Kristi Windish of True Compass discusses the benefits of aptitude testing in this podcast episode. Learn how your homeschool high school student can make the best college, career and life decisions based on such assessments!

-Kristi's educational journey, starting from her work in speech language pathology [0:30]

-How to overcome challenges associated with making career and college choices [3:00]

-Why assessments should go beyond interest inventories to include scientific research and data [5:30]

-Some benefits of assessments across all levels of education [9:30]

-Overview of services most commonly experienced by homeschool families, including group discounts [12:00]

-Specific age requirements [17:10]

Resource #1: https://www.truecompassllc.com/ (True Compass LLC website)

Resource #2: https://midwesthomeschoolers.org/events/homeschool-conference/ (MPE conference)

Continue the conversation!

Website: https://midwesthomeschoolers.org/

Email: [email protected]

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/midwestparenteducators/

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Jason Jackson of Ricketts Great Books College describes the benefits of distance learning in this podcast episode. Discover how your homeschool student can enjoy an immersive, accountable, accessible yet affordable college experience that's free of distractions!

-Jason's educational journey as a lifelong learner [1:00]

-How the learning experience at Ricketts Great Books College dovetails with homeschooling [2:10]

-Opportunities to gain different certifications throughout the program [6:00]

-Some examples of the classic literature studied at the college [6:50]

-Factors for homeschool families to consider when making college decisions [10:10]

-Affordability: Students can get half of their fees credited back to them when successfully completing their course of study [12:30]

-Coming to the March 6-7 homeschool conference [17:00]

Resource #1: https://rickettsgreatbookscollege.org/ (Ricketts Great Books College website)

Resource #2: https://midwesthomeschoolers.org/events/homeschool-conference/ (MPE conference)

Continue the conversation!

Website: https://midwesthomeschoolers.org/

Email: [email protected]

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/midwestparenteducators/

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Retired homeschool mama, author and podcaster Terri Hitt discusses our upcoming Women's Encouragement Day for homeschool moms.

-Introduction to her book [0:30]

-How Terri's homeschool experience shaped her parenting journey [3:00]

-Terri's ministry to moms and godly motherhood mentoring, after her daughter died unexpectedly [4:50]

-What moms can look forward to gaining at the Jan. 31 Women's Encouragement Day [7:40]

-How women can feel "appreciated and understood" by attending such events [10:30]

-Further free resources available [12:00]

Resource #1 - Women's Encouragement Day: https://midwesthomeschoolers.org/events/womens-encouragement-day/

Resource #2 - Follow Terri Hitt on Instagram: www.instagram.com/terrihitt/

Resource #3 - Visit Terri Hitt's website: terrihitt.com

Continue the conversation!

Website: https://midwesthomeschoolers.org/

Email: [email protected]

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/midwestparenteducators/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mpeinkc/

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Upcoming events in January and beyond include:

Homeschool youth ages 13 and older can apply for our conference Youth Leadership Team, or YLT, program.

Homeschool Students ages 12 and older can now enter their creations in our first ever Creative Arts Showcase during our March 6-7 homeschool conference. Registration is FREE for MPE members.

Homeschool dads get a special night out from 6:30 to 9 p.m. on Friday, Jan. 30! Enjoy fellowship, a friendly and optional chili cook-off, a session with speaker John Blackburn from The Forge, and dessert. All homeschool dads (or those considering homeschooling) are welcome!

Our next Women’s Encouragement Day will be 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM Jan. 31 at Journey Bible Church in Olathe. Discounted pricing is available between now and Jan. 4.

Our Kansas Homeschool Capitol Day will be Feb. 6. We encourage families to start setting up appointments now to meet their legislators during this event. 

Take your children on a free virtual chess trip with MPE at 10 a.m. Thursday, Feb. 12! This fun, interactive lesson will explore chess fundamentals, beginner strategies, and creative problem-solving skills that build confidence both on and off the board.

The instructor, Steven Bloom, is a former top-ten chess player. He’s known for making chess engaging and easy to understand—even for complete newcomers or players with some experience.

Finally, registration is open for our February Great Wolf Lodge Homeschool Weeks! More details on discounts and times are available on our website.

Isaac Durst, former head of school at the Principled Academy (now ValuesandVirtues.org), discusses the importance of character education in maturing and developing homeschool students.

-How Values & Virtues got its start as Principled Academy [1:50]

-Why homeschool families are passionate in asking questions and taking charge of their children's learning [4:40]

-Some of the academic successes linked to character education [7:00]

-How to involve "head, heart, and hands" in building virtue and values within children [10:30]

-Some of the best ways to navigate the valuesandvirtues.org website [12:20]

-How to help students connect the dots between classic stories and real-life application [15:30]

-Next steps for people interested in learning more [18:20]

Resource #1: https://valuesandvirtues.org/ (Values & Virtues website)

Resource #2: Homeschool Conference & Curriculum Fair

Continue the conversation!

Website: https://midwesthomeschoolers.org/

Email: [email protected]

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/midwestparenteducators/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mpeinkc/

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Wondering how to prepare your homeschool students for higher education? Brian Barber from Central Christian College of the Bible recommends his best tips in this interview - including internships, volunteering, and personality tests.

