Adult Keynote Joint-Address

Dr. Oliver DeMille

Oliver DeMille is the founder and former president of George Wythe College, and the author of A Thomas Jefferson Education. Presently, he serves as Chancellor of the University and directs its graduate and doctoral programs. Oliver is a popular keynote speaker, writer and business consultant, and he is married to the former Rachel Pinegar.  They have eight children.

Dr. Shane S. Schulthies

Shane S. Schulthies received his PhD in Exercise Science from Brigham Young University where he subsequently taught for 13 years. He also has degrees in Physical Therapy and Sports Medicine. He is widely published and has lectured extensively in the United States, Europe and Asia. He has a broad background in academics, consulting, business, and government. He is currently pursuing a PhD in Constitutional Law. He is married to the former Kimberly Hanson. They have 10 children.

Forum Presenters

 The E’s and Ease of Helping Your Child Learn to Love Reading

We shouldn't teach great books;
we should teach a love of reading.
~ B. F. Skinner

The E’s of helping your child learn to love reading include Example, Exposure and Excitement. This workshop is full of ideas to help fuel your child’s love for literature and reading—whether that love is just a tiny spark or a blazing fire.  Some of these ideas include:  Library-palooza, Drop Everything and Read time, holiday literary traditions, tips for encouraging personal core classic study, Book Diva visits, and Book Club Parties. Some ideas are tried and true methods while others are unique and exciting, but all are designed to help children in each of the four phases to develop a love for books and reading.

“There are many little ways to enlarge your child’s world. Love of books is the best of all.”
~ Jacqueline Kennedy

Dr. Shanon Brooks is the President of George Wythe University, the leading college in the United States dedicated specifically to building Statesmen using the methods which trained great Statesmen from Joan of Arc to Washington, Jefferson and Adams to Lincoln, Churchill and Gandhi to Martin Luther King, Jr . and Mother Teresa .

A native of Seattle , Washington , Doctor Brooks is an author and a lecturer and has held teaching and administrative positions in a number of schools and businesses for over twenty years. He holds three earned degrees; a Bachelors degree in Business Administration, a Masters degree in Education and a Ph. D. in Constitutional Law. He has traveled extensively both domestically and internationally and has a background with US. Naval Submarine Fleet with tours in the North and South Atlantic Oceans . Doctor Brooks, his wife Julia, and their six children reside in Monticello , Utah .

The Freedom Crisis

This workshop is for those with a mission to support freedom in their life!  Crisis is when things significantly change, and the next decade will bring drastic changes to America's freedom structure.  There is a real chance for freedom to increase, but it will take a miracle.  If you feel it might be part of your mission (or that of any of your children) to help this miracle become a reality, don't miss this workshop.  A freedom action plan for the next 10 years!

Dr. Oliver DeMille 

Oliver DeMille is the founder and former president of George Wythe College, and the author of A Thomas Jefferson Education. Presently, he serves as Chancellor of the University and directs its graduate and doctoral programs. Oliver is a popular keynote speaker, writer and business consultant, and he is married to the former Rachel Pinegar.  They have eight children.

The Georgic Tradition and Modern Agricultural Trends

Have you wanted to include Georgics in your TJEd home but feel that you don’t have the time, resources, or know-how?  Is it just one more thing you ought to do but can’t seem to get done?  Do you have a child who feels it is their mission to feed the hungry?  Come join William DeMille as he teaches a basic hands-on approach to inspiring not only your children but yourself to grow the best produce available.  Find out why it is so essential for us to have Georgic leadership in today’s high-tech agricultural environment.  Learn why georgics isn’t the straw that breaks the homeschooler’s back, but rather the foundation that strengthens everything else you do, just as it was for the American founding generation. 

Highlights from Oliver DeMille's and Tiffany Earl's upcoming book on Mentoring

Featuring:

•  The 7 Types of Mentors--their role and function
•  Tips for Mentees
•  The Art of Mentoring
   

Tiffany Earl graduate with an MA and BA from George Wythe University. She is the Author of Inteligro Math, and Co-Author of The Mentor with Oliver DeMille, as well as Co-author of The New Commonwealth Schools with Aneladee Milne. She is the President and co-founder of Leadership Education Mentoring Institute, Creator of the Thomas Jefferson Youth Certification scholar project. Author of The Thomas Jefferson Planner with Oliver DeMille. Tiffany is the mother of 5 children and wife of Richard D. Earl.

