Rachel Lebowitz
Charlotte Mason Your Way
Rachel Lebowitz is an expert in the Charlotte Mason method of education. She has years of experience helping homeschool families find a rhythm that suits their individual needs. She has developed wonderful resources to enhance the homeschooling experience for everyone in the family.
Rachel and her husband have always homeschooled their two children using the Charlotte Mason method.
Her motto is “Easier, Simpler, Your Way” because she believes that homeschooling should be “Easier, Simpler, and done Your Way.” You can find Rachel at cmplenary.com.
Sarah Collins
Taking your Children’s Therapy Goals Outside
Sarah Collins, MSOT, OTR/L is an occupational therapist with a background in both pediatrics and home health. In fact, working as an OT actually led her to homeschooling. When in a client’s home, Sarah was introduced to homeschooling and was amazed at the atmosphere of learning within the home. Later that year, due to a move, the opportunity to begin the Collins Academy of Excellence arose. Though the style of homeschooling has changed and morphed over the years, the overarching goal of ushering the kids towards their specific purpose has remained. After 2 years of homeschooling, Sarah consistently noticed that families were asking the same questions and though were experts on their child, could benefit from consulting with an occupational therapist for guidance within their homeschools. As a result, Collins Academy of Excellence grew into Collins Academy Therapy Services with the purpose of educating families on how to create homeschools specifically designed for their student’s needs. The other half of Collins Academy of Excellence is training Occupational Therapists to best serve the homeschool community. Combining both of these allows Collins Academy Therapy Services to provide resources for homeschools and occupational therapist to come together in guiding children towards their specific purpose in life.
You can find Sarah at www.homeschoolOT.com or on Instagram and Facebook where she hosts biweekly topics about OT and homeschooling.
Amy Bodkin
Special Needs Kids Are People Too!
Amy Bodkin is an Autistc Adult, School Psychologist, and Homeschool Mom to her two Autistic kids. She consults primarily with homeschool families as the Special Needs Consultant at A Charlotte Mason Plenary. She works with families who have experienced chronic health conditions, disabilities, trauma, asynchronous development, etc. Her practice is guided by Charlotte Mason’s idea that “Children are born persons” and makes it her goal to see each child as an individual, not a diagnosis.
Amy has recently started a new venture at www.amybodkin.com to provide a home to her advocacy work and her new podcast “Special Needs Kids are People Too!”
Peggy Ployhar
An Eclectic Approach to Charlotte Mason Homeschooling
Peggy Ployhar, SPED Homeschool Founder & CEO, is a leader in the special education homeschooling community and a frequent writer and speaker on specialized education homeschooling issues. This physicist turned home educator left a lucrative career in the medical device industry to teach the struggling learners in her own home, which eventually turned into a lifetime calling. Peggy founded SPED Homeschool in 2017 and now leads an organization that empowers thousands of families across the globe each year to create specialized home education plans. Peggy is also the host of the very popular live broadcast and podcast, SPED Homeschool Conversations, a weekly talk show where her guests address relevant issues related to customizing homeschooling for unique learners.
Peggy is the former THSC (Texas Home School Coalition) Special Needs Team Lead, MACHE (Minnesota Association of Christian Home Educators) Special Needs Coordinator and MOPS (Mothers of Preschoolers) Area Coordinator for MN, ND and SD. She is certified by the American Association of Christian Counselors and trained as a Precept Bible Study leader.
In her free time Peggy enjoys cooking, aerial silks, paddle boarding, hiking and reading.
Julie Polanco
What am I looking at? How to Get the Most Out of Your Nature Adventures
Julie Polanco, MH is an author, podcaster, blogger, speaker, and 19 year veteran homeschooling mom. She is a Master Herbalist and aromatherapist, sharing about “all things green and growing that God gave us” on her weekly podcast, Crunchy Christian Podcast. Her books include the highly rated God Schooling: How God Intended Children to Learn and 100 Ways to Motivate Kids. When she isn’t writing or teaching, you can find her hiking around Chicagoland or kayaking on Lake Michigan. Visit her website at Julie Naturally or follow her on Instagram @julie.naturally
Jennifer Dodrill
Life Skills for Teens – the Charlotte Mason Way!
