Northland Homeschool Conference
Helping home educators thrive by connecting you to resources, practical tips, encouragement and connection!
Date: Tuesday, August 11, 2026
Location: Shoal Creek Community Church
6816 N. Church Road, Pleasant Valley, MO 64068
Vendor Fair Time: 5pm-6pm
Conference Time: 6pm - 8pm
Cost: $15
There are TWO steps to register for the conference.
You are NOT registered until both steps are completed.
Fill out the form below.
Go to this link to submit payment: https://buy.stripe.com/bJe3cwg5z5ufcTpbKA9ws01
After this conference you will walk away…
Feeling more confident in your homeschooling journey
Hearing perspectives and experiences of home educators in different contexts, such as multiple kids at home, teaching children with exceptional needs, etc.
With answers to your unique questions
With knowledge of all the businesses and organizations in the Northland that exist to support you
Schedule at a Glance
5-6 pm: Vendor fair
6-6:30: Opening speaker - Annie Palmer of Steward Your Education
6:30 -7: Panel of home educators
7-8: Breakout sessions
Expanded Schedule Information
Vendor Fair
We will bring you businesses and organizations that provide support, classes, services, etc to home educators in the Kansas City Northland. This will be anything from extra-curricular classes, to therapy services and more! It’s an opportunity for you to see who is out there locally to help you on this journey.
Check back here throughout the summer for an updated list of vendors.
Interested in being a vendor? Please reach out to Annie Palmer at stewardyoureducationkc@gmail.com for more information.
Opening Speaker
Annie Palmer
Annie Palmer is a former twenty-year public school educator and consultant turned homeschool educator. She is the founder of Steward Your Education, an organization that supports families and educators in the Kansas City area looking for non-traditional paths to education. She has a passion for walking beside those in non-traditional settings to provide support, encouragement, inspiration, resources, instructional ideas, literacy services and connection to others in the non-traditional school setting.
Panel of Home Educators
We are bringing you a panel of home educators and those who support home educators. They are living and doing the same important work you are. They will come from a variety of contexts (multiple kids at home, a child with exceptional needs, secondary home educators, etc). There’s no ONE way homeschool needs to look like as it’s tailored to your kids and your family’s needs. This panel will bring you a wealth of experience and knowledge!
Panel Announcements!
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Panel Announcements! 〰️
*More panelists will be announced soon!
Kendra Ryckman began her career as an elementary school teacher before transitioning to homeschooling, a journey that has now spanned more than ten years. Her love of rich literature and nature led her to the philosophy of Charlotte Mason and confirmed her conviction that education could be a beautiful life-giving experience. Kendra is passionate about helping mothers understand neurodiversity, reduce shame, and cultivate peaceful learning environments where every child is respect as a person. She and her husband, David, along with their six children, make their home in the midwest, where they enjoy the arts, exploring new parks, and hosting lively family room performances.
Kendra Ryckman
Annette Vaughn is a wife, mom of three boys, and a passionate champion for homeschool moms everywhere. After a professional career in human resources, she made the bold leap in 2017 to homeschool her boys full-time. That journey revealed a powerful truth: the best encouragement for homeschool moms is…other homeschool moms! This inspired her book Dear Homeschool Mom (2025) - a heartfelt collection of letters from 50 plus moms across the United States. And to further encourage homeschool moms, she donates 100 percent of all book proceeds to HSLDA’s Compassion Grant.
Annette Vaughn
Elena is a wife and homeschool mom of three: Two sons and one daughter. She has a heart for sharing community opportunities and the social aspect of homeschooling due to the dull experience her family had their first time homeschooling the 2020/21 school year. Aside from her role as wife and mother, Elena is also a substitute teacher for Park Hill School District, a preschool teacher for Sparrow Homeschool Enrichment, and an instructor at the USA Ninja Challenge gym. She is a member of Eagle Heights Baptist Church where she serve in the Children's Ministry, as well as the Women's Ministry.
Becky DeWitt is a wife, mother, mother-in-law, and grandma. Before beginning her homeschooling journey, Becky was actively involved in her local public school while running her own cleaning business. She successfully homeschooled her three children through high school, helping them navigate dual-credit classes, the SAT, CLEP exams, gap-year decisions, and plans for continuing education. Becky believes parents are a child's greatest influence and is passionate about encouraging and equipping families. She currently serves as the Children's Ministry Director at her local church, where she enjoys supporting parents as they invest in their children's spiritual growth and education.
Rachael Parnell lives in Lawson, Missouri with her husband and three children, ages 13, 9 and 8. The Parnell family has been homeschooling since 2021, gradually stumbling on a cadence that works for them. Both Rachael and her husband started their businesses the same year they began their homeschooling journey! Through organization, flexibility, and faith in the process, the Parnells strive to help their family thrive both academically and personally. Rachael enjoys encouraging other parents who are navigating the rewarding journey of balancing work, home, and education.
