Gulf Coast Home Education Conference (2010) - SETHSA is looking toward the 24th annual summer conference. The dates are Friday & Saturday, June 4-5, 2010.

Our mission to help families as they endeavor to homeschool, help the community of homeschoolers stay connected, and to provide training for parents as they strive for excellence in their home will continue to be a mainstay in the southeast region of Texas. Even as some things stay the same, there are new changes on the horizon. As we breach the new horizon and move our conference to the lovely Houston Baptist University Campus (HBU) we are looking forward to some new things.

DEBBIE STRAYER received her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in education from Florida State University. She is the former editor and co-founder of Homeschooling Today^™ magazine, the author of Gaining Confidence to Teach, one of the co-authors of the Learning Language Arts Through Literature series and editor of The Homeschool Answer Book by Dr. Ruth Beechick. As you see, Debbie’s fingerprints literally on the pages of homeschool history through all of her accomplishments, you will understand the special gift she brings to the homeschool community.

Encouragement…. Information….. Inspiration….. These are a few of the results of attending a seminar by Debbie Strayer. Debbie's gift for speaking brings each topic to life with humor, honesty, and years of homeschooling experience. This, along with her educational expertise will undoubtedly be a bright and guiding light for homeschool moms who need one.

TODD WILSON author of Help! I’m Married to a Homeschooling Mom and the Official Book of Homeschooling Cartoons, is a dad, writer, conference speaker, and former pastor. Todd’s humor and gut-honest realness have made him a favorite speaker at homeschool conventions across the country and a guest on Focus on the Family. His articles have appeared in various magazines, including Christian Parenting Today, Men of Integrity, and Stand Firm.

Todd and his wife Debbie, along with their eight children spend several months of the year traveling the country encouraging moms and dads. His humor and straight talk to men and women has become his trademark.

JIM WEISS has been a storyteller for over 25 years. In June, 1989, Jim decided to do something more with the craft that he had formerly practiced solely for pleasure. He and his wife, Randy, formed a production company, Greathall Productions, and have thus far produced forty three (43) storytelling recordings with enticing titles from classical literature, such as Greek Myths, King Arthur and Sherlock Holmes. Jim's Greathall line is the recipient of more than 80 major national awards.

Jim travels extensively throughout The United States, giving live performances at stores, libraries, schools and community events. He has hosted and starred in a PBS television pilot that won a Northern California Emmy for "Best Children's Show," and has even performed at THE WHITE HOUSE Annual Easter Event. As a storyteller, Jim's performances have been described as exciting and enchanting. His connection to his audience is magnetic and interactive, proof positive that storytelling today rejuvenates one of the first and most personal forms of entertainment. Adults and children alike leave the performance feeling that they have really met characters from a wide range of classic literature and folk tales. Jim's presentations garner heightened respect for the art of storytelling and the literature itself.

Friday Family Night, a special concert occurring in conjunction with the conference, will be held in the beautiful Dunham Theater on the HBU Campus. In addition to our speakers, the All Stars Youth Banjo Band of Houston will join us as well. Comprised largely of homeschoolers, the All Stars range in age from 7 to 18 and are sure to put a smile on your face and a tap in your toes. If you want to hear some great music, laugh, be encouraged and be captivated as a talented storyteller weaves his tales, then don’t miss this special time. This will be a relaxing time for the entire family to gather together for some wholesome homeschool fun.