Empowering Homeschool Conversations
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Empowering Homeschool Conversations

Peggy Ployhar

Welcome to Empowering Homeschool Conversations, your authority in navigating the world of homeschooling diverse learners. 

Featuring Peggy Ployhar from SPED Homeschool, Annie Yorty from AnnieYorty.com, Leilani Melendez from Living with Eve, Stephanie Buckwalter from ELARP Learning, and Dawn Jackson from Dawn Jackson Educational Consulting & Tutoring.

With over 75 years of combined homeschooling expertise, experiences, and perspectives, this group is eager to share their wealth of wisdom to empower your homeschooling journey.

So, grab your favorite mug, settle in and get ready for insightful discussions, valuable insights, and practical tips as these experts and their guests dive into the hottest topics in homeschooling. Whether you're a seasoned homeschooler, just considering this path, or anywhere in between you don't want to miss a minute of these enlightening conversations that will empower your child to thrive in their homeschool environment.

Join us to give your homeschool the power boost it needs to successfully educate the unique learners in your home.

Would you like to view our upcoming broadcast schedule? VIsit this page to see our upcoming calendar of guests and discussions. 

And, make sure to join the ongoing Empowering Homeschool Conversations Group to submit your questions ahead of the show AND to join us for post-show conversations. 

Links to Us:

