Big Country Home Educators

2010 Back to School Event and Vendor Fair

Saturday ~ August 28th, 2010

University Church of Christ

$3.00 per individual BCHE member or $10.00 max per BCHE member family

$5.00 per non-member or $15.00 max per non-member family

8:30 Early Registration, donuts and coffee in the family room

9:00 (Family Room) - Sonya Sherrod "We're Not in Kansas Anymore!"

- Is the yellow brick road taking us where we really want to go? Are we teaching the same way we were taught? Are there alternatives? If so, what are they? Take a peek into the purpose of compulsory education in the United States. If we don?t share their objectives, should we model their instruction?

After homeschooling her two children in the 90s, she was driven by her love of mathematics and teaching to pursue a college education. She envisioned a career of teaching high school mathematics in a West Texas public school. What she learned at the university derailed her dream.  Sonya Sherrod holds a B.S. and M.A. in Mathematics and a Ph.D. in Curriculum & Instruction. She has conducted and published research in project-based instruction and fostering learning through discourse.

9:00 (classroom A) - Jean-Noel Thompson "What school do you go to??" Students listen up.  You do not want to miss the opportunity to hear Jean-Noel Thompson encourage you, relate to you and fire you up for an excellent year!

Dr. Jean-Noel and Tonya Thompson have been married for 19 years and are blessed with 6 children (four girls and two boys): Tatyana 15, Dyani 12, Nizhoni 10, Ediah 6, Anlon 2, and Simeon 8 months.  The Thompsons have home-schooled their children for eight years.  Tonya serves as the primary teacher at home.  Jean-Noel serves as Vice President for Student Life and Dean of Students at Abilene Christian University.  The Thompsons are members at Southern Hills Church of Christ.

10:00 (Family Room) - Matthew Bullington "Homeschooling High-School:  Encouragement and advice from a homeschool graduate on what you can do each year to prepare for college and life after graduation."

Matthew Bullington is from Memphis Tennessee and is the son of Dr. Kimball and Mrs. Dinah Bullington, and is the oldest of six children. He was homeschooled through his high-school graduation, after which he attended Middle Tennessee State University on more than full scholarship (yes, he was actually paid to go to college!). In 2006 Matthew was awarded the "President's Award" by the university, the highest honor given to a student at MTSU. Matthew graduated Summa Cum Laude with Honors Distinction in December of 2006 with a degree in Economics and is the owner of Homeschool College Prep and University Ready.

Matthew's knowledge of the college application process comes from personal experience, as well as the experiences of two of his siblings who are both fully funded in their studies at the University of Memphis and Vanderbilt University. His father, Dr. Kimball Bullington, is a professor of at MTSU and has been advising incoming students for over 10 years. While attending school, Matthew advised numerous incoming students on the application process, gave tours and talks to visiting students and incoming freshman, and was singularly requested by the university on multiple occasions to be the host and tour-guide for prospective homeschool students. Matthew also was a university employee for three years as a tutor for Disable Student Services and the Athletic Department, and was the academic mentor for the men's basketball team in 2006.

10:00 (Classroom B) - Holly Morris "Healthy, Happy Kids-Nutrition on a budget"

Holly Morris is a daughter of the King, wife to her best friend, Ryan and proud mother of her sons Boston (8) and Boone (5).  She has a Master's Degree in Communication Sciences and Disorders from ACU and is a certified and licensed speech-language pathologist.  Holly has always had a passion for health and wellness and has taught group and individual fitness classes for 15 years.  She is a certified personal trainer, nutrition coach and group exercise instructor.  In 2007 Holly, along with her friend Stephanie Fletcher, created Ever FIT, a small business whose goal was to improve the health and wellness of families individually and in small groups through nutritional makeovers, exercise programs and spiritual encouragement.  Ever FIT, now serves hundreds of individuals and families.

11:00-2:00 Vendor Fair and Lunch

Lunch brought to us by Steak Express 11:00 - 1:00

Combo meal of a 1/3 lb. Cheeseburger, chips and 32 oz tea for $6.00

2:00 (Family Room) Matthew Bullington - Financing College:  Insider tips on how to reduce the cost of a college education, locate scholarships, and graduate without debt!

2:00 (classroom A) Tonya Thompson and Kay Orr - "So you think you want to home school??" Join us for a look at home education, getting started and teaching multiple grades.  This session is accompanied by an open question and answer time.  Roll up your sleeves and let's talk home school!

Chris and Kay Orr are Presidents of Big Country Home Educators and Kay currently serves as a founding and advisory board member for CORE, a regional homeschool support group in north central Texas and home schools 5 children ranging in age from 16 to 8.  Chris and Kay attend South Side Baptist Church.