The annual Alaska Statewide Homeschool Convention is slated for April 12-13 in Anchorage. Hosted by Alaska Private and Home Educators Association (APHEA), the event is the gathering of completely independent Alaskan homeschoolers – families that choose to forgo all state-funded allotments in order to maximize their parental rights and educational freedoms from government intrusion.
APHEA is a non-profit coalition of parents and families who work to further educational excellence through alternatives to state-operated public schools – including public homeschool programs. Since 1986, the group has actively resisted any attempt by the government to infringe on the freedom to exercise parental rights in education.
This year’s event takes place in Anchorage at Muldoon Community Assembly (7041 Debarr). It includes a lineup of national presenters and local speakers who will give workshops related to myriad aspects of homeschooling. A silent auction is also part of the gathering.
Tailored for the entire family, the gathering includes events for all ages, including special workshops for children, a nursery/play area for younger kids and a room for nursing moms. Childcare is not provided, and parents are responsible for their children at all times, but childcare helpers are welcome to attend as part of a family’s overall registration, which is $75.
“We are thrilled to present a dynamic lineup of speakers, workshops, and vendors this year,” an announcement for the convention states. “Whether you’re considering homeschooling or you’re a long-time veteran, come join us for a great time!”
The headline speaker is Rick Green a former Texas state representative, national speaker, author, and radio host. He and his family travel the nation bringing America’s forgotten history and heroes to life in fun and entertaining ways, with an emphasis on America’s moral and constitutional heritage.
Green founded Patriot Academy, an elite program that has a mission to “equip and educate a generation of citizen leaders to champion the cause of freedom and truth in every sector of society, as we help restore our Constitutional Republic and the Biblical principles that cause a Nation to thrive.”
Renton Rathbun, director of the Center for Biblical Worldview at Bob Jones University, will also speak during the conference. According to his profile at BJU, he is “committed to developing a biblical worldview in faculty, staff, and students which begins in the heart, is refined by the mind, and leads to service for others.”
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Rounding out the keynoters is Hanna Sims, who’s NETworkers TEC ministry seeks to provide Christians with a network of resources to assist with Biblical ministries to the next generation.
“What makes my ministry different is that instead of focusing on promoting one ministry, I connect believers with various resources for various ministry needs,” Sims said on her website.
There will also be a vendor hall featuring a wide variety of businesses and organizations, both local and national. These entities will provide vendor workshops, educational demonstrations, and special events to inspire and equip Alaska homeschool families.
“Come learn about curriculums, teaching tools, youth organizations, and even camps and colleges,” the event notice states.
All pastors, widows, widowers and grandparents can attend the convention for free and there are limited sponsorships for families in financial need.
For more information, email convention@aphea.org or visit the group’s website.
12 Comments
Why can ASD take input from the way these people teach? These folks get way less money from the state and they produce a way higher education than what comes from ASD public schools. Dr Barnett, you keep begging money that’s not needed. You sir just need to cut the fat at top and give teachers a fair chance to teach
All your LGBTQ+ and WOKE CRAP isn’t needed in schools. Reading, Writing, and Arithmetic are the basics needed for life. That’s what ASD schools need to teach their children.
Part of the argument against charter and private schools is the Christian component. Yet this conference boasts of its religiosity
Part of the argument against public schools is the Secular Religion component. Yet they boast of their religiosity constantly.
Besides, this article is about homeschool, not charter or private schools.
Part of the argument against government schools is that they teach compliance and little else. Often failing at that. To say nothing for skills such as reading, writing and arithmetic. They are also factories were children can be exploited for federal dollars for teachers unions and groomed by sexually members of that union. Government schools area poison to our society. They all should be closed as the toxic waste dumps that they are.
The main wedge is the godless hatred of those who lead moral lives and with any enemy of good must be removed…..it will be done..kickthe dog one too many times with insanity that dog will rise… The godless communist NEA has done kicked itself into a bite.
A person can have no god and also be more ethical and moral than a Christian. Take me, an atheist, for example. I’ve always GIVEN more than I’ve TAKEN. Trump’s a Christian.
Yet Lucinda your arrogance denies you were created… a mystery wrapped in an enigma on how much energy it takes to deny
the absolute fantastic creativity to make a walking taking computer out of mud and GOD breathed life….But fear not I feel your inner selfs curiosity seeking answers by you just hanging out with us, And for that the seed of knowledge forces its germination of our CREATOR that you cannot deny…
There aint but one way out Baby…. I JUST CANT GO OUT THAT DOOR…. But you are drawn….As your hand reaches to open it….WELCOME SISTER…
The conference is a great event. We went annually all the years we were homeschooling and I always looked forward to it, finding it fun and educational. The conference/fair is actually open to everyone even families who have their kids in a brick and mortar classroom. There is just amazing support for families as they support their kids education. Certainly the focus is home education, especially for families that are educating at home, but anyone who wants to explore home educating or supplementing their kids education could also benefit. The APHEA website should have a schedule of workshops and topics to check out ahead of time at APHEA.org .
I hope this years event is a great success for all.
I’ve pulled my kids and put them in an all Muslim online program. Allah truly is great !
Describing parents as “fiercely independent” indicates an active fight to keep others from attacking or interfering with their children. What an interesting situation to find ourselves in: the most basic unit of society is not just a building block, but a battleground.
Shore up your defenses, ready your arms, and fight to keep God’s standard flying steadfastly over your hearths and homes!
Be sure to leave your cell at home and wear a facemask Feds will be all over that.
Trust me, Alaska has everything to offer that the lower 48 does. No saying dont go, just saying becarful.