Teaching Parents Association - Meeting the Needs of Home Schooling Families
Exhibitor Hall
Every year we have some great vendors at convention! Check out the following list of exhibitors who have reserved space at the 2008 TPA Convention.
Attention vendors: If you would like information on becoming a vendor at our convention its not too late, please contact the vendor coordinator at for all the information.
VENDOR HALL IS NOW FULL. IF YOU WOULD LIKE INFORMATION ON 2009, PLEASE CONTACT THE VENDOR COORDINATOR
If you are an exhibitor or have other materials available that might be of interest to our convention attendees and would like to place information about them in the bags that each of our attendees receive, please contact Great Stuff Convention Bags.
Adventures In Character
“Coming together to support parents in instilling the principles of God’s Word in the lives of the next generation.”
Welcome to the exciting world of Adventures In Character, affectionately referred to as AIC! AIC is a children’s program that runs concurrently with the Teaching Parents Association Convention each year, enabling families to enjoy the benefits of attending the weekend convention together. Our goal at AIC is to come alongside parents in equipping their children to be successful. Students are encouraged and challenged to build their lives upon the unchanging Truth of God’s Word, learning how to apply it to their daily circumstances.
AIC is organized into assemblies and small group sessions. Assemblies include an ongoing drama based on the theme for the weekend, songs, Scripture memory and a few fun surprises along the way. Object lessons, hands-on projects and games--designed to reinforce the Biblical principles being introduced in the drama--are included in the small group sessions. These sessions are led by exemplary homeschool students and graduates who receive training from the AIC staff. A presentation by the students for their parents is held at the opening of the final keynote session on Saturday.
Visit the Adventures In Character website for more information.
2008 TPA Convention Speakers
Dr. Jay Wile will be the keynote speaker for the 2008 TPA Convention. Many homeschoolers have used Dr. Wile’s science curriculum ‘Apologia Science’. Jay Wile learned about his love for chemistry when his dedicated parents bought him his first chemistry set. Many stink bombs and a few explosions later, he was hooked! Although he loved chemistry, he also had many other interests. For a while, he thought about becoming a concert pianist, but unfortunately, his fingers were not long enough (no kidding!). As he was finishing up his high school years, he became extremely interested in the theater and began to pursue a career in acting. Partly because he learned the science behind some of the special effects of the plays in which he performed, he eventually went back to his first love: chemistry.
He went to the University of Rochester in upstate New York to study chemistry, and while he was there, he began working on nuclear chemistry experiments. He became so fascinated with nuclear chemistry that he stayed at the University of Rochester and got a Ph.D. in that field. For several years, he did research in the field under the auspices of the Department of Energy and the National Science Foundation. This research led to several grants and many publications. While doing research, Dr. Wile was also an assistant professor of chemistry.
Dr. Wile’s love of science is demonstrated by the many awards he has won for excellence in teaching and research. He has also presented numerous lectures on the topics of Nuclear Chemistry, Christian Apologetics, Homeschooling, and Creation vs. Evolution. He has published more than 30 articles on these subjects in nationally-recognized, peer-reviewed journals, and has 9 books to his credit.
Dr. Wile’s teaching credits include The University of Rochester, Indiana University, Ball State University, and The Indiana Academy for Science, Mathematics and Humanities, a high school for gifted and talented students. He currently spends his full-time efforts creating innovative science curriculum and speaking as a homeschool advocate throughout the US and other countries. Please see more about Dr. Wile at his website: Apologia Science
Please come and hear Dr. Wile speak at the keynote session Friday 7:00 p.m. - Homeschooling: The Solution to our Education Problem
and the Saturday keynote at 1:30 p.m - Reasonable Faith: The Scientific Case for Christianity
Dr. Wile will also be speaking at workshops throughout Friday and Saturday. His workshop topics will be: “Teaching Criticial Thinking”,
“Why Homeschool Through High School”, “What about K-6 Science”
Out 2nd keynote speaker is Ginger Plowman. She is the founder of Preparing the Way Ministries, is the author of “Don’t Make Me Count to Three!”, “Wise Words for Moms” and “Heaven at Home”. Moms, do you need some encouragement? Maybe you need some tips to keep the peace in your home on those long homeschool days when it feels like you are not getting anything accomplished. Ginger Plowman has some practical and Biblical words of wisdom for moms who want to make the most of the homeschooling experience for their children, and keep the peace along the way!
She is a contributing author of several books, including God Allows U-Turns, Rest Stops for Busy Moms and The Groovy Chicks Road Trip to Peace.
Ginger is an award-winning writer whose articles have appeared in numerous publications, such as Focus on the Family, Baptist Press, HomeLife Magazine, P31 Woman, and Crosswalk.com.
An enthusiastic and compelling communicator, Ginger is frequently interviewed on television shows, such as The 700 Club, The Harvest Show and Primary Focus, as well as national radio programs, including Family Life Today with Dennis Rainey, Revive Our Hearts with Nancy Leigh DeMoss and Focus on the Family Weekend Magazine. As a nationally known speaker, Ginger ministers at women’s events, parenting conferences and home school conventions across the country.
Ginger and her husband Jim live in Opelika, Alabama, where she home schools their two children, Wesley and Alex. You can learn more about Ginger at her website: gingerplowman.com
Please come hear Ginger speak Friday at 1:30 p.m. on “Heaven at Home”. She will also be speaking at workshops throughout Friday and Saturday. Her workshop topics include: “Reaching the Heart of Your Child” and “Taming the Tongue”.
VOLUNTEERS NEEDED!! - THANK YOU FOR YOUR RESPONSE!
Thank you to everyone who responded to our need for volunteers for hosts and hostesses for the convention!! We have filled all the positions, and we appreciate all those who volunteered their time to help us make our convention a success for everyone attending!
Again this year TPA is looking for poised, well-mannered, responsible young people willing to serve as hosts and hostesses. Those who volunteer will be assigned tasks such as supervising workshop rooms and introducing workshop presenters; assisting keynote speakers; monitoring access to AIC, Exhibitor Hall, and workshop rooms; and running errands. The TPA Homeschool Convention is regarded as one of the premier events of its kind in the Midwest, and one of the reasons for that reputation is the Godly character exhibited by the outstanding young people who serve as hosts and hostesses.
If you would like to serve as a host or hostess, please click here
CONVENTION WORKSHOP SCHEDULE!
Check out this link to view the schedule for the workshops. We are very excited about the workshops and the great speakers we have planned!
convention_schedule_2008.pdf
NEW HOMESCHOOLERS WORKSHOP
Are you new to homeschooling or do you know someone who is?
TPA is holding a workshop for new homeschoolers. You will get lots of great advice about homeschooling and navigating the convention, and some free stuff, too! Click here for all the information. Invitation_for_First-Time_convention_att.pdf
2008 Registration Info
You may register for the 2008 Convention online or at the door (“onsite”). Please note: when you register for the convention on-line, you will be setting up a user account for the TPA website. This will allow you to login at any time and view your order history or place additional orders. Additional benefits for those with user accounts may be added in the future.
Click here to view our brochure which can be printed and mailed: 2008_TPA_Brochure.pdf
Quick Links.
Latest News
2008 TPA CONVENTION MAY 30-31!
MISSION: POSSIBLE!!
2008 Registration Info
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TPA USED BOOK SALE-TABLES SOLD OUT!
Check out the new date and location for the used book sale!
SCIENCE & COMPUTER LABORATORY CAMP
Laboratory Camp for 2008 graduating 8 graders through graduating high school seniors
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