Sarah has been homeschooling for the last ten years. She lives in West Kelowna with her husband, her four children and her extra-large dog. In her spare time, she works as a homelearning and curriculum consultant for Heritage Christian Online School.
Bitgood, Greg
Greg Bitgood became involved with Christian Education in 1987 as a director of Heritage Christian School and in 1997 was appointed Superintendent. In the same year, Greg and his wife, Christine, founded Heritage Christian Preschool. In 2004 Greg started Heritage Christian Online School, a British Columbia accredited distance learning program for students K to 12. It is now Canada's largest Christian Online School and is having a world-wide impact. Greg is a director for the Western Canadian division of the Association of Christian Schools International (ACSI). Greg continues to serve as the Pastor of Christian Education for Kelowna Christian Center where he has served in ministry since 1986. He has authored several books, papers and articles. His latest book, "Discipling this Generation for a Digital World" can be purchased at www.ChristianThinker.org. He is also the host and creator of the TheChristianEducator.org podcast, bring inspiration and information for Christian educators worldwide. He has championed the concept "Discipleship-based Christian Education" and the role of parents in education. Greg lives in Kelowna British Columbia with his wife of 25 years. They have four grown children who are all strong in their faith and pursuing God's plan for their lives.
Davis Carman is passionate about being a husband and father. He and the wife of his youth, Rachael, have been happily married since 1986. They live near Charlotte, North Carolina where they are raising their seven children. The kids range in age from 5 to 18 with two boys on one end, two boys on the other, and three girls tucked safely in the middle. The Carman family has been enjoying the adventures of the homeschool lifestyle since 1996 when God "got their attention."
In June 2008, Davis purchased Apologia Educational Ministries - a leading publisher of creation-based science curricula, designed specifically for homeschoolers. Under Davis' leadership, Apologia is expanding into other product lines including practical and inspirational books for the homeschool community. He introduced the ApologiaWorld e-newsletter in October 2008 and the first ApologiaLive conference event for homeschool moms in February 2009 in Baltimore. Davis is committed to staying true to the Apologia mission - to help homeschoolers learn, live, and defend the Christian faith.
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.
Despres, Carrie
Home schooling mom and contact teacher with HCOS. Carrie began teaching in 1980 and enjoyed teaching grade 7-9 FSL for a number of years in the Public School System. Carrie and her husband Blane are raising their children in a home where both French and English are spoken on a daily basis.
Karen was introduced to homeschooling by a friend when her first child was still a pre-schooler. The sampling of kindergarten curriculum to support constructive play launched her on an annual search for the best educational materials. Now after 14 years of homeschooling, she still enthusiastically home schools her youngest child and enjoys opportunities to encourage and support other homeschooling parents.
Paul is the President of Home School Legal Defence Association of Canada. For the last five years he has served homeschooling families across Canada through the work of HSLDA in the Courts, the House of Commons, the Senate, provincial legislatures and ministries of education, in the media, and wherever else necessary. He is also a frequent speaker at conferences across Canada. Paul lives in London, Ontario with his wife, Suzanne and his daughters, Abigail and Isabella. Both Paul and Suzanne were homeschooled.
Hazell, David
David Hazell has been involved in homeschooling since 1987. During several of those years he was a stay-at-home dad directly responsible for educating his children. For eight years, David and his family lived in Russia where he served in Bible translation in Siberia and helped coordinate Bible translations in 80 languages. His six children often ministered with him as he traveled throughout Russia and Europe. David and his wife, Marie, now devote the majority of their time to the development of My Father's World curriculum with the dual goal of providing support for Bible translation and raising up generations of families that see the world through God's eyes and live according to that knowledge.
