranging in age from 5 to 18. She has enjoyed speaking and encouraging women's groups for over 10 years. It is her heart's deepest desire to become all God has planned for her to be for His kingdom's glory. She loves challenging other women to dare to desire the same thing - to live in reckless obedient faith. Her journey into home schooling was a bumpy one, but she is so grateful for the God-adventure and the daily experience of His faithfulness and grace. Rachael is quick to admit her many imperfections and share stories that highlight her shortcomings and the redemptive hand of Jesus Christ. Her humor will put you at ease, her honesty will surprise you, and her heart will inspire you to go deeper, stand firm, and be strong!
In the course of all of the demands of family life, God has given Rachael some amazing opportunities. She wrote a book for Focus on the Family in 2005 titled SoundBites from Heaven. The book discusses fifty two different statements parents make to their kids which Rachael argues echo sentiments God would like to communicate to each of us, His children. She tells stories from her own life throughout the book weaving her wit and wisdom into each one. At the end of the short readings she included a few questions of personal introspection for the readers consideration and growth. Rachael believes that God wants to communicate His love and plan for each of us personally and that He does this in a variety of ways including our communication with our kids.
As a direct reflection of her heart's desire to affirm, encourage, challenge, inspire and celebrate motherhood, Rachael led the first Real Refreshment Retreat in 2003. It was her vision to give homeschool moms an opportunity to get away and revive themselves through Bible study and prayer as they faced the special challenges of homeschooling. The most unique aspect of these events was the three separate hours set aside for prayer. Worship, teaching, and fellowship were also included in the weekend. Many moms were blessed through the retreats. Now through the ApologiaLive conference for homeschool moms, it is her hope to expand on that ministry and create a weekend that will energize and invigorate the homeschool mom with inspirational worship and speakers.
Zan Tyler
Zan Tyler's life as a speaker, writer, homeschooling mother and advocate was born over twenty years ago with a sense of God's calling and in the midst of great adversity. In 1984, Zan and Joe Tyler found themselves in a quandary when their local school board denied their initial application to homeschool. In a follow-up meeting, the South Carolina State Superintendent of Education threatened Zan with jail. The Tyler family spent the next eight years fighting for the rights of SC homeschoolers in the legislature, in the judicial system, and in the court of public opinion. Zan and Joe homeschooled each of their children from kindergarten through high school, for a total of twenty-one years.
As an acquisitions editor for Apologia, Zan's goal is to develop and publish biblically-based resources that will empower parents in the purpose and process of homeschooling. She says, "In 1984, I read a book that gave me the courage and the vision to homeschool despite overwhelming obstacles. I know firsthand the power of the written word to equip us to pursue God's calling in our lives. My passion at Apologia is to bring the best possible authors and resources into the lives of homeschooling parents. "
In addition to developing homeschooling resources, Zan derives deep joy from speaking to and encouraging homeschooling parents across the country and around the globe. "After speaking at a conference in Japan, I spent time with a mother who said, 'You gave me strength because you gave me Christ.' My heart soared because my greatest desire is to give parents a sustainable vision for raising their children for Christ while providing them the very best education."
Zan is the author of Seven Tools for Cultivating Your Child's Potential. She is a popular on-line columnist and her articles appear in a variety of publications including homeschooling magazines, the Court Report, and academic journals.
Zan founded the South Carolina Association of Independent Home Schools in 1990 and served as its president for 10 years. In 1987 she was honored as the South Carolina Homemaker of the Year. Additionally, she co-authored the book Anyone Can Homeschool with Dr Terry Dorian in 1996. In 1999 she appeared on NBC's Today Show with Katie Couric. The Governor of South Carolina awarded Zan the Order of the Palmetto in 1998, the highest honor a civilian can receive.
Zan has recently served as the National Grassroots Director for ParentalRights.org and as the Homeschool Editor and Resource Consultant for LifeWay.com's Web Network (www.lifeway.com/homeschool). For four years she worked with B&H Publishing Group as an acquisitions editor developing a homeschool line of books and resources.
