Ms. Susan K. Stewart:  Homeschool Conference Speaker and Workshop Leader Details

• Business: Home Economics and Personal Finances

Preschool: At What Cost
Research and studies done in the last 20 years show that children NEED early formal academics. Or, does it? Pressure has been mounted on parents to have some type of formal preschool program to prepare their children for learning. Susan, author of Preschool: At What Cost, presents the findings of studies and reports that haven’t made the headlines. She will present information to put your mind at ease about preschool academics.

Wake Up and Smell the Crayons
The need for preschool is a hot topic. Do you need to send your child to preschool? Do you need to start teaching at the age of 2? Will you child fall behind? Susan answers these questions and more in this very practical session.

The Fractured Home School
Do you feel like you misunderstood God's call for homeschooling? This intimate and personal session discuss what appears to our human eyes to be failures. Susan Stewart presents a personal testimony about God's victories in the Fractured Home School. (Suitable for keynote)

Developing a Standard with No Compromise
Learn how to develop a Biblical standard for your home that fits the needs of your family and will keep you on course when the desert gets hot and the manna is old. (Suitable for keynote)

The Frugal Homeschooler
Is the cost of curriculum and materials getting you down? Do you have a garage full of unused books and supplies? With 19 years experience, Susan gives methods of saving money and making wise choices in acquiring your school materials.

Why Am I Doing This? Philosophy of Education in Seven Easy Steps
You know that you should have a written philosophy of education because it is the foundation of your home school. If you didnt stay awake during Philosophy 101, you may wonder just how you write something so lofty. In this hands-on workshop, Susan will take you through seven steps to writing your philosophy of education. When finished you will have the backbone your written educational beliefs. Come prepared to work.

Beyond Google
Using the internet in your homeschool can go beyond searching for obsure facts. Building web sites, selling on auctions sites, blogging and moderating groups can be a fun way to incorporate the internet. Your child can learn nearly every subject under the sun by taking part in these activities. Susan K. Stewart has more than 30 years of computer experience and used the internet in her homeschool for most of their teaching years. She is a web content manager and has her own web sites and blogs. She will share some ideas for using the internet beyond Google, along with some simple how-tos. Teens are welcome to take part.

YouTube, MySpace, and Blogs. Oh My.
Parents continue to be bombarded with sensational stories about the evils of the Internet. Can your children be a part of the social phenomena without falling prey to bad things. Susan Stewart says a resounding YES! The internet offers a wealth of good experiences, even YouTube and MySpace. Susan shows parents how to guide their children through these new territories, use them for learning experiences, and even join in the fun. Teens are welcome to come and share their thoughts and experiences.

Herding Cats
You've been asked, begged, or cajoled into leading a group of homeschoolers. It doesn't need to be a big task that takes over your life. Susan presents how she tackled issues such as the telephone, schedules, and helping new homeschoolers. She will also share how she taught her children leadership skills through family involvement. This session will be of interest to adults and teens, no matter what level of leadership.

A Learning Way of Life
It wasn't long after beginning to home school, that  Susan found that more learning was taking place outside the books. Her family began to use life as the foundation for their curriculum. This session will cover how-to have a lifestyle of learning and how to ease into this learning method without feeling like you are missing important topics.

Curriculum Everywhere! What Do I Use?
There is so much advice about what materials and methods to use to teach with that even a veteran becomes confused and overwhelmed. This session will look at different methods and materials in a way that will guide you to what fits your family. Whether you are a beginner or a vet drowning in unused books, this workshop will help.

Relaxed High School Records
 Susan takes the panic out of transcripts, course descriptions, and other high school records. She presents methods that she used in her own homeschool using the least amount of paperwork she could.  Susan also explores how to turn life experience into high school courses and recording them in a professional manner.

Paving the Way To College
As more home-schooled students reach college-age, more colleges are accepting and even seeking these students. Susan will discuss how to prepare your children for college, including a recommended course of study, how to prepare records, how to apply, and looking for scholarships. She will also present studies concerning home-schooled students in college and helpful hints from college admission officers.

College, Careers, and Choices
Not all home school graduates are destined for Harvard. God has a plan for each one and this workshop helps parents look at the options, use the tools available to help their child know God's plan and explore alternatives to college immediately after high school.

• Author: Preschool: At What Cost? and Science in the Kitchen: Fearless Science At Home For All Ages
• Co-author: Y2K in the City
• Teaches Christian Parent Educator Certificate classes
• Columnist: The California Parent Educator magazine
• Proofreader and editor for Christian Home Educators Press
• Began homeschooling in 1981, graduated three children
• Associations: Christian Home Educators Association of California, Christian Proofreaders & Editors Network, Society of Professional Journalists
• Mental health family advocate

Susan began homeschooling in 1981 and is considered a homeschool "pioneer" With her husband, she formerly owned an Independent Study Program, Highland Christian Schools and helped advise other groups to start. Her three children have graduated from homeschool. Susan is currently Communications Manager for CHEA of California.

In addition to homeschooling, Susan and her husband have been active advocates for family members of those who suffer with mental illness. They are trained Family-to-Family teachers, as well as peer support group facilitators. Susan has received commendations for her volunteer services in the area of mental health. She is available to speak to community groups, churches, and family groups.