About SPED Homeschool
Empowering Families, Enabling Succes
Our Story
SPED Homeschool was founded in 2017 with a singular mission: to empower families who homeschool children with diverse learning needs. Peggy Ployhar 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.
In July of 2025, the management of SPED Homeschool was transferred to the National Alliance of Christian Home Education Leadership (ACHEL).
ACHEL has been a trusted partner behind the scenes and shares our vision for equipping families to home educate unique learners with faith, grace, and purpose. They will now carry this torch forward, and I believe this is exactly what God has been preparing us for.
- Peggy Ployhar
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.
Meet the Founder
Peggy Ployhar 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 grew into a global organization that empowers thousands of families each year to create specialized home education environments for their children with unique learning needs.
SPED Homeschool is grateful for the dedication of our former board members who helped to shape the ministry since its foundation.
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.
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.
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.
Sonya Shafer
Sonya Shafer has been homeschooling her special needs daughter for 20 years and is co-founder of Simply Charlotte Mason.
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.
TRUSTED BY
Homeschool Freedom
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.
