Lisa Weiner, MSN

Keynote: Why Being Attached to Our Kids Isn’t Enough - They Need to Be Attached to Us, too! The fact that we love our kids is so important, but it is not what gives us our ability to lead, raise, teach or guide our children. What grants us this most important power and influence is when our kids love us. When they like us, love us, look to us for guidance and rest in our care, that’s when we are granted to power to parent them. In this keynote, Lisa will explore how attachment is meant to unfold and some of the more “hidden” dynamics affecting attachment, such as the alpha and dependent roles and defendedness and vulnerability.

Workshop: Let’s Explore Alpha Kids. Many children and teens these days are attached to their parents in the alpha position. These kids can appear bossy, demanding and alarmed and they are generally hard to parent. In this workshop, we’ll explore the various dynamics that can influence kids to attach in this way including sensitivity, adoption and parenting styles and techniques.

Lisa Weiner, MSN, is a nurse practitioner, parent coach, Internal Family Systems Practitioner and Faculty member at the Neufeld Institute. She loves supporting parents through classes, workshops and coaching sessions. She lives in Portland, Oregon with her husband and two sons.

https://www.lisaweiner.coach

Olivia Votaw

In Pursuit of Beauty: An education that awakens love for truth, orders the imagination, and strengthens the will toward the good.

Olivia Votaw has been involved in public, private, and homeschool education for over 20 years. She loves learning just about anything, but is currently most excited about, America's founding, Georgics, poetry, and sourdough. Olivia is one of the founders of Rise Up Academy in Lehi, Utah and ALTUS Family Liber Academy in Tucson, Arizona. Camping on the beach, reading, laughing, cooking, and road trips are some of her favorite things. Olivia lives in Southern Arizona with her Votawesome husband, three spunky kids, Mexican mother, and two fluffy dogs. 

Alicia Chancellor Hansen, MS

People often worry about potential negative impacts from homeschooling. Questions regularly come up about topics such as socialization, making friends, curriculum, costs, teaching (especially math!), adult work schedules, issuing diplomas, and getting into college. We will consider these concerns and ways to address them so our kids can thrive.

Alicia has been involved in the Northern Nevada homeschooling community for 12 years. She has served on the Board of Northern Nevada Home Schools (NNHS) since 2019 and is currently Chair. She has organized the NNHS Science and Invention Fair since 2018 and the Spelling Bee since 2023.

Alicia and her husband Michael currently reside in Carson City and homeschool their four children, ages 14, 12, 9, and 7. She has been both a primary homeschooling parent and homeschooled while working full-time as a data analyst and project manager. She holds Bachelor’s and Master’s Degrees in Mathematics with an Emphasis in Statistics from the University of Nevada, Reno.

Allison Villines

In this workshop designed specifically for parents of entrepreneurial kids, Allison will share practical tools to help you nurture your child’s business ideas, strengthen their leadership skills, and guide them through challenges with confidence. From mindset development and resilience to branding and execution, she will provide insight on how to encourage ambition while helping your child build a strong foundation for long-term success.

She believes entrepreneurship isn’t just about starting a business — it’s about raising proactive, creative problem-solvers. And when parents are empowered, young entrepreneurs thrive.

Alli Villines is a dynamic entrepreneur, author, and community leader dedicated to empowering women in business through purpose-driven leadership and authentic connection. She serves as the Founder & Executive Director of She Means Business (SMB), a Northern Nevada–based nonprofit committed to advancing financial literacy, mentorship, and access to resources for aspiring and emerging young female entrepreneurs. Under her leadership, SMB produces impactful programming and events, including Speaker Series, Campus Outreach Programing & our Female Founders Scholarship / 8-month- Business Development Program where local founders share real-world journeys from idea to execution.

@borntobe_book/https://a.co/d/0cdEgV2F

@allimariemarketing/https://www.allimariemarketing.com

@shemeansbusinessorg / https://www.shemeans.biz

Amber & Sarah

This workshop introduces families to unit studies as a flexible, low-stress approach to homeschooling. Participants will learn how to plan unit studies using a simple framework, adapt them for multiple ages, and naturally cover multiple subjects through one topic. Attendees will leave feeling empowered, inspired, and ready to implement unit studies with confidence.

Amber and Sarah are the founders of Battle Born Homeschoolers, a Northern Nevada homeschool nonprofit dedicated to building connection, confidence, and community for homeschool families. Amber and Sarah run Battle Born Homeschoolers, a Northern Nevada homeschool nonprofit dedicated to building connection, confidence, and community for homeschool families. Seasoned homeschool parents and event organizers. They focus on making learning feel affordable, flexible, and joyful through real-life, community-centered education. https://www.battlebornhomeschoolers.com

Rebecca Bevans

Western Nevada College offers homeschool students a powerful way to get a head start on college. This talk will explore how homeschool families can use WNC courses to earn college credit, strengthen transcripts, explore career interests, and transition smoothly into higher education. We’ll cover dual enrollment, academic pathways, and how community college can open doors to both four-year universities and career programs.

I’m the “Homeschool Specialist.” I’ve been helping homeschoolers since Fall 2019, when my son became a dual enrollment homeschooler at WNC. When my son started at WNC, I was nervous, and I figured if I was nervous and I work there, there were probably other families that would be hesitant to send their child to campus. I spend a lot of my time talking to parents, helping them feel comfortable knowing that WNC is a supportive environment for their homeschooler. From the president to the faculty, the campus community is very supportive of our homeschoolers.

I am also a professor of psychology and teach courses like child psychology, adolescent psychology, abnormal psychology, and intro to psychology. I have been teaching at WNC since 2007.

Lorna Burkhard

Join Lorna Burkhard in exploring the mysteries of snowflakes. We will visit the Google Classroom and hear fascinating details, note snowflake vocabulary, and follow prompts to draw three types of snow-flakes. All supplies will be provided. By attending this workshop, you will be prepared to implement nature study and art into your homeschool repertoire.

Lorna is an experienced nature journalist who has taught nature journaling to all ages of children for more than 15 years. Her vitality and enthusiasm is so catching. She deftly helps kids and adults learn how to draw, paint, and thereby SEE more clearly.

Stacy J. Stewart

In this interactive hands-on workshop, you will be the student as Stacy takes you through a structured lesson based on the research-supported science of reading. Handouts will be provided to help you take what you learn here to what you can do with your student at home. Although this workshop is geared toward early readers, parents of struggling older readers can benefit from learning the instructional strategies that are shared.

Stacy J. Stewart is a Literacy and Reading Specialist, and a Board-Certified Educational Therapist with over 25 years of experience. In private practice her focus has been on psycholinguistic assessment and interventions with struggling readers. She has also worked with educational publishers as a consultant and served in private and public schools as a Literacy Coach and literacy program coordinator.

Jami Hepworth

Jami is a mother of five, mentor, and educator who helps people cultivate deeper connection, clarity, and meaning in how they live and learn.

After a court decision placed her three younger children in public school, she remained involved by volunteering on campus—where she created a poetry club. Rooted in her homeschooling philosophy, the club centers on beauty, curiosity, and genuine enjoyment, with students voluntarily gathering during recess to write and engage in a shared literary life.

In this workshop, participants will step into the "Poetry Club" experience and explore how learning can be shaped through beauty, attention, and delight. They will leave with practical tools to foster voluntary engagement, support language and creative development, and apply this approach across subjects—offering not just ideas, but a living model that can be adapted and shared.

Jocelyn Vance

In this workshop we will dive deep into creating an individualized plan for your middle/highschooler.  We will discuss dual enrollment in Northern Nevada, sports, extracurriculars, college entrance and transcripts.  We will also explore the many options available from college to trade schools. I will also teach you the skills and tools you need to create a plan that is individualized for your teens.  I believe that individualization is what creates ownership in your teens.  When they own their education this becomes a joyful and amazing journey for parents and teens.  We will discuss the tools you need to become their parent/mentor and greatest advocate for their future. 

Jocelyn Vance is a Mom to 6 kids ages 6-22.  She has homeschooled for the past 13 years and has learned so much about parenting, family life and education and can talk about any of these topics for hours.  She is also the Reno Market Manager for the Children’s Entrepreneur Market and is passionate about entrepreneurship, so you may have seen her around town.  

She believes that homeschooling is the best way to have closer knit family relationships.  She fell in love with home education as she dove into researching and reading every book on the subject.  She is passionate about family centered homeschooling and intentional parenting and believes that embracing inspiration and individualization is a key component of a joyful home education journey.  She currently has graduated 2 kids who have gone on to pursue their dreams, has 1 son about to graduate and has 2 more middle schoolers.  Join her in this workshop as she shares her experiences and knowledge of homeschooling teens and helps you create an individualized plan for your teens. She shares her journey on her instagram channel @ourinspiredfamilylife and has a blog at www.ourinspiredfamilylife.com where she shares resources to inspire you to have a more joyful journey in family life and in homeschooling. 

Nikelle Robinson

Nikelle will guide you to understanding how to work with the seasons for integrated learning in your home that flows smoothly with life instead of fighting it. Learn basic hygge for homeschoolers, how to make spring come alive, what to do all summer as a homeschool family, and how to enjoy an abundant autumn with routines and rhythms that feel natural.

Nikelle was raised in the Pacific Northwest running wild in the woods. She has a zest for life and has sought adventure in running marathons, climbing mountains, snowboarding, scuba diving, backpacking, and traveling. As long as she can remember she has thrived in experiential, sensory-rich, immersive environments. She went on to manage high ropes course experiences, work in wilderness therapy, and as a recreation therapist in residential settings for youth. 

Her motherhood journey has required a serious metamorphosis, and she (eventually) surrendered to slower rhythms, a simpler life, and seeks to prioritize experiential learning and deep connection with the earth and with people. She loves living in accordance with the seasons alongside her family.   All who know her acknowledge her as a strict imperfectionist. 

Christian Funk

Kids need a compass to help guide them through life! Let’s figure out what you want your kids to stand for so they don’t fall for anything. In this workshop you will do hands on activities that you can do with your youth to help them do hard things. Doing hard things build character, perseverance, and confidence.

We will explore ideas on how to foster a strong relationship with your son, how to encourage your kids, and how to get dads involved in homeschooling—it is easier than you think.

Christian has been married for 32 years to his sweetheart, Kathy, and together they have raised and are raising 7 children, 4 boys and 3 girls. They have 4 grandchildren. He has coached boys and girls lacrosse, NFL flag football, and basketball. He has been a scout master and mentor for youth in a variety of settings and activities. He is currently a business owner and bison rancher.

Jackie Scalzi

Jackie's interactive workshop is designed for parents who are new to homeschooling or considering the transition. Whether you are feeling overwhelmed with the transition or need a place to start, together we'll walk through what homeschooling looks like. A clear foundation for homeschooling that fits each attendee's needs is the best way to begin their journey with confidence. By addressing common myths and fears, understanding state requirements, and gaining confidence in choosing curriculum, families will leave emboldened in their choice to homeschool. 

Jackie has been a homeschooling mom of two for eight years and was first drawn to homeschooling for the freedom and flexibility it provides. Jackie wanted the ability to honor her family values, meet her children where they are, and foster a true love of learning. She believes every child learns differently and is passionate about helping families create learning environments that will support curiosity and growth through her work at The Hope Academy.

Mickelle Shea

"Adulting" has become a burdensome, dreaded word associated with nothing but chores, bills, and responsibilities.  No wonder we have so many parents experiencing "failure to launch!" Tour my Adult Skills binder and take home a template for yourself.  The ASB isn't just about skills, though—implicit in this book is the opportunity to curate a worldview canon for your children. 

Mickelle is often told she's serious and deep, but mostly because pedantic and idiosyncratic aren't compliments.  She considers the quest to cultivate discernment and taste—and thus a flourishing and beautiful life—to be among the most serious endeavors of homeschooling.  Aristotle's observation that true education is a type of enculturation: "to love what we ought to love, and hate what we ought to hate" has sunk deep in her bones and she sometimes mutters it in her sleep.  Mickelle has never found an Albinoni concerto, a Joseph Geisser painting, or a chocolate pastry that doesn't speak to her soul, but she's always willing to keep looking.  Especially with the pastries.