WALKING IN
FREEDOM
Following Where God Leads
WALKING IN
FREEDOM
Following Where God Leads
Meet the Keynote Speakers
Karen DeBeus
Author, Speaker, Podcaster
Karen DeBeus is a veteran homeschool mom who wants nothing more than to point families to Jesus on their homeschooling journey. She’s homeschooled for almost two decades and graduated three of her four children, and at this end of the journey, things look much different than when she began. She shares in a real and authentic way in order to help families focus on what really matters. (Matthew 6:33) Karen ministered for over a decade to families and women with her ministry Simply Living for Him, where she developed an online community, in-person retreats, authored books and hosted a podcast. She currently enjoys ministering right in her community as Director of Outreach at her local church. May God be glorified in all!
Megan Scheibner
Author, Speaker, Blogger
Megan Scheibner is the wife of Steve Scheibner and homeschooling mother of their eight children. A trained Christian counselor, she uses her degree in Communication as she counsels and teaches women of all ages. Megan is the co-author of “Parenting Matters: The Nine Practices of the Proactive Parent,” and she travels extensively equipping parents with the tools they need to confidently train the next generation. Megan has authored thirteen books, including In My Seat: A Pilot’s Story from September 10th-11th, the companion book to her husband Steve’s 9/11 testimony. Megan’s heart is focused on discipleship and she blogs practical words of encouragement at . When she’s not writing, Megan enjoys feeding teens and cuddling her grandchildren.
Dr. Steve Scheibner
Pastor, Pilot, Parenting Coach
Called “America’s Parenting Doctor” by Glenn Beck, Life Leadership, and others, Dr. Steve Scheibner, the President of Characterhealth Corporation, has dedicated his life to equipping parents to train a new generation of Courageous, Christ-like, and Characterhealthy leaders. Using his background as a Naval aviator, church-planting pastor, and airline pilot, Steve co-authored and teaches, “Parenting Matters: The Nine Practices of the Pro-Active Parent.” As well, Steve captivates audiences worldwide as he shares “In My Seat: A Pilot’s Story from September 10th-11th.” His testimony of God’s provision has been used to reach millions for Christ through the YouTube video of the same name. Dr. Scheibner has been married to his wife, Megan, for 30 years, and together they have homeschooled their eight children for 23 years.
Audra Talley
Homeschool Idaho Board Member
Audra Talley was homeschooled during the early days of the modern homeschool movement and had a front row seat to the battle for homeschool freedom in her home state of Idaho. After completing her homeschool coursework, she attended the College of Idaho where she graduated with a BA in Political Science and History. She and her husband, Bruce, currently reside in southern Idaho where Audra homeschools the younger 3 of their 4 children (the oldest is grown). She is actively involved in the local community through a local co-op, their local church’s homeschool ministry, and are board members of Homeschool Idaho, a statewide homeschool organization that exists to inspire, promote, and preserve the homeschool way of life. Audra contributes regularly to Homeschool Idaho’s quarterly magazine. For years she has been encouraging and mentoring homeschool families one-on-one and is now beginning the journey of bringing her unique perspective to a broader audience.
Meet our Workshop Speakers
Natalie Mack
Author, Speaker, Military Outreach Coordinator
Natalie Mack is a national certified counselor, author, TEDx speaker, and experienced twenty-three years military home educator, with over twenty-two years of service to military homeschooling families and military homeschool support group leadership. Natalie is a mom of five: three college graduates, one college senior, and an 11th grader. She currently serves as president of Fort Belvoir Home Educators. She also owns Natalie Mack, LLC which provides educational consultation, mentorship to military homeschool leaders and advocacy for military homeschooling. She is the military community outreach coordinator for HSLDA. She has a podcast: Base2Base Military Homeschooling. Natalie’s published works include the book 101 Tips for Homeschoolers, available on Amazon, and several articles in Military Families Magazine, The Old Schoolhouse Magazine, and the HSLDA Military Families website.
Nate Noorlander
Speaker, The Nomadic Professor
Aby Rinella
Speaker, Blogger, Podcaster, Homeschool Idaho Board Member
Aby Rinella is a former public-school teacher turned passionate homeschool mom. Aby resides in the mountains of the west, with her college sweetheart and 3 awesome kids, where they enjoy all things outdoors. She is a writer, speaker, and podcaster, seeking to encourage and inspire parents to prioritize the calling they have been given, to train up their children in God’s Word ,and to stand on truth in a culture that has lost its foundation. Aby, and husband Jesse, are board members of Homeschool Idaho where they work to defend homeschool freedom for future generations. They also work in the outdoor industry, sharing their family’s experiences in the outdoors. Together, the Rinella’s run a non-profit organization, Called Beyond Adventures, that takes families and children impacted by disability, terminal illness, or various obstacles on hunting, fishing and other outdoor adventures. You can find them at www.calledtothetop.com
Linda Patchin
Author, Speaker, Homeschool Idaho Board Member
Linda homeschooled her four children from birth through high school. She is a founding and current board member of Homeschool Idaho and is a regular columnist for the Homeschool Idaho Magazine. She wrote the book The Politics of Pie: A History of Idaho Homeschooling, which tells the story of how Idaho went from jailing homeschool parents to the state with the most homeschool freedom. Linda loves to offer encouragement to homeschool parents! She lives in Boise with her husband, Paul. They have been blessed with eight grandchildren!
Cherie Wasdahl
Speaker
Cherie and her husband are second generation homeschoolers. She has been homeschooling her three children for the past four years and is very happy to see homeschooling become such an accepted form of education. Cherie is frequently seeking and finding new and engaging ways to teach her kids the skills and concepts they need to learn.
Melissa Nash
Homeschool Idaho Board Member
Melissa Nash is a homeschooling Mama who has successfully graduated one kiddo with one to go. She has been married to her High School sweetheart, Kory, for 26 years. When she’s not homeschooling, Melissa can be found teaching her private viola/violin students and playing with her string quartet.
Mike Smith
Mike Smith graduated from Bob Jones University’s School of Applied Studies in 1993. Mike uses his talents in ministry on the mission field. He has been married to his wife, Stephanie, for 29 years. God has blessed them with five children and two grandchildren. For the past 25 years, they have partnered with Biblical Ministries Worldwide. They apply their name (SMITH) as an acronym for their ministry: Serving Missionaries Internationally Through Helps. They are currently in the process of starting Legacy Trade College, a school dedicated to teaching and equipping students to serve God by meeting the needs of the Church around the world using the gifts and talents that God has given them.