Julie Earley is the former Dean of Extension Studies at George Wythe University and a professor of liberal arts. In addition, Dr. Earley has spent the last 8 years mentoring parents who educate their children at home. Having been homeschooled herself, she draws from both personal experience and her Doctorate in Education from George Wythe University for her unique perspective. Dr. Earley is presently publishing a series of books to assist parents in mentoring their children in classical literature. A mother of two, she and her husband Daniel reside in Lehi, Utah.

Simulations:
The Whole is Bigger than the Parts

What exactly is a simulation for love of learning phase kids?  What are the parts and how do they go together?  What exactly is debriefing and why is it so important?  A large part of  the population learns best through simulations and you can provide those experiences for your children and youth.  Simulations that teach and are remembered can play a huge role in making your children's education much more effective by burning it into their neuron pathways.  Come to this class to hear about and understand the plan, the process and the implementation.  Warning: Anyone averse to having fun while homeschooling should not attend.

Cyndi Hampton and her husband, Steve, reside in North Ogden where they enjoy raising their 7 delightful children, aged 7-20, whom she has lovingly and happily homeschooled for the past 16 years - with only a few minor lapses in the afore mentioned adjectives. She is a Co-founder of Polar Star Youth Education Association and has had the wonderful opportunity to work with many other homeschool families as they have built a educational community. She has a B.A. from the University of Utah, with a double major, Mathematics and English Literature. The greatest pleasure in her life has been to see her own children take off in their education - especially when it involves acting like a real leader, followed closely by seeing others' children and her own friends doing the same. She encourages her children to do funny things that aren't too dangerous and hopes they will make their mark on the world with minimal damage to others’ property. She is on the 30-year plan to get her master's degree from GWU and hopes that she can finish it before she dies.

Michelle Harkey, mother to five wonderful children and wife to Douglas, has a background in Montessori that spans 11 years, including three years working with The Montessori School of Flagstaff. She now uses that knowledge and TJEd as she home schools her children and teaches other parents through community classes. Michelle graduated with a BS in Accountancy from Northern Arizona University and is currenly enrolled at George Wythe University.

Gaylene V. Hatch holds a Masters Degree in Education. She has taught in primary and post-secondary institutions and travels the U.S. and Canada speaking at educational seminars and conferences. Gaylene is the director of West Wind Seminars, which focus on restoring educational and cultural traditions among Native Americans. She is currently teaching leadership full time at Paradigm High - a TJ Ed based Charter SchoolGaylene is pursuing her PhD in Constitutional Law and is the proud mother of three wonderful children.

Ruel Haymond is married to the lovely Tresa Marshall Haymond and together, they have six children. Ruel is currently a PhD candidate for the Thomas Jefferson Degree at George Wythe University. He is currently teaching at the American Heritage School in American Fork and working as a contractor in curriculum and course design as well as teaching seminars.

Tresa Haymond finds great joy and challenge in being a mother. She spends most of her time praying and pondering how to be a more effective homemaker, wife, homeschooling mother, and servant of the Lord. She relishes any time she can find to write poetry, create multimedia family history videos, or snuggle with a good book.

How does a man learn to balance his traditional role as breadwinner, protector, and father in the home with taking a more active part in his family's leadership education?  Too many of us allow mom to do the educational heavy lifting while we decompress with a remote control in our hands.

This workshop will help inspire fathers to recognize the vital role they can play in helping to raise a generation of

leaders by showing through their active participation the value of gaining a world class education.

Bryan is a Salt Lake City native and proud father to six children and along with his wife Becky has been involved with TJed for the past 7 years.  Bryan is currently pursuing a graduate degree in Political Economy at George Wythe University in Cedar City.  Bryan is a radio commentator, a newspaper columnist and a speaker with the Face to Face with Greatness seminars.  He loves reading and writing, cooking with dutch ovens, and spending time outdoors with his family. He does professional voice work through his company One Clear Voice.      

You Deserve a Great Education!

