IAHE Speakers
Tara Bentley
Executive Director
Tara is a veteran homeschool mom of two daughters. During 13 years of homeschooling, she and her husband Mark served in leadership for 12. Always juggling work, family, and multiple responsibilities, Tara loves encouraging moms who often feel like they just aren’t enough.
Homeschool Topics
The Goldilocks Test: Choosing a Curriculum That's Just Right
The best way to find out if something works is to try it. Yet, year after year many homeschoolers spend money on materials they know very little about. This workshop will present a method to help you locate and select the materials that will best fit you and your childrens needs.
Co-ops: Considering the Cost
Co-ops are very popular with today’s homeschool families. Co-ops range from small, parent-driven gatherings to cottage industries and mini-schools. What are the pros and cons of co-operative learning? What are the different options? What are the benefits for students and parents? And what does participation cost us?
Successful Transitions
Beginning their homeschool journey with their daughter’s 7th grade year, Tara understands the unique challenges that come from transferring a student out the public school system. The older the child, the more it feels like jumping into the deep end of the pool. We’ll share some common mistakes, the challenges of the middle years, and tips and tricks for getting a strong start.
13 Lessons From the End of the Road
After graduating their youngest daughter from high school, veteran homeschool mom Tara shares a mix of regrets and tips for new moms. We are not created to look alike or school our children in identical ways. But, we can still come together in moments of fellowship, celebrate our differences, and learn from each other along the way.
Homeschool 101
Are you a new homeschooler? Are you wondering where to begin? Is homeschooling just about education? Join us for a crash course covering information that you’ll need for the wonderful journey ahead!
Leadership Topics
THE PRICE IS RIGHT — THE COST OF LEADERSHIP
Volunteering to lead a homeschool group involves sacrifice…and lots of it! We’ll play a fun, interactive game and talk about a variety of ways we, as leaders, pay a high price to encourage others in the homeschool journey. But don’t lose heart! With great sacrifice comes great reward. You’ll be refreshed in knowing that the price you pay to serve is a worthwhile investment reaping eternal rewards.
THE BIGGEST LOSER – UNHEALTHY LEADERSHIP HABITS
Homeschooling your own kids and serving in support group leadership can be a recipe for unhealthy habits—neglecting your own well-being, putting the needs of the group over your husband and kids’ needs, or struggling to keep your own house in order. We’ll explore ways to tackle all of this successfully through healthy leadership habits. You can shed the weight of unhealthy habits that bog you down and thrive while serving others.
WIN, LOSE, OR DRAW – BUILDING STRONG CONNECTIONS
Leadership involves communicating and helping a wide variety of people to connect. Does your communication style help you to win, lose, or draw? In this session, Tara and Nancy will share ideas to help you be effective using the tools you have at your disposal to communicate well with your group members, volunteers, and leadership team. We’ll cover social media, email, newsletters, website, and in-person networking to build strong relationships.