OCHEC Convention

Richard is married to Shelley and has five wonderful kids. He’s a devoted disciple of Jesus Christ and Pastor at Stone Ridge Bible Chapel in Hamilton. Rich loves studying and teaching the scriptures and loves any sport you can name (within reason ;)

Tracy is a second-generation homeschooling mom from Nanticoke, Ontario. With two children graduated and her youngest nearing completion, she’s passionate about sharing her experiences and insights with others. Inspired by the richness of Charlotte Mason’s educational philosophy, Tracy helped launch Kingsway Christian Academy, a hybrid school in Haldimand County, where she especially enjoys teaching Shakespeare. She’s also developed a Charlotte Mason-based Sunday school curriculum, currently in use at her local church and set for release later this year. When not teaching or writing, Tracy loves country life, watching her daughter tend to her horse and flock of ducks – all named after famous poets- and appreciating the joy of family.

Cori Dean is an author and speaker and the owner of The Learning House and Maple Tree Publications. With over 20 years of homeschool experience, she has traveled the country bringing support and encouragement to thousands of homeschoolers. Having graduated three daughters, she and her husband Mark continue to learn along side of their youngest at home and in their learning nook at their store in Bradford, Ontario. Cori loves long days of bicycling as well as camping and boating with the family and thinks there’s nothing better than a good book, some dark chocolate, and a cup of tea.

Jeremy is an educator and homeschool dad, serving as an adjunct professor and teacher of history, classical studies, and English at several institutions, including Redeemer University, Heritage College & Seminary, Mohawk College, and Hillfield Strathallan College. He is the author of three books: J.R.R. Tolkien: Christian Maker of Middle-earth (biography, 2023), Undiminished Returns: Poems of a Christian Life (a collection of original poems, 2020), and All Things New: Essays on Christianity, culture & the arts (a series of essays on art and faith, 2018). He and his wife Laurie have homeschooled their four children for over twenty years. He also serves as a lay-pastor at Pilgrim Baptist Fellowship in Hamilton, ON.

Jil completed her Bachelor of Arts and Education, her Masters of Education, and her PhD coursework in Literacy Education and is a certified Reading Specialist. She has recently written a Young Adult Christian Fantasy trilogy, scheduled to be released in 2026 and is committed to equipping and encouraging homeschool families to share in a love of literature. She shares free activities, teaching tips, and science experiments on her Instagram page @jil.koller. She has four children and has been homeschooling for over ten years. Jil helps run the children’s program at Redeemer City Church, Orillia. It is her greatest desire to teach her children, and all the kids at Redeemer, to love the Lord faithfully every day of their lives.

Klaske and her husband, Bill, have been married for over 37 years. They have 6 children and 14 grandchildren. For the past 32 years, she has been involved with the homeschooling community – homeschooling from kindergarten through high school with one teenage son now nearing completion of his high school years.

Klaske has a heart for lending a listening ear and encouraging and those struggling in their homeschooling journey. She is an executive board member of TEACH, the homeschool support group in Brantford, is actively involved in her church community and has recently started tutoring a few other homeschooled children. She enjoys gardening and spending time with the kids and grandkids.

Paula has been a wife to Gord for nearly 30 years and a mom to 8 children ages 13-27, with almost two married and almost two grandchildren! They live on a farm in Niagara where they run their family business teaching the endangered craft of stained glass all year round. God has used everything from the business to homeschooling to puppies to marriage and kids to continue the work of sanctification, in not just her life, but her whole family’s. Her favourite thing is to meet with younger moms and encourage them in their spiritual journey. She’s often joked she has her degree in “Having Coffee”.

Hi, I’m Yana, a homeschooling parent who believes education extends beyond textbooks, embracing child uniqueness, character development, and spiritual growth. With my husband, we raise our five children in Barrie, Ontario.

As parents, we’re entrusted with a sacred task – co-authoring with God in shaping who our children become. Having faced childhood struggles myself, I sought tools to empower my kids. Now a certified kids and youth life coach, I share professional expertise and personal insights with a Christian heart, offering practical strategies for building confidence, integrity, positive mindset and resilience.

In my free time, I cherish family moments, explore God’s Word, and paint. Let’s collaborate for the joy of parenting.

I was trained as a piano teacher, but used most of my time to homeschool my seven children. I finished teaching my youngest child in 2023 and am currently teaching the high-school science curriculum for several homeschooling families. Part of my journey involved learning how to manage growing most of the berries and vegetables our family needed with my children to help keep our costs down. With 9 people to feed, clothe and educate, my husband and I pooled our energy and ideas together to creatively reach our goals of providing education, nutrition and opportunities for our children. I am excited to share things I learned from my journey that helped me live frugally and make the most of my resources.

Colleen homeschooled her three children through high school, starting the journey before coming to faith in Christ. Having spent much of her adult life as an unbeliever, she has a unique perspective on the importance of teaching children to discern a Christian worldview. She is passionate about equipping parents to help their children recognize worldviews in books, movies, music, and culture so they can stand firm in truth. A lover of classic literature, she believes great books shape great minds when rooted in Scripture. Now, with her children grown, she finds joy in encouraging homeschoolers as they raise the next generation for Christ.