Elena Gordon
Becky DeWitt
Rachael Parnell
Breakout Sessions
This is what sets the Northland Homeschool Conference apart from others! We want to give you a chance to dig deeper into the topics that is most relevant to YOU! You will have the chance to meet in small groups with home educators and those who support home educators. The groups will collaboratively share ideas, resources, and support on your topic of choice. This is PERSONALIZED, CONNECTING and CONVERSATIONAL!
Breakout Session Announcements
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Breakout Session Announcements 〰️
Session Facilitator Kim Quon Home educator Missouri Families for Home Education assistant executive director
Session Facilitator Kendra Ryckman Home educator Charlotte Mason inspired approach
Session Facilitator Annette Vaughn Home educator Author of Dear Homeschool Mom
Session Facilitator Roni Townsend Home educator Co-founder of The Purpose People
Session Facilitator Jameson Bursey Home educator Co-founder of Wilding and Wonder
Breakout Session Topic: Missouri Homeschool Laws and Family Paced Education (FPE)
Understanding Missouri's homeschool options is essential for families making educational decisions. In this informational session, Kim Quon will provide an overview of Missouri homeschool law, explain the legal framework for Family Paced Education (FPE), and discuss the MOScholars program. Attendees will gain a clearer understanding of these educational options, the current legal distinctions, and where they fit within Missouri's homeschooling landscape. Whether you are new to homeschooling or seeking to better understand recent developments, this session will provide practical information to help you navigate Missouri's homeschool laws and educational pathways.
Session Facilitator Beth Muir Home educator Co-founder of The Purpose People
Breakout Session Topic: Strategies to breathe life into your homeschool for all students including those with neurodiversity
What does it look like to honor a child as a person when learning does not always follow a typical path? Kendra explores homeschooling neurodiverse children through the lens of Charlotte Mason's principle that "children are born persons." Drawing from her experience as a teacher, homeschool mother, and mother of children with varying abilities, she shares both the challenges and beauty of creating a learning environment that honors the whole person. This conversation will explore Mason's three tools of education: the atmosphere of the home, the discipline of habit, and the presentation of living ideas. Participants will consider practical strategies within these principles to support both students and mothers navigating ADHD, autism, dyslexia, and other forms of neurodiversity.
Breakout Session Topic: Navigating Difficult Times and Not Comparing Yourself to Others
Every homeschool family experiences challenging seasons, but it's easy to wonder if everyone else is doing it better. In this encouraging session, Dear Homeschool Mom author Annette Vaughn will share practical encouragement for navigating difficult times, overcoming the temptation to compare your homeschool to others, and finding confidence in your family's unique journey. Whether you're facing discouragement, uncertainty, or simply need a reminder that you're not alone, this session will offer hope and encouragement to help you move forward with renewed perspective.
Breakout Session Topic: Life After High School: Helping Your Teen Navigate What's Next
College is just one of many successful paths after graduation. In this interactive workshop, we'll explore today's postsecondary options—including college, trade school, apprenticeships, entrepreneurship, military service, certifications, ministry, gap years, and entering the workforce. Through guided discussion, practical activities, and shared experiences, you'll gain clarity on how to prepare your teen during the high school years and leave with actionable next steps to help them confidently pursue a future that aligns with their strengths, goals, and purpose.
Breakout Session Topic: Building a High School They Love: Designing Classes Around Your Teen's Natural Talents
Your homeschool doesn't have to look like anyone else's—and your teen's high school education shouldn't either. In this interactive workshop, we'll discuss practical ways to identify your teen's talents and interests, then explore how to turn those into meaningful high school courses, electives, projects, internships, volunteer opportunities, and real-world experiences. Through guided discussion and collaborative brainstorming, you'll leave with fresh ideas and a personalized starting point for building a high school experience your teen will love while preparing them for their future.
Breakout Session Topic: Strong Moms, Wild Kids: A Body-First Approach to Both
Jameson co-founded Wildling & Wonder, a nature-based program that works to honor and protect both motherhood and childhood. She holds a postgraduate degree in high performance sport and is a Primal Movement certified coach, though her focus has shifted from elite performance to helping women move well through every hormonal phase of life. Her work is built on one idea: motherhood and childhood both go better when we work with our bodies instead of against them. For moms, that means hormonally-aligned, pain-free movement that keeps you strong for the long haul. For kids; it means nature, real work, multi-age community, and present, connected adults. The conditions kids have always needed to grow and learn best. This session offers practical, (and actually doable) advice for how to honor both, without sacrificing one for the other.
Where ever you are in your homeschool journey, we're here to help you take the next step with confidence.
“Homeschooling is not about recreating school at home. It’s about creating an environment where your child can grow and thrive.”
— Tamara L. Chilver