-Brian's own educational journey as a homeschool grad [1:00]

-His experience with homeschool graduates attending college [2:30]

-How the COVID-19 pandemic affected higher education, including technology and counseling [4:20]

-Why scheduling flexibility will be more important to colleges and attendees in the future [7:40]

-Steps for parents wanting to help their children adapt to an ever-changing jobs market, life after graduation [8:50]

-Gaining job advice from other families, homeschooling and non-homeschooling [13:00]

-Tips for first-time homeschool conference attendees [16:10]

Resource #1: https://cccb.edu/ (Central Christian College of the Bible website)

Resource #2: https://midwesthomeschoolers.org/events/homeschool-conference/ (MPE conference)

Continue the conversation!

Website: https://midwesthomeschoolers.org/

Email: [email protected]

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/midwestparenteducators/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mpeinkc/

X (formerly Twitter): https://twitter.com/mpeinkc

Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/mpeinkc/

Annette Vaughn wrote "Dear Homeschool Mom" covering unique aspects, circumstances and seasons of homeschooling to help parents throughout their journey - many of whom are first-generation homeschoolers!

-How Annette got the inspiration for her book [1:30]

-Ways in which she chose the different "ages and stages" of homeschooling, highlighting unique circumstances and situations from each family [8:00]

-The huge need for homeschool encouragement as many parents are first-generation homeschoolers [13:20]

-How to deal with specific arguments against, and questions about, homeschooling [14:50]

-HSLDA's Compassion fund and how all proceeds from the book will benefit homeschool families through HSLDA [18:00]

Resource #1: https://www.amazon.com/Dear-Homeschool-Mom-Letters-Encouragement/dp/B0FS7FB8CK (Annette Vaughn's "Dear Homeschool Mom" book on Amazon)

Resource #2: https://midwesthomeschoolers.org/events/homeschool-conference/ (MPE conference)

Continue the conversation!

Website: https://midwesthomeschoolers.org/

Email: [email protected]

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/midwestparenteducators/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mpeinkc/

X (formerly Twitter): https://twitter.com/mpeinkc

Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/mpeinkc/

Terrie Hellard-Brown of Hypurpley Press explores various tips and methods homeschool parents can use to value the uniqueness of each child and how to best their needs.

-Terrie's homeschool journey as an overseas missionary originally getting faulty diagnoses for her special-needs children [0:30]

-The inspiration behind Hypurpley Press [3:30]

-Some challenges of being a homeschool mom with children who have complex medical needs, including multiple surgeries [7:20]

-How to spark everyday discipleship and have important conversations with our children, especially those who have autism and other special needs [22:00]

-Tips for first-time attendees at the March 6-7 MPE homeschool conference [37:10]

Resource #1: https://terriehellardbrown.com/ (Terrie's website)

Resource #2: https://midwesthomeschoolers.org/events/homeschool-conference/ (MPE conference)

Continue the conversation!

Website: https://midwesthomeschoolers.org/

Email: [email protected]

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/midwestparenteducators/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mpeinkc/

X (formerly Twitter): https://twitter.com/mpeinkc

Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/mpeinkc/

Deborah Burns, founder of the Medical Transcription Service and retired homeschool mom, explains how she entered this industry and now helps other families with this work-from-home opportunity.

-Deborah's homeschool journey from "terrible preconceptions" to huge fan [0:30]

-How her family doctor "recruited" her into becoming a medical transcriptionist [4:00]

-Some of the challenges of working from home [4:50]

-Artificial intelligence (AI) and some of the ways it's changing the medical transcription industry [6:50]

-Some of the benefits of working from home [8:20]

-Differences between medical transcription and medical coding/billing [10:30]

-Next steps for people interested in learning more [12:40]

Resource #1: https://www.medtranscription.com (Medical Transcription Service website)

Continue the conversation!

Website: https://midwesthomeschoolers.org/

Email: [email protected]

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/midwestparenteducators/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mpeinkc/

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Joan Samuell explores the health benefits and advantages of Norwex and microfiber cleaning for homeschool households. Check out her vendor booth at our March 6-7 conference and curriculum fair!

-Joan's homeschool journey [0:30]

-Cleaning products for every household, and what to look for in microfiber cloths [2:50]

-Tips to get the children involved in nontoxic cleaning [4:30]

-Streamlined cleaning processes [6:00]

-Startling statistics over the 87,000 chemical ingredients used in the US, yet still to be tested for their impact on human health [8:40]

-Resources and tips for homeschool moms seeking more information [12:20]

Resource #1: https://midwesthomeschoolers.org/events/homeschool-conference/ (Homeschool Conference & Curriculum Fair)

Resource #2: https://www.norwex.com/?r=joanbryansamuell&store=us (Joan Samuell's website)

Resource #3: https://www.facebook.com/groups/joansVIP (Joan Samuell's Facebook VIP group)

Continue the conversation!

Website: https://midwesthomeschoolers.org/

Email: [email protected]

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/midwestparenteducators/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mpeinkc/

X (formerly Twitter): https://twitter.com/mpeinkc

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