https://spedhomeschool.com/

https://annieyorty.com/

https://www.youtube.com/@LivingWithEve

https://elarplearning.com/

https://solimaracademy.com/

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Ready, Set, Homeschool: Mental Prep for Moms of Diverse Learners
August 20, 2024 - 60 min
In this enriching episode of Empowering Homeschool Conversations, four of our dedicated hosts, experienced special education homeschooling moms, come together for an insightful and helpful discussion on a critical back to homeschool topic: Ready, Set, Homeschool: Mental Prep for Moms of Diverse Learners   From the unique challenges of homeschooling children with special needs to the emotional toll it can take on the moms who juggle it all, our hosts dive deep into the realities faced by many mothers who home educate children with learning challenges.   This episode is packed with practical advice, personal anecdotes, and spiritual insights aimed at fostering emotional well-being. Join us as we share advice, give you our personal tips, and overall provide a comforting reminder that you are not alone on this journey. Our conversation is designed to empower and equip you to thrive as a special needs homeschooling mom.   Viewers like you funded similar episodes, and other free resources from SPED Homeschool. To learn how you can support the nonprofit work of SPED Homeschool and this broadcast, visit https://spedhomeschool.com/donate/   To find out more about SPED Homeschool, visit our website at https://spedhomeschool.com/   To learn about the other Empowering Homeschool Conversations Co-Hosts and their resources, visit: https://annieyorty.com/ https://www.leilanimelendez.com/ https://elarplearning.com/ https://solimaracademy.com/  Join our mission to empower homeschool families!: https://spedhomeschool.com/donate/ Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
Strategic Homeschooling-Assessing Last Year and Planning Ahead for Diverse Needs
August 16, 2024 - 60 min
🔍 Are you ready to level up your homeschooling strategy? Join Peggy Ployhar on Empowering Homeschool Conversations as she dives deep with team co-host Annie Yorty in an insightful interview on "Strategic Homeschooling: Assessing Last Year and Planning Ahead for Diverse Needs." Discover practical tips, tools, and insights to help you evaluate your past year and plan effectively for the future, ensuring your child’s unique needs are met every step of the way. Don't miss out on this empowering conversation that will transform your homeschooling journey! 🎓✨ Annie Yorty is a wife, mother, writer, and speaker who brings hope and encouragement to those navigating tough times. Her life, filled with unexpected twists, has deepened her reliance on God’s presence and purpose. Annie's advocacy journey began with the birth of her first child, who has Down syndrome. She finds joy in helping others discover their needs and sources of support. Her advocacy spans parenting, disability support, global missions, homeschooling, Bible teaching, Multiple Sclerosis awareness, and mentoring. Annie has inspired audiences across four continents and contributes to various blogs and online magazines, including Crosswalk. Her book, "From Ignorance to Bliss: God’s Heart Revealed Through Down Syndrome," shares the hope she found through her parenting journey. To connect with Annie, visit: https://annieyorty.com/ Viewers like you funded similar episodes, and other free resources from SPED Homeschool. To learn how you can support the nonprofit work of SPED Homeschool and this broadcast, visit https://spedhomeschool.com/donate/ To find out more about SPED Homeschool, visit our website at https://spedhomeschool.com/ To learn about the other Empowering Homeschool Conversations Co-Hosts and their resources, visit: https://annieyorty.com/ https://www.youtube.com/@LivingWithEve https://elarplearning.com/ https://solimaracademy.com/Join our mission to empower homeschool families!: https://spedhomeschool.com/donate/ Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
Parenting with Heart: Navigating the Emotional Landscape of Parenthood
August 13, 2024 - 57 min
Join host Leilani Melendez in an eye-opening episode of Empowering Homeschool Conversations as she sits down with Aaron Brewster to dive deep into the emotional intricacies of parenthood. In "Parenting with Heart: Navigating the Emotional Landscape of Parenthood," Aaron shares profound insights and practical advice on how to connect with your children on a deeper level, manage the emotional ups and downs of parenting, and foster a nurturing environment at home. Whether you're a seasoned parent or just starting your journey, this conversation will equip you with the tools to parent with empathy and understanding. Don’t miss this empowering discussion!   