We work so hard as parents raising and teaching our children that it’s easy to put off our own education. But NOW is the best time to begin. You deserve a great education just like your children. Come learn ideas about where to start, how to make the best use of the little time you have, how to get past the hurdles, and much more. It is possible for you to get a great education! It’s not as hard as you might think.

Adult Skills: Household Management

Is managing and maintaining your home taking all the time and energy you have and still the work never seems to be finished?  Do you feel you spend more of your time recovering from chaos than you spend learning, growing and enjoying your home school? Do you feel like the walls are literally closing in on you as the piles of things to be organized and put away continue to grow?  If this describes your home…you are not alone!  

Come and learn how to make your home truly manageable with time saving tips to minimize seemingly overwhelming, never-ending chores such as dishes and laundry.  Learn how to get your family in on the work by incorporating a fair and positive work system while helping you and your family members (dad’s included) establish the habits and skills needed to get things running smoothly.   Leave with ideas on how to de-clutter and organize your home to create an environment that invites learning and growth.

Annette Jones

Annette Jones is a thirty-something, home-schooling, entrepreneuring, wife of one, mother of three, over worked woman with no time to mess around with dishes and dirty clothes!  Over the past 6 years Annette has turned the Core Phase principle of family work into a serious Scholar Phase project.   Through intense study and application, trial and error, she now has SKILLS …Adult Skills- that she didn’t have before!  Consistent with Annette’s personality, when she finds something that works, that she can be passionate about, she shares it with all.  She hopes her time and talents save others from wasting time reinventing the wheel and let them start off miles ahead of where she did! 

In addition to teaching others about home management, Annette runs 2 home based businesses: one focused on health and weight loss (her current obsession) and the other on home décor.  In the past she has served as a Liberty Girl Advisor and AYLI Liberty Girls Liaison and currently serves as the Hospitality Coordinator for the Forum.

Bonnie Jones lives in Kaysville, Utah, with her husband Stan and children: Travis, 16, and Valerie, 18. She has a BA in English and French Education from BYU and spent a semester abroad in Paris, where she learned to love the arts. She received an MA in Education from George Wythe University through the GWU Extension program. She now mentors others in the GWU Extension classes and Statesmanship Seminars and also mentors a scholar phase mom school using the “Everything is History” approach.

Amy Kenney

Amy Kenney is the co-founder, owner of North Star Realty, the second largest independent real estate brokerage in Utah, along with her husband, Shawn.  They successfully own and operate six other businesses currently, and have built and sold many in the past.  Amy is the author of "Reach the Dream:  Create a Fortune in Real Estate Even if Your Circumstances Are Less Than Fortunate."  Amy and Shawn are real estate investors and have purchased, leased and sold properties in Salt Lake County for the last ten years.  They are the parents of eight homeschooled children with amazing entrepreneurial vision and numerous thriving businesses between them.  Amy has been a lifelong entrepreneur, since her founding of a worm sales empire at age eight.  She has presented on entrepreneurship to adults and children and has mentored youth through an entrepreneurship club.  She enjoys the outdoors and all outdoor activities, particularly paragliding, visiting historical sites, strategizing, coming up with ideas, reading, writing, playing with her children, building Zion, educating, inspiring, and uniting and especially, discovering and empowering the gifts and talents of others.  She resides with her husband and children in Draper, Utah.

Rendering Greatness:
The Art of Elocution

Parents can be inspiring, but how many of us were educated to speak the

"inspire" language.  This is what Elocution offers. Traditionally

Elocution is the art of public speaking in which gesture, vocal production, and delivery are emphasized. It is in fact so much more; Elocution is the language of inspiration.  Whether on the couch at home with your children or in the public arena, elocution can help you tell

your story and change your audience.

Patrick Henry, Lincoln, Gandhi, Martin Luther King Jr. and Reagan were

powerful communicators because they mastered and applied the art of

elocution. As influential as these men were, perhaps the greatest impact

can be made in our own homes and communities. If we are to take our place as leaders in the 21st century we must begin to speak transformationally,

impacting the people who matter the most.