Linda Kane's experience in the field of special needs began thirty-three years ago with the birth of her oldest son Scott, who was diagnosed with Down syndrome. Through her search for answers, Linda found the Neurodevelopmental Approach in 1989. Realizing the life changing effects this approach had for her son, Linda entered into an eight year apprenticeship in the Neurodevelopmental field. She has expanded her expertise in specialized fields by training in Auditory Integration Training, Auditory Enhancement Training, Samonas Sound Therapy, Feeding Therapy, Oral Motor Therapy, Reflexes, and The KI Method. Linda is certified through the International Christian Association of Neurodevelopmentalists, Inc. (ICAN). Currently, in affiliation with ICAN, the opportunity for continued research, study, and the exploration of options and methodologies to enhance the field of neurodevelopment is an ongoing critical part of her work.
Linda, certified through the International Christian Association of Neurodevelopmentalists, INC., travels extensively around the United States seeing families, lecturing and teaching.
Larratt, Heather
Heather Larratt is a registered professional research biologist and is the owner of Larratt Aquatic Consulting Ltd. She was the first recipient of a First Class Honors B.Sc. in Environmental Biology, from the University of Calgary in 1978. She has 31 years experience in source to tap water quality and reservoir management. In 1985, Larratt Aquatic also became involved in the reclamation of mine tailings ponds as wetlands and pit lakes as bioreactors. Over the years, Larratt Aquatic has developed innovative techniques for aquatic reclamation. Heather speaks at international mine reclamation conferences and has contributed to scientific journals and proceedings. All of those accomplishments pale when compared to raising four home-educated kids with Bruce, her husband of 30 years. She also volunteers as a co-op science teacher and tutors young adults who want to upgrade their high school sciences. Her entire family worship and serve at Westgate Christian Assembly in Westbank.
Dianne may look like your average homeschool mom but she is really an undercover adventurer. She loves to travel and has visited 13 different countries. After several years of diligent study, she received her diploma in nursing. She has worked in a variety of unique settings, including; a fast food restaurant, two preschools, two summer camps and one hospital. Her present and most incredible vocation is learning at home with her husband and three children. She is a homeschool affectionado ... just like you.
Dianne will present the workshop, "Libraria: Curriculum Found" with Shandra Wiebe.
Natalie Sing, her husband Ron and their four children have been homeschooling for the past 13 years. With 3 children graduated Ron and Natalie continue to educate their last child at home. The Sing family live on Vancouver Island and enjoy all the benefits of being near the ocean. Serving God and their community is a principal focus of their family. Natalie brings experience and the joy of homeschooling to her workshop.
Vendor, Vendor
Vendor workshops will be offered from 11:45 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. each day. These workshops are presented by exhibitors to exlplain the specific product they are selling. Please check the workshop schedule for more specific details.
Jim Weiss - Many homeschoolers almost feel like they know this guest because he's been in our living rooms, kitchens and vehicles, telling his versions of many of the classics in literature! This year, you'll get to hear him live at BC CHEC! Jim Weiss will be presenting at the adult program, the teen program and the children's program - so the whole family will get to enjoy our favorite storyteller! Not only that, but we've planned a Story Night with Jim Weiss for the entire family to enjoy together! With over 30 years of storytelling behind him, Jim has mastered the craft of bringing to life rich, fine literature. However, storytelling goes well beyond entertainment for Jim Weiss. He seeks to bond and build community through the creative experience of telling stories and to equip his audiences to become great storytellers themselves!
Shandra began her homeschooling journey thirteen years ago when her daughter begged to be removed from school in grade 7. She was struggling with dyslexia and a rowdy class so another option had to be found. While on this journey they tried many different curricula and methods including distance education and integrated programs, eventually finding what worked for her. Shandra has worked for HCOS as the Online Librarian for the last 2 ½ years. She loves to share the joy of homeschooling with other families and serving the moms and dads who e-mail, call or drop in looking for information and helping them find the books and kits that will inspire them and their children. She has also enjoyed watching the library resources grow in popularity. New books and curriculum are continuously being added. Developing new science and socials kits is an exciting part of the HCOS library and the kits have proved to be popular with kids and parents alike.
BC Christian Home Educators' Convention and Trade Show
Canadian Home Education Resources*
BC CHEC Topics: