27th Annual Homeschool Conference & Curricula Fair

Art Bennett has a B.A. in philosophy and an M.A. in counseling psychology from Santa Clara University. He has co-authored three books on temperament, seven books in total with Laraine, and one with their daughter, Dr. Lianna Bennett Haidar, on anxiety. Art is a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist with more than 35 years of clinical experience, currently practicing at Bennett Consulting and Therapy, LLC. He served for 10 years as President and CEO of Catholic Charities, Diocese of Arlington; eight years as co-founder and Director of the Alpha Omega Clinics in Northern Virginia and Maryland, and 15 years as Vice President of international mental health with Science Applications International Corporation (SAIC). 

Laraine Bennett has a B.A. in philosophy from Santa Clara University and an M.A. in philosophy from the University of California, Santa Barbara. She created the game, Know Thyself! The Game of Temperaments (Sophia Institute Press, 2022) and has written two solo books, The Little Way of Living with Less: Learning to Let Go with the Little Flower (Sophia Institute Press, 2022) and A Year of Grace: 365 Reflections for Caregivers (OSV, 2014). Art and Laraine are frequent speakers on marriage and family issues, nationally and internationally. They have four adult children and 12 grandchildren.

KEYNOTE: Called to Greatness, Formed at Home: How Understanding Temperament Helps Cultivate Virtue and Family Harmony

Description: Art and Laraine offer an engaging overview of the classic four temperaments, exploring how this God-given aspect of our personality shapes the way we learn, relate to others, and grow in virtue. Drawing on lively examples from their own family life, as well as current psychological research, they share how understanding temperament can help strengthen family bonds, foster virtue, and lead us toward true greatness in service to Christ and the Church.

SECOND “INTERACTIVE TALK”: Temperament in Action: Interactive Tools for Calmer, More Cooperative Families

Description: Through lively, interactive exercises, Art and Laraine will help participants recognize temperament-based reactions and offer ways to calm anxiety, replace defensiveness with love, and build a more cooperative, growth-minded family culture. 

Phillip Campbell holds a B.A. in European History from Ave Maria University and a certificate in Secondary Education through Madonna University. He has worked in a variety of educational settings throughout his career and has taught history for Homeschool Connections for 17 years. Mr. Campbell is best known as the author of the popular Story of Civilization series by TAN Books and has authored many other books on Catholic history and culture. Mr. Campbell has appeared on EWTN and Ave Maria Radio, and is a regular speaker at homeschool events around the country. Mr. Campbell has been involved in homeschooling his own children for more than 20 years.

TALK: You Give Them Something to Eat

Description: "You give them something to eat" (Matt. 14:16). Food is a powerful symbol of education, of spiritual and intellectual nourishment. When we opt to homeschool our children, we are deciding to give "them something to eat," rather than send them to others for their sustenance. But how can we give our children the nourishment they need when we ourselves feel like we are running empty? This talk unpacks the concept of “giving them something to eat” when we ourselves feel like we have nothing to offer: when our energy has run out, when our mind is blank, when we have lost our vision—when we need a miracle of multiplication to get our homeschooling back on track.

Carolyn and Martin Forte are the owners of Excellence In Education Homeschool Resource Center in Monrovia, California. Carolyn is a former elementary school teacher and Sunday School Director, and is currently the principal of a private school for homeschoolers in California. She is a Certified Learning Success Coach with the Learning Success Institute in Ventura, California and has done extensive study in Special Needs and Learning Disabilities. Over the last 25 years, she and her husband have mentored hundreds of homeschool families, including many with a variety of special needs. 

TALK: Understanding Learning Problems

Description: Is your child experiencing difficulties with learning? There are many causes for learning problems and there are just as many ways to help a child who is struggling. In most cases, understanding your child's unique learning style and developmental level can work wonders. In cases where there are physical, psychological, and/or developmental problems, understanding how to adapt your curriculum and learning schedule will help your child achieve his highest potential. 

In addition to more obvious physical special needs, children are now labeled with a confusing array of “alphabet soup” diagnoses that can be more mystifying than enlightening. Although the strategies employed to support each child will be different, there are certain universal principles that apply to all children with learning delays, problems and obstacles. Carolyn and Martin will share these principles, along with a variety of ideas, techniques and resources they have collected over the years.

Maile Dafun-Long is a daughter in Christ, a wife, and a mother of three. She holds a B.S. in Behavioral Science, a Master's Degree in Counseling Studies, a certificate from the National Council Association of Diocese Directors for Hispanic Ministry, a certificate from the Catholic Social Teaching Certificate Program for Hispanic/Latino Regional Facilitators, and is an Encounter Ministry graduate. She is navigating life led by the Lord, highlighting truths of the feminine genius, and is cherishing homeschooling at the moment.

TALK: Navigating a Catholic Homeschooling Lifestyle

Description: Maile will share an introduction to homeschooling, focusing on nurturing children's souls and academic growth, and viewing education as a partnership with God. Key elements include choosing a program, tailoring methods to learning styles through trial and error, and creating a faith-filled home environment. She will also discuss various resource topics, including Catholic curricula, co-ops, and how to legally homeschool in California.