Martha Harsh Levie

Martha Harsh Levie is the wife of Allen Levie, and the mother of 5. She was educated at home by wonderful parents and now educates her own children on their four acres in Cedar City Utah . Martha has a great deal of experience presenting and performing and has taught classes for children, youth and adults. Last year she and her husband started Elocution 360, an organization that teaches the art of transformational speaking. Martha has a BA in Statesmanship and Literature from George Wythe University.

Ann Meeks grew up among many teachers. Both her parents were at one time public educators as well as her grandmother and other family members. It seemed natural for her to follow suit. After graduating from Utah State University with degrees in English, Secondary Education, Journalism and Music she went on to teach high school literature and writing in Salt Lake City and Portland, Oregon. Never in her wildest dreams did she think she would become a homeschooling mom but she and her husband Jesse are in their sixth adventurous year. In the fall of 2006, she and her husband Jesse opened a Legacy Leadership Academy, private classical liberal arts high school. Currently she is working toward a Master’s Degree in education from George Wythe College. She also is a mentor teaching education classes in the George Wythe University extension program. By far her favorite and most challenging endeavor is to be an inspiring and loving teacher to four fabulous children, Andrew, 16, Daniel, 13, Jessica, 10 and Jacob, 8.

Dr. Jesse Meeks has owned and operated his own chiropractic practice for 13 years. He is a graduate of Utah State University and Western States Chiropractic College. Not really convinced about homeschooling in the beginning, he is now glad his family made the commitment to bring their children from a successful experience in public school and begin a whole new adventure. Taking a leap of faith to fulfill a part of his mission, in the fall of 2006 Jesse, along with his wife, Ann opened Legacy Leadership Academy, a private classical liberal arts scholar school. He serves as the primary mentor for an amazing group of youth which continue to amaze and challenge him every day. When Jesse is not studying, studying or studying, he enjoys reading to his children, skiing, serving in his church and sleeping. He is married to Ann Meeks and they have 4 wonderful children.

The Heart of a Man

Men have a critical role to play in the education of their children.  In order to function properly in our role, we must first become convicted in our hearts that there is nobody else better suited to pass on the principles of true manhood than we are.  Come join us as we discuss what constitutes the heart of a man, and how we are especially well-suited to engage in our children’s educational process.  Learn how we can overcome our “wounds” and break free from incorrect societal expectations of men as we immerse ourselves in the classics and model important manly traits for our children, family, and others.  Join us in the Renaissance of true manhood!

Dale Millsap

Dale Millsap is the father of five boys between the ages of 2 and 11.  Dale was born the tenth of fourteen children, and spent his core phase being mentored through work and play at home by parents and older siblings.  His primary and secondary education was an eclectic blend of private, public, and home school.  Opportunities for learning, working, and teaching have taken him to Argentina, Russia, France, Germany, Thailand, Uruguay, Canada, and all over the United States.  He spends as much time as possible in the outdoors, especially if there is a peak to be climbed and a quiet spot to sit and read a good book.  He is actively involved in Neighborhood Watch, Boy Scouts, and other volunteer opportunities.  He received a BS in Mechanical Engineering from Utah State University in 1999 and is employed by Williams Gas Pipelines in Salt Lake City.  Dale is a PhD student at George Wythe College.  Arguably the best decision he ever made was to invite Angela to join him in life's adventure twelve years ago - they reside in West Valley City, Utah.

Nicholeen Peck is a mother of four and previous foster parent of many. She has been trained and certified in using the “Teaching Family Model”, which was developed at Boys Town and is used by the Utah Youth Village. Nicholeen did foster care for very difficult teens. She taught children with ADHD, OCD, kleptomania, compulsive lying, anger control issues, etc. She said, “I taught behaviors, not medication. They would come to us on many medications and usually leave not on any medications. Many children are misdiagnosed. They just need to learn cause and effect better.” She has been teaching self-government skills to people all over the country for 10 years and is currently working on a book on this subject. Nicholeen is 5 Pillar Certified through George Wythe University.

At the Foot of the Giant
 

Newton said that if he had seen farther than others it was because he had stood on the shoulders of giants.  A great education, an education in classics, does just that - expanding our vision and our abilities.  But how do you make the climb to that imposing shoulder?  This class will provide practical ideas to begin the ascent together.  This class is the You with Them – how to get your own great education while mentoring theirs.  There will be ideas and resources you can use for Kidschool, building your family library, and more.  This class is for anyone who is new to self-education, or who just needs a boost on their climb.