Jen Dodrill has been married 34 years, is a proud mom to 5 kids, and she homeschooled the youngest three using the eclectic style. The “baby” graduated in May, but Jen refuses to bow to empty-nest syndrome! She teaches Oral Communication as an adjunct instructor and writes curriculum under History at Home at TeachersPayTeachers. When she’s not working, she’s spending time with her kids and adorable granddaughters. Connect with her on her blog – Jen Dodrill History at Home, Instagram, Facebook, and her favorite place – Pinterest!
See her favorite blog posts on homeschooling from Jen Dodrill History at Home:
- Everything you need to start homeschooling – AKA homeschooling 101
- Learning style – how does your child learn?
- 4 tips to make your homeschool planning easier
And, you can check out some of her homeschooling guest posts here:
- Yes, you can start homeschooling mid-year
- 3 key planning tips for new homeschool families
- Crisis learning – the 2020 version of homeschooling
Jen loves writing and creating curriculum. Check out her shop on TeachersPayTeachers and on her blog Jen Dodrill History at Home. She also teaches Oral Communication as an adjunct instructor – thank goodness for Zoom during this crazy time!
When she’s not working, she’s spending time with her kids and adorable granddaughters. Connect with her on Instagram, Facebook, and her favorite place – Pinterest!
Meghann Dibrell
Handicrafts for Homeschoolers
Meghann is a mom of three little ones, proud lefty, and unexpected country dweller who lives on 7 acres outside of San Antonio. She enjoys spending time in nature and working in the kitchen. Meghann is the creator of Rooted Childhood, a resource to inspire families with young children to create and connect through meaningful, seasonally inspired activities. She can be found online at www.rootedchildhood.com.
Gena Mayo
How To Do Music the Charlotte Mason Inspired Way
Gena Mayo is a homeschooling mom of 8 who has been teaching music in various forms for over 25 years. She has a Bachelors degree in Music Education and a Masters degree in Vocal Pedagogy (teaching voice lessons). It has been her joy to teach elementary and junior high choir, high school voice classes, private voice lessons for teens through adults, early childhood music and movement classes (babies through preschool), elementary general music, and music appreciation for elementary through high school. It is Gena’s desire to help all homeschoolers include music in their homeschools! Find her websites at ichoosejoy.org and MusicinOurHomeschool.com
Marjorie Lang
Composition: Charlotte Mason’s Developmental Approach to Writing
Marjorie Lang has been homeschooling since 2001 and is passionate about bringing Charlotte Mason’s wisdom to everyone regardless of religious background. She is co-creator of Wildwood Curriculum, the Stonechats podcast, and blogs at Juniper Pines.
Cindy West
Nature Journaling for Normal People (Simple Ideas for Creative Journaling)
Cindy West is passionate about homeschooling joyfully and loves to share practical, creative strategies to tackle things that so often steal joy in day-to-day homeschooling. She has written more than 30 nature study curriculum guides for all types of homeschoolers. Cindy is also known as Mrs. Cindy of No Sweat Nature Study LIVE, a membership where children can enjoy interactive, online science classes through the lens of nature study. Visit OurJourneyWestward.com to find more than a decade’s worth of blog posts, creative curriculum, and helpful homeschooling tools.
Richie Soares
How To Incorporate Read Aloud Time with a History Curriculum
Richie is the owner and creator of Homeschool and Humor, who is a homeschool mom of 2 elementary-aged kids and 1 tornado toddler. Traveling and homeschooling is their jam since it’s usually 70% of the year. And when they do get to their destination, homeschooling picks right up where they left off, especially with field trips and read alouds throughout the week. Whether it be for two weeks or for nine months, their home away from home is always full of love – and full of books! You can connect with Richie on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Pinterest, and YouTube as well as on her website Homeschool and Humor.
Ashley Weaver
Charlotte Mason Inspired Homeschooling the Early Years
Ashley is a former English teacher and current homeschool mom of 3. She is a Charlotte Mason enthusiast, but loves to teach her kids with her own adapted style. On her YouTube Channel JOYFUL NOISE LEARNING she encourages other homeschool families in discovering more about Charlotte Mason and how the method can help them find their own homeschooling style. She is the author of the eBook “Ready, Set, Homeschool!” a step by step guide to get started homeschooling. She also loves to sing, play board games, read several books at once, start but not finish projects, and have coffee dates with friends.