Workshop Topics and Speaker Bios

Whereas the conference speakers offer insight into the why’s of classical education, the workshops are designed to address the how’s of classical education. Each workshop offers practical ways to begin classical education. Whether you are an experienced classical educator looking for new tips or a first year homeschooling parent, the workshops are created to support you as you educate.

All of our workshop leaders model the habit of life-long learning by earning various degrees and certificates in adulthood while managing busy family life and homeschooling schedules.

Choose to attend two of our four fabulous workshops.

1. Teaching Mentally Healthy Habits

This workshop focuses on leading children to be emotionally healthy by understanding the nature of emotions and demonstrating how to help children express and manage emotions in helpful ways. Additionally, participants are guided through ways of teaching children emotional resilience, coping strategies, and self-care.

Jeff Machgan is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist in the Roseville area working with couples and adolescents.  He is also on the leadership team at Soul Care at Bridgeway Christian church where he supervises and coaches pre-licensed therapists.  He has a Master of Arts in Counseling Psychology from William Jessup University and a Master of Divinity from Gateway Seminary (previously named Golden Gate Baptist Theological Seminary). Before being a therapist, he was a youth pastor and church planter with over 20 years in ministry with the church. He describes himself as a husband, father, friend to many, and a follower of Jesus. He loves people, learning new things, board games, skiing and the San Francisco Giants.

2. The Habit of Mimetic Teaching

Mimetic teaching is a commonly used phrase within the classical education platform. What is it? How does mimetic teaching help the teacher and student build healthy habits? In this workshop, we will explore mimetic teaching, a practice rooted in the Classical Tradition and centered around attention and imitation, to see what it has to offer a busy teacher and an often distracted student. 

Amber Vanderpol lives outside of Nevada City, on 10 acres of pines, oaks, and manzanita in a home that she and her husband largely built themselves. Two of her seven children have graduated from their homeschool, but with a toddler, she’s likely only at the halfway mark in her time as a home educator. She’s in her 18th year of homeschooling, largely using Mason’s practices. She has been studying Charlotte Mason’s Philosophy of Education and Classical Education for over 20 years. To further her growth as an educator, she joined the CiRCE Apprenticeship in 2021 and graduated in 2024. She is also the co-founder of CM NorCal (www.cmnorcal.com), an organization dedicated to creating regional events in Northern California for educators looking to grow their understanding of Charlotte Mason‘s principles and practices.

3. The Model of Life-Long Learning Through Latin

“I can’t teach Latin. I don’t know it. It’s too hard.” Have you ever approached Latin, or any other subject, with an attitude of “can’t.” Have you considered the limiting factor of the habit of “can’t”? Not only will participants receive basic instruction on learning and teaching Latin, this workshop also focuses on the habit of “let’s learn together” to model life-long learning.

Elvie Francisco successfully homeschooled for 20 years. She began her journey in 2011 with Classical Conversations and Stoa Speech and Debate. Over the years, she has served in various leadership roles, including Classical Conversations Support Representative and Director, and has been Co-Leader/Coach for Elevate Speech and Debate, a local club, since 2019. She graduated her youngest child in 2022, but has remained actively involved in the homeschool community. She has modeled life-long learning by earning her Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration in December 2024. She gives all praise to God for His abundant blessings.

4. The Habit of Engaged and Critical Reading

Although many people have been taught how to read, most are not taught how to become an active reader who engages in conversation with the author. This workshop addresses skills necessary to develop healthy reading habits which will allow the reader to develop a deeper appreciation of the author’s work, how to evaluate what the author says, and how to critically process the contents.

Scott Postma, PhD: Please review Speaker Bio.