Where are Zan and Joe Tyler's kids now? Ty, the oldest, is married to Tammy and they are the parents of two beautiful girls. Ty is pursuing a successful sales career. John is married to Christine, and their first son was born in 2008. John is entering his last year of law school. Lizzy is a rising senior at Asbury College, where she is a media communications major. She recently had the opportunity to work at the 2008 Olympics in Beijing. All three attended college on a variety of scholarships based on academics, athletics, leadership ability, community service, and/or the fine arts.
Most importantly to Zan and Joe is that they all continue to love each other and they are all seeking to serve and glorify Christ in their adult lives.
Debra Bell
Debra Bell is the best selling author of the award-winning Ultimate Guide to Homeschooling and the forthcoming Ultimate Guide to Homeschooling Teens. A former high school and college English teacher, Debra and her husband Kermit home educated their own four kids K-12. Three are college graduates, the fourth graduates shortly; one is married and one is in graduate school.
Raised by public school teachers, Debra holds a B.S. in communications education and a Masters in English. Currently, she is a doctoral candidate in educational psychology at Temple University in Philadelphia, PA, where she holds an assistantship in the College of Education. Her research interest is identifying why, how and when homeschooling works; and she looks forward to using her training to better serve the homeschool community well into the future.
Debra was a reluctant convert to homeschooling in the early 80's. While finishing her graduate work for her permanent teaching certification, friends of hers (without degrees or teaching experience) started to homeschool and got better results than she did in the classroom. After recovering from the mind-blowing shock of this, she paddled her boat into their stream and opened up a recruitment office of her own.
During her homeschooling years, Debra helped to found and lead three homeschool co-ops which continue today (one for elementary, one for high school, and one for drama), and taught composition and literature courses for more than twenty years. Today she continues to teach Advanced Placement English courses online.
Debra and her husband are long time members of Sovereign Grace Ministries (www.sovereigngraceministries.org) which plants churches in the U.S. and abroad. And they are very grateful their four children have made the spread of the gospel through church-planting the central focus of their lives as well.
A popular convention speaker, known for her wit, candor and warmth, Debra is delighted to be asked to join the Apologia team and looks forward to locking arms with Dr. Jay, Davis, Rachael, and Zan in creating outstanding resources for the next generation of homeschoolers ( and she trusts, her own grandchildren).
Debra blogs at www.debrabell.blogspot.com. Her website is www.debrabell.com
Sally Clarkson
Sally and Clay were married in 1981. The Clarksons have four children-Sarah, Joel, Nathan and Joy-all educated at home from the beginning (the older three have graduated; Joy is still homeschooling). They currently live in Monument, Colorado, near Colorado Springs.
The Clarksons' mission in life is to encourage and equip Christian parents to build a biblical home and a godly heritage by nurturing, discipling, and educating their children at home. Together Sally and Clay produced their signature book Educating the WholeHearted Child, which will be updated and available from Apologia in 2009.
About their ministry, the Clarksons say, "It has been our privilege since 1994 to minister to families across the United States and overseas, speaking for conferences, churches, organizations and groups that share our heart for strengthening families to follow God wholeheartedly. All of our ministry messages and materials emphasize the authority and teaching of God's word, and the biblical priority of home and family."
Sally grew up in Texas and New Mexico. She graduated from Texas Tech University in Lubbock, Texas, where she majored in English and Speech. She became a Christian early in college, was actively involved in ministry, and joined the staff of Campus Crusade for Christ upon graduation in 1975. After discipling women on a large college campus, she spent three years living and ministering in Eastern Europe. Back in the states in 1980, Sally created and led ministries to executive women and single adults in Denver, Colorado.
Clay had been a friend and supporter of Sally's since 1975 when they joined Campus Crusade staff together. In 1980, Clay moved to Denver to attend Denver Seminary. Sally and Clay married a year later.