Dan Ralphs is a native of Ukiah, California.  He holds a Master’s Degree in Education from George Wythe College.  A popular speaker Mr. Ralphs has lectured in eleven different states and three different countries on a variety of subjects including education, leadership, personal success and politics. After years of working for George Wythe College, one of the premier leadership schools in the nation. He has returned to his true love of teaching at Williamsburg Academy, a small leadership-focused private school, where he is the primary mentor of 15 “very talented” high school age students. He is married to the former Allison Schnepf and they reside in Enoch, Utah with their three children Jay, Malia and Caleb.

Kim Simmerman has practiced and taught good family nutrition for 15 years.  Her inspired example has helped many to climb the ladder of vibrant living with willing families on board.   She is a firm believer that families grow strong and healthy with a delicious nutrition habits and a few healthy skills under their belts.   Kim's "How to Feed Your Family" seminars, taught in her home, are a great success for families who are ready for their next step in nutrition.   This year she is debuting her "How to Feed Your Family" Webinar via TJed Online.

Kim is a graduate and former faculty member of George Wythe College and Founder of Vibrant Families.  She resides in Southern Utah with her husband Craig and their 6 children.

Dr. Elizabeth Smailes

Dr. Elizabeth Smailes is a Mentor at George Wythe University. One of our more experienced mentors, Liz has traveled the Southwestern United States extensively with her husband Joe during their 30 years of marriage. Beginning as a nursery school teacher, Liz put Joe through school and then moved with him to Texas after he graduated where she worked on an exotic game ranch. Her next educational experience was a nursing program in Northern California followed by 10 years as a certified sign language interpreter. During this same time she also taught a high school level religious studies course for 5 years.

Mrs. Smailes has owned and operated her own business for the last 17 years. Liz holds three earned degrees from George Wythe; Statesmanship (B.A., 2002), Education (M.A., 2004) and Constitutional Law (Ph.D., 2008). Although she is grateful for all of her life’s experiences, her greatest claim to fame is her 5 children and 3 grandchildren. Mrs. Smailes resided in Cedar City, Utah with her husband Joe.

Kathleen O. Sorensen and her husband, Paul, are the proud parents of 10 children, including 6 adopted special needs children and two recent George Wythe College graduates. Mrs. Sorensen has been involved with teaching special needs children for almost 40 years. She received her Bachelors and Masters Degrees from the University of Utah in the 1970's. She has taught in public, private, and home school settings. Mrs. Sorensen owned and directed a private school for gifted learning disabled and other special needs children for a number of years. She is a certified public school teacher and is currently employed by the Utah Schools for the Deaf and Blind as a teacher of multiply disabled hearing impaired students. She implements a Thomas Jefferson Education Model in her classroom. She has been an educational consultant to families for many years. She continues to do post-graduate studies in autism, deafblindness, neurocardiology (the neurological effect of love on cognition), and neuroscience.

“The proof is in the pudding” or something like that.  Although Candice does not take total credit for the wonderful children coming out of the Winters home, no one would question her influence in the lives of her seven children.  Ages 16 to 2, each is receiving the attention and dedication only an Angelic Mother can provide.  Candice brings an inspiring yet realistic view of home schooling children through each of the learning phases identified in the TJED model whenever she is asked to speak.  “How do you do it?” is a common question she is asked.  And while each family must implement true principles in ways that work for their family, Candice is always happy to share her thoughts and experiences of how the Winters family ‘does it’.  Although she sees herself as a ‘common garden-variety mother’, others see her as a model to be emulated and a friend to be cherished.  Candice embraces motherhood and welcomes any opportunity to encourage others to ‘come home’ and return to traditional family relationships and lifestyles.  She has been married to her husband, Jerry, for nearly 18 years.  After their first five children were born (all boys), Candice and Jerry were pleased to welcome their last two children (both girls) into their Family.  Candice is an accomplished pianist and has passed that love on to her children.  Candice lives in Lake Point, Utah.