About SPED Homeschool & Homeschool Heroes
Empowering Families, Enabling Succes
Our Story
SPED Homeschool was founded with a singular mission: to empower families who homeschool children with diverse learning needs. Peggy Ployhar, SPED Homeschool Founder & CEO, launched SPED Homeschool with the vision of creating an organization that unites the special education homeschooling community to provide parents a consistent and trustworthy base of support, encouragement and resources. Over the years SPED Homeschool has grown and now empowers the work behind Homeschool Heroes, Empowering Homeschool Conversations, EmpoweredHomeschool.com and other initiatives that empower homeschooling families of diverse learners.
Meet the Founder/CEO
Peggy Ployhar, SPED Homeschool Founder & CEO, is a dynamic leader and a popular speaker known for addressing a wide variety of topics she learned throughout her homeschooling journey. A physicist by training, Peggy left a successful career in the medical device industry to focus on teaching her struggling learners at home. This personal experience ignited a passion that led to the founding of SPED Homeschool in 2017.
As a cancer survivor, influencer, and business owner, Peggy brings a unique perspective to her work. Under her leadership, SPED Homeschool has grown into a global organization that empowers thousands of families each year to create specialized home education environments for their children with unique learning needs.
Peggy’s extensive experience in the homeschooling community is further highlighted by her past roles, including serving as the Texas Home School Coalition Special Needs Team Lead, the Minnesota Association of Christian Home Educators Special Needs Coordinator, and the Mothers of Preschoolers Area Coordinator for MN, ND, and SD.
Peggy is also the primary host of Empowering Homeschool Conversations, a popular live broadcast and podcast tackling pertinent topics concerning homeschooling diverse learners, the proprietor of Eternal Aerial Arts, and an aerial arts instructor and performer.
Alongside her husband Doug, she resides in League City, TX, having successfully homeschooled all three of their children for 19 years until their graduation.
Have Peggy speak and/or perform at your next event
Board of Directors
Our board is composed of experienced educators, parents, and community leaders who share a deep commitment to homeschooling and special education. Each board member brings invaluable insights and expertise, ensuring Homeschool Heroes continues to pioneer new approaches to support families with unique learners.
Board Chair
Dr. Jan Bedell
Jan Bedell, PhD, Master Neuro-developmentalist is a seasoned special education homeschool mom and President of Brain Sprints (formally Little Giant Steps), a neuro-deveopmental curriculum, consulting and support company.
Vice Chair
Steve Demme
Steve has served in full or part time pastoral ministry for many years after graduating from Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary. He is the creator of Math-U-See and the founder of Building Faith Families.
Treasurer
Shari McMinn
Shari Howard McMinn is a mother to 11 children through marriage, birth, and adoption.
An advocate for adoption, homeschooling, nurtured childhoods, and a thriving life with unique learners, she enjoys mentoring parents and serving others in her church and community circles.
Secretary
Sonya Shafer
Sonya Shafer has been homeschooling her special needs daughter for 20 years and is co-founder of Simply Charlotte Mason.
Our Beliefs
At SPED Homeschool & Homeschool Heroes, we believe every child can thrive with individualized instruction, and homeschooling is one of the best ways to provide this type of education for unique learners. We are pioneers in special education homeschooling, leveraging our extensive experience and real-life insights to empower other parents.
Pioneers in Our Field
The team and board at SPED Homeschool are true pioneers in special education homeschooling. Each of us has navigated the challenges of teaching our own unique learners at home. By utilizing a variety of resources, support systems, and training opportunities, our children have flourished in the customized environments we've created.
Beyond Our Walls
Our commitment extends beyond our homes into the broader special education community. We leverage our diverse experiences, training, talents, and passion for home education to empower other parents to homeschool their unique children effectively.
Group Consulting
Collaborate with other homeschoolers, receive expert advice, and find tailored solutions to support your child's unique educational needs
Secure Circles
Create your own private, secure group where you can connect with other parents, share experiences, and collaborate
Empowering Events
Events to equip and inspire you with the tools, strategies, and confidence to effectively educate and support your diverse learner
Expert Resources
Resources curated by trusted experts with decades of experience, offering invaluable homeschooling insights and guidance
Looking Ahead
Our goal is to make homeschooling more accessible for children with learning challenges by providing high-quality resources, support, and training options. We envision a future where homeschooling is an even more viable option for these children than it is today.
Leading the Way to Success
We firmly believe that every child can succeed. We've witnessed this success in our own homes, and we're dedicated to helping you discover how to help your child succeed as well.
Our Major Donors
The success of SPED Homeschool is made possible through the generous support of our major donors. These individuals and organizations share our vision of empowering families to provide tailored education for their unique learners. Their contributions enable us to offer high-quality resources, support, and training to parents worldwide.
We extend our deepest gratitude to our major donors for their unwavering commitment to our mission. Their generosity has a profound impact on the lives of countless children and families, helping to make homeschooling a more accessible and viable option for those with learning challenges.
Rainbow Resource
Steve Demme
Notgrass History
BJU Press
Sonya Shafer
Minnesota Association of Christian Home Educators (MACHE)
Eternal Aerial Arts
Become a Donor
TRUSTED BY
Great Homeschool Conventions
Homeschool Legal Defense Association
The Salem Media Group
The Herzog Foundation
Recommended By
Links to Websites that Recommend Us
Excited to Be Featured in Our "Recommended By" Section? We'd love to include you!
Simply...
- add a listing on your website that links to the SPED Homeschool website, then
- email us with the page where you've shared our link along with your logo
We’ll proudly feature you in our “Recommended By” section and provide a coupon code for your community to enjoy one month of free membership on our site.
Thank you for helping us build a supportive community for families home educating children with unique learning profiles.