Aaron Brewster is the president of Evermind Ministries, chief editor for Striving for Eternity, and a member of the Christian Podcast Network. He is an ACBC-certified biblical counselor, writer, preacher, and conference speaker. In addition, he’s the host of the Truth.Love.Parent. podcast and The Celebration of God podcast. Aaron counsels and speaks on a wide range of topics, but he specializes in the areas of family, discipleship, education, and worship, as well as training the next generation of biblical counselors. To connect with Aaron, visit:https://strivingforeternity.org/about/our-team/ambrewster/ Viewers like you funded similar episodes, and other free resources from SPED Homeschool. To learn how you can support the nonprofit work of SPED Homeschool and this broadcast, visit https://spedhomeschool.com/donate/ To find out more about SPED Homeschool, visit our website at https://spedhomeschool.com/ To learn about the other Empowering Homeschool Conversations Co-Hosts and their resources, visit: https://annieyorty.com/ https://www.youtube.com/@LivingWithEve https://elarplearning.com/ https://solimaracademy.com/ Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed by our guests on Empowering Homeschool Conversations are their own and do not necessarily reflect the views or positions of the host(s) or the show's producers. While we aim to provide a platform for diverse perspectives, we do not endorse or agree with all opinions shared during the broadcast. We encourage our audience to consider the information presented and make informed decisions that align with their own values and beliefs.Join our mission to empower homeschool families!: https://spedhomeschool.com/donate/ Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
Looking Ahead: Exploring Independence for Young Adults
August 9, 2024 - 62 min
In this episode of Empowering Homeschool Conversations, host Stephanie Buckwalter welcomes Mary Underwood, author and blogger at What Empty Nest, whose mission is to encourage, equip, and empower parents of young adults with disabilities entering adulthood. Together, they explore the journey towards independence for young adults with disabilities, offering practical advice, personal stories, and valuable insights. Tune in to discover how to support and guide your young adult in achieving greater independence and success as they transition into adulthood. Mary Underwood has been involved in the special needs community for over a decade as well as having friends and family who are walking this journey with their young adult. She is an author and blogger at What Empty Nest where her mission is to encourage, equip and empower parents of young adults with disabilities who are entering adulthood. To connect with Mary, visit:https://whatemptynest.com/ Viewers like you funded similar episodes, and other free resources from SPED Homeschool. To learn how you can support the nonprofit work of SPED Homeschool and this broadcast, visit https://spedhomeschool.com/donate/ To find out more about SPED Homeschool, visit our website at https://spedhomeschool.com/ To learn about the other Empowering Homeschool Conversations Co-Hosts and their resources, visit: https://annieyorty.com/ https://www.youtube.com/@LivingWithEve https://elarplearning.com/ https://solimaracademy.com/Join our mission to empower homeschool families!: https://spedhomeschool.com/donate/ Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
Rethinking ADHD: Attention to Dreams, Humor and Discoveries
August 6, 2024 - 59 min
Join host Dawn Jackson in this enlightening episode of Empowering Homeschool Conversations as she sits down with Marieamma Willis, an Educational Therapist, author, and Learning-Success™ Coach in private practice. Together, they dive into a refreshing perspective on ADHD, exploring how attention can be harnessed to focus on dreams, utilize humor, and make valuable discoveries. Marieamma shares her expertise and innovative strategies to help families and educators support children with ADHD in a positive and empowering way. Don’t miss this insightful discussion that promises to inspire and transform your approach to ADHD. Mariaemma is an Educational Therapist and Learning-Success™ Coach in private practice. She has been teaching, developing educational programs, and presenting workshops for over 30 years. She is co-author of the Self-Portrait™ Power Traits Assessment, the book Discover Your Child’s Learning Style, My Book of Me student workbooks, and Light Heart Parenting courses. Other books include: What to Do When They Don’t Get It and Learning Doesn’t Have to Hurt. Viewers like you funded similar episodes, and other free resources from SPED Homeschool. To learn how you can support the nonprofit work of SPED Homeschool and this broadcast, visit https://spedhomeschool.com/donate/ To find out more about SPED Homeschool, visit our website at https://spedhomeschool.com/ To learn about the other Empowering Homeschool Conversations Co-Hosts and their resources, visit: https://annieyorty.com/ https://www.youtube.com/@LivingWithEve https://elarplearning.com/ https://solimaracademy.com/Join our mission to empower homeschool families!: https://spedhomeschool.com/donate/ Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
Growing Great Writers: Strategies for Homeschooling Families
July 30, 2024 - 58 min
Are you a homeschooling parent struggling to inspire your child's inner author? Dive into this episode as Annie Yorty sits down with celebrated author and educator, Heidi Vertrees, to unlock the secrets of nurturing young writers in a homeschooling environment. Discover proven strategies, creative techniques, and personal anecdotes that will transform your homeschooling journey and ignite a passion for writing in your children. Don't miss this enlightening conversation that promises to equip you with the tools to grow great writers right at home! Heidi Vertrees, author and educator, manages New Song Press, a website where she posts blogs to encourage parents and teachers with helpful and fun writing projects that promote a Christian worldview. She loves to inspire children and teens to write for God’s glory. Heidi, who homeschooled her children and helped to raise a “bonus” daughter with Down syndrome, has taught in Colorado, Virginia, and Maryland in Christian, charter, and public schools. She is the award-winning author of Victor Survives Being a Kid. Written for children aged eight to twelve, Victor Survives Being a Kid weaves a thrilling tale full of adventure, humor, and inspiration told through the eyes of a fifth-grade boy. These days, Heidi teaches swimming to homeschoolers at Shepherd University in West Virginia and leads an after-school Good News Bible Club in Washington County, Maryland. To connect with Heidi visit her website link: https://www.newsongpress.net/ Viewers like you funded similar episodes, and other free resources from SPED Homeschool. To learn how you can support the nonprofit work of SPED Homeschool and this broadcast, visit https://spedhomeschool.com/donate/ To find out more about SPED Homeschool, visit our website at https://spedhomeschool.com/ To learn about the other Empowering Homeschool Conversations Co-Hosts and their resources, visit: https://annieyorty.com/ https://www.youtube.com/@LivingWithEve https://elarplearning.com/ https://solimaracademy.com/Join our mission to empower homeschool families!: https://spedhomeschool.com/donate/ Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
Conquering Math Anxiety-Strategies for Frustration-Free Learning
July 23, 2024 - 52 min
In this enlightening episode of Empowering Homeschool Conversations, host Peggy Ployhar sits down with Amy Sneath, the dynamic owner of Moxie Learning to talk about math anxiety and strategies for frustration-free learning. Amy takes us on a journey through the origins of math anxiety, offering insights on recognizing when your child has mastered a topic versus needing more practice. She delves into the transformative power of understanding concepts through the concrete, pictorial, and abstract stages. Discover why multiplication facts often trip up young learners and how conquering them can boost a child's confidence. Plus, Amy highlights the importance of incorporating games into learning and shares her expert tips on structuring an effective math lesson. Tune in for practical strategies to make math a fun and stress-free experience for your child! Amy Sneath earned her bachelor's degree in early childhood education, her eyes were opened to all that the homeschooling world offered. Since then, she created Moxie Learning, an alternative education platform that offers live virtual classes for students and resources to support homeschooling parents. Right now her and her husband, TJ are spending some time in their home state of California before heading out on their next adventure. They have lived in 8 states and 2 countries!   To connect with Amy visit her website link: https://mailchi.mp/moxielearning.us/classes Or look her up on social media @moxielearning Viewers like you funded similar episodes, and other free resources from SPED Homeschool. To learn how you can support the nonprofit work of SPED Homeschool and this broadcast, visit https://spedhomeschool.com/donate/ To find out more about SPED Homeschool, visit our website at https://spedhomeschool.com/ To learn about the other Empowering Homeschool Conversations Co-Hosts and their resources, visit: https://annieyorty.com/ https://www.youtube.com/@LivingWithEve https://elarplearning.com/ https://solimaracademy.com/Join our mission to empower homeschool families!: https://spedhomeschool.com/donate/ Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
Decoding Dyslexia-Unraveling the Neurodevelopmental Puzzle
July 16, 2024 - 60 min
Are you ready to dive deep into the world of neurodevelopment and discover the mysteries behind dyslexia? Join us in this enlightening episode as we sit down with Dr. Jan Bedell, a renowned Master Neurodevelopmentalist. With her extensive expertise and passion for helping individuals unlock their full potential. Tune in to uncover the keys to understanding and supporting dyslexic individuals and gain a fresh perspective on the incredible capabilities of the human brain. Don't miss out on this opportunity to learn from one of the leading experts in the field! Jan Bedell, PhD, Master Neurodevelopmentalist is a seasoned special education homeschool mom and President of Brain Sprints (formally Little Giant Steps), a neurodeveopmental curriculum, consulting and support company. Jan also serves as the board chair for SPED Homeschool Viewers like you funded similar episodes, and other free resources from SPED Homeschool. To learn how you can support the nonprofit work of SPED Homeschool and this broadcast, visit https://spedhomeschool.com/donate/ To connect with Jan and her resources, use this links: https://www.brainsprints.com/ To find out more about SPED Homeschool, visit our website at https://spedhomeschool.com/ To learn about the other Empowering Homeschool Conversations Co-Hosts and their resources, visit: https://annieyorty.com/ https://www.youtube.com/@LivingWithEve https://elarplearning.com/ https://solimaracademy.com/ Disclaimer: We apologize for the chopping conversation, but it was the best we could do to clean up the audio with our guest's poor internet connection.Join our mission to empower homeschool families!: https://spedhomeschool.com/donate/ Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
Parenting with Patience: Expert Advice on Managing Challenging Child Behavior
July 9, 2024 - 53 min
Navigating the complexities of parenting children who have experienced neglect or trauma can be daunting. In this episode, we sit down with Jayne E. Schooler to explore compassionate and effective strategies for managing challenging behaviors. Discover practical tips on fostering resilience, building trust, and nurturing emotional healing in your child. Tune in to learn how patience, empathy, and expert guidance can transform your parenting and homeschooling journey. Jayne E. Schooler is the author or coauthor of eight books in the field of child welfare, including Wounded Children, Healing Homes: How Traumatized Children Impact Adoptive and Foster Families and Parenting in Transracial Adoption: Real Questions and Real Answers. Jayne served full-time with Back2Back Ministries and regularly visited countries around the world to train and support organizations and ministries in creating trauma-informed programs. Jayne lives in Dayton, Ohio, is a mother by both birth and adoption as well is a grandparent of four. Viewers like you funded similar episodes, and other free resources from SPED Homeschool. To learn how you can support the nonprofit work of SPED Homeschool and this broadcast, visit https://spedhomeschool.com/donate/ To connect with Jayne and her resources, use these links: New book: https://mediacenter.tyndale.com/p/caring-for-kids-from-hard-places/9781646070466 Website: https://schoolerinstitute.org/ To find out more about SPED Homeschool, visit our website at https://spedhomeschool.com/ To learn about the other Empowering Homeschool Conversations Co-Hosts and their resources, visit: https://annieyorty.com/ https://www.youtube.com/@LivingWithEve https://elarplearning.com/ https://solimaracademy.com/Join our mission to empower homeschool families!: https://spedhomeschool.com/donate/ Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
Thriving Together-Strengthening Your Marriage While Raising a Child with Disabilities
July 2, 2024 - 57 min
In this episode of Empowering Homeschool Conversations, your host Annie Yorty and her special guests dive into the unique challenges and beautiful complexities of maintaining a strong, loving partnership while navigating the demands of special needs parenting. Our expert guests bring a wealth of knowledge and personal experience to the table, offering invaluable insights and practical strategies for fostering resilience, connection, and joy in your marriage. Whether you're homeschooling parents seeking support, or simply looking for ways to strengthen your relationship amidst life's challenges, this conversation promises to provide the inspiration and tools you need to thrive together. Let's embark on this journey of love and learning, together. Our guests, Dr. Todd and Kristin Evans, are celebrating 22 years of marriage. They are award-winning authors, speakers, and special needs parents. They co-authored their new book, How to Build a Thriving Marriage as You Care for Children with Disabilities (Baker Books). They both earned their MA in Christian Educational Ministries at Wheaton College in Illinois and have served together in full-time ministry in church, camping, and retreat settings. Todd received his PhD from Vanderbilt University’s School of Engineering and currently manages his own business, and Kristin earned her MSW from the University of Tennessee and is a Licensed Master Social Worker experienced in couples, child and family, substance abuse, and crisis counseling. They enjoy traveling and the outdoors together. To connect with our guests, visit: https://disabilityparenting.com/ https://www.amazon.com/Build-Thriving-Marriage-Children-Disabilities/dp/1540903737/ https://www.instagram.com/disabilityparenting/ To find out more about SPED Homeschool, visit our website at https://spedhomeschool.com/ To learn about the other Empowering Homeschool Conversations Co-Hosts and their resources, visit: https://annieyorty.com/ https://www.youtube.com/@LivingWithEve https://elarplearning.com/ https://solimaracademy.com/Join our mission to empower homeschool families!: https://spedhomeschool.com/donate/ Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
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Meet Your Host
Meet Your Host
Peggy Ployhar, SPED Homeschool Founder & CEO, is a physicist turned home educator who left a lucrative career in the medical device industry to teach the struggling learners in her own home.

Peggy founded SPED Homeschool in 2017 after working in the special education homeschooling industry for over a decade and now she and her team empower families across the globe to homeschool students with diverse learning needs.

She is certified by the American Association of Christian Counselors and trained as a Precept Bible Study leader. Peggy is also a professional aerial silks performer and instructor. In her free time, Peggy enjoys vegan/gluten-free cooking, paddle boarding, hiking and reading. She and her husband Doug live in League City, TX, and after 19 years of homeschooling have now graduated all three of their children from their home school.

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