Laura Bond

Specializing in:

• Behavior management strategies
• Dyslexia tutoring and support
• Focus and attention techniques for ADHD/autism

Bio:

Laura's diverse background includes public and private school teaching, highly qualified 4th-8th TX math instruction, special education case management, and behavior intervention. Her personal experience homeschooling and raising a child with special needs has enhanced her ability to provide practical, tested solutions for families facing similar challenges.

Areas of Expertise:

• Dyslexia instruction
• Behavior intervention
• ADHD management
• Autism spectrum support
• Virtual math instruction
• Focus strategies
• Special education planning

Stephanie Buckwalter

Specializing in:

• Students who don’t read, write, speak or do math
• Students who are stuck in perpetual elementary school
• Teaching nonverbal students
• Transition planning for being independent at home in adulthood

Bio:

Stephanie Buckwalter is a veteran homeschool mom of five children, including gifted, mild learning struggles and moderate special needs. Her family has done homeschool, private school and public school, including the IEP process. She is the creator of the ELARP™ Method, Spell As U Go™, and a co-host of Empowering Homeschool Conversations.

Areas of Expertise:

• Brain-Based Learning
• Nonverbal Homeschooling
• Breaking Learning Stagnation
• Severe Needs Adaptation
• At-Home Adulthood Planning

Sarah Collins, MSOT, OTR/L

Specializing in:

• Handwriting development and fine motor skills
• Executive function coaching for students and parents
• Creating sensory-friendly learning environments

Bio:

Sarah uniquely combines her occupational therapy expertise with practical homeschooling experience. Since 2016, she has been helping families create personalized learning environments that address both educational and developmental needs. Her background in pediatrics and home health brings a holistic approach to homeschooling support.

Areas of Expertise:

• Handwriting development
• Sensory processing
• Executive functioning skills
• Occupational therapy integration
• Learning environment optimization
• Task completion strategies

Dawn Jackson, M.Ed.

Specializing in:

• ADHD planning and coaching support
• Custom curriculum selection and planning
• Learning styles assessments
• Goal setting, scheduling help, and student specific accommodations & modifications

Bio:

A veteran homeschool mom and former special education teacher, Dawn combines 30 years of educational experience with specialized training in multi-sensory instruction. As director of Solimar Academy and Empowering Homeschool Conversations podcast co-host, she helps families create customized educational approaches that align with their values.

Areas of Expertise:

• Learning disabilities
• Autism education
• Learning styles assessment
• Curriculum selection
• Goal setting strategies

Dr. Rochelle Matthews-Somerville

Specializing in:

• Autism spectrum learning strategies
• ADHD academic planning and support
• Communication skills development

Bio:

With over 30 years in education and advanced degrees in Special Education, Dr. Rochelle leads EFM Educational Consultants while homeschooling her six children. Her experience spans university teaching, autism specialization, and educational consulting, making her a valuable resource for families navigating complex learning needs.

Areas of Expertise:

• Autism spectrum disorders
• ADHD management
• Executive functioning disorders
• Communication disorders
• Learning disabilities
• Inclusive education strategies

Leilani Melendez

Specializing in:

• Down syndrome education planning
• Faith-based curriculum adaptation
• Middle school emotional support and learning strategies

Bio:

A former classroom teacher and mother of four, Leilani has spent over 15 years supporting homeschoolers as an educational evaluator. Through her YouTube channel "Living With Eve" and her book "Freedom to Learn," and as an Empowering Homeschool Conversations co-host, she provides practical guidance for families at all stages of their homeschooling journey.

Areas of Expertise:

• Down syndrome education
• ADHD support
• Sensory processing
• Middle school depression
• Biblical worldview integration
• Educational evaluation

Debbye Parker

Specializing in:

• Early childhood developmental support
• Early intervention strategies
• Co-op and group learning coordination

Bio:

With a degree in early childhood education and extensive experience in developmental support, Debbye brings 15+ years of homeschooling expertise to her practice. Her personal experience homeschooling children with special needs, combined with her co-op teaching background, provides practical insights for families navigating similar paths.

Areas of Expertise:

• Early childhood education
• Developmental delays
• Early intervention
• Special needs education
• Co-op teaching strategies
• Multi-level instruction

Janice Peshek

Specializing in:

• Classical curriculum planning
• Multi-state homeschool compliance
• Elementary education foundations

Bio:

With 14 years of public school teaching and extensive homeschooling experience, Janice brings practical knowledge of curriculum planning and diverse learning approaches. Her work with Classical Conversations and experience across multiple homeschooling communities provides valuable insight into different educational methods.

Areas of Expertise:

• Classical education methods
• Early elementary instruction
• Curriculum planning
• Multi-state homeschool regulations
• Classical Conversations programs
• Transitional support

Cheri Kay Sessions, PT, DPT

Specializing in:

• Pediatric physical therapy for homeschool families
• Trauma-informed care and special needs advocacy
• Navigation of healthcare and educational support systems

Bio:

With 18+ years of experience as a pediatric physical therapist, special needs advocate, and homeschooling mom, Cheri Kay brings a unique perspective to supporting families with diverse needs. Her professional background includes degrees from Michigan State University, the University of Rhode Island, and a Doctor of Physical Therapy with a pediatric emphasis. As an adoptive mother of four children with unique needs, she combines professional expertise with personal experience in supporting complex family dynamics.

Areas of Expertise:

• Pediatric physical therapy integration
• Special needs advocacy
• Trauma-informed educational support
• Healthcare system navigation
• American Sign Language communication
• Adaptive learning strategies
• Multi-system support for families

Shelley Whisenant

Specializing in:

• Reading and math intervention for dyslexia/dyscalculia
• Learning strategies for twice-exceptional students
• Spanish language instruction for struggling learners

Bio:

A former Spanish instructor turned homeschool advocate, Shelley brings 29 years of educational experience to her practice. Having successfully graduated three of her five children, she combines traditional teaching expertise with specialized intervention training. Her approach focuses on adapting teaching methods to meet diverse learning needs while maintaining academic excellence.

Areas of Expertise:

• Orton-Gillingham reading intervention
• Math intervention strategies
• Dyslexia and dyscalculia support
• ADHD and autism spectrum support
• Foreign language instruction
• Advanced learner adaptation