Sally remained active in ministry after their marriage and has been involved in several discipleship and teaching ministries to Christian and homeschooling mothers. Clay graduated from seminary in 1985 with an M.Div. (with honors) and served on the staff of the International Chapel of Vienna, Austria; worked with single adults and small groups in a large southern California church; and directed adult CE and led worship at a Bible church in Nashville, Tennessee.
In 1993, he and Sally moved to family property near Fort Worth to begin Whole Heart Ministries.
Since that time Sally has written many books, including Seasons of a Mother's Heart. Since the late 1980s, Sally's speaking ministry has focused primarily on homeschooling, Christian parenting, and motherhood. Since 1995, Sally has presented the WholeHearted Child Home Education Workshop to thousands of families across the country. She has led annual WholeHearted Mother Conferences since 1998.
Discipleship is the heartbeat of Sally's life, whether it is in teaching and motivating other women, or in training and instructing her children. Through her books and speaking ministries, God has used Sally to bring encouragement and inspiration to mothers who desire to follow God's biblical design for their lives. All of her messages are filled with stimulating biblical instruction, touching personal anecdotes and illustrations, and wise spiritual insights born out of her own experience in life and ministry.
In addition to writing and speaking, Clay oversees and manages all aspects of the ministry. As a seasoned, seminary-trained Bible teacher, Clay's messages are characterized by sound biblical exposition, and the practical application of biblical truth to daily life. He has a heart for discipleship and training, and for communicating the many truths from God's word that strengthen parents, children, and families. Clay enjoys giving parents a clear biblical vision for their lives and for their children's lives, and then showing them practically and simply how to live out that vision day-to-day within their homes.
Elizabeth Smith
Elizabeth Smith, a veteran home schooling mother of four, taught her children at home for nearly fifteen years, and has seen them successfully graduate from college. She is the wife of Michael Smith, President of Home School Legal Defense Association.
Elizabeth writes and speaks at home school conferences, symposiums, and women's retreats throughout the United States. Michael and Elizabeth have appeared several times on Focus on the Family radio program.
Elizabeth has lobbied on pro family issues in her state capitol and in Washington D.C. for the National Center for Home Education since 1993. She is Chairman of the Board of Breakthrough Intercessory Prayer Ministry and is Vice-President of the Gideon International Auxiliary Ministry in her county. She also serves as a Women's Bible study teacher in her local church. Elizabeth is Director of Development at the Home School Foundation, the charitable arm of Home School Legal Defense Association.
What others say about her message:
"(Elizabeth's) poise and composure, sober yet compassionate spirit, and articulate, sensitive wording made (her) message a pleasure to hear and easy to receive."
Middleburg, Virginia
"People could just not get enough or say enough about (her) sweet spirit and wisdom.
She truly ministered to our hearts."
Home School Leader, Sacramento, CA
"(Her) class was helpful because of her gentle spirit, experience in the Lord, wisdom in practical everyday living and advice. (Her) words were both simple and profound."
Sherri Seligson
Before Sherri Seligson was promoted to the position of "mother," she worked as a marine biologist at Walt Disney World's Living Seas pavilion in EPCOT Center, where she was involved in collecting and maintaining coral reef animals, especially focusing on fish nutrition and marine predator care. During this time she completed research on shark behavior and was the first individual representing Walt Disney World to have research published.
Besides authoring Apologia's Exploring Creation with Marine Biology text and curriculum, Sherri has written several articles for marine related magazines such as Tropical Fish Hobbyist and Aquarium Magazine as well as articles for home school publications.
Residing in Orlando, Florida, Sherri and her husband, David, have been homeschooling their four children for fifteen years. Two have graduated, earning full scholarships to college. Their oldest son is studying micro/molecular biology with the desire to work in pharmacology, and their second son is majoring in commercial music. As she has seen with her own children, Sherri realizes that even within the same family, every child's educational needs are different, and it's a new adventure tailoring their educational and career pathways. She is currently working on a new project which will aid home school students to receive high school credit while they complete an internship.
Sherri has a very motivated heart for teaching students the importance of studying God's creation and equipping them to give an answer for their faith, and she also speaks at conventions where she loves to encourage other moms on their homeschooling journey.
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