“If you are looking for a speaker who is passionate and relatable, look no further. Cheryl’s absolute passion to inspire and equip parents shines through every workshop. Your attendees will be inspired by her dedication to her family and her devotion to helping other families succeed.”
“Your talks were by the far the most influential moments of my time at the convention. I am so grateful for your wise and practical guidance. Also, when I went to your booth, your daughter was so mature and kind. I saw the fruit of the kind of parenting you modeled for us!”
“I have attended this conference for 14 years. This is one of the most inspirational workshops I have ever heard. Thank you! ”
“Thank you for the time and wisdom you shared with us last night! I feel a renewed sense of purpose. Blessings to you and your wonderful family! ”
Cheryl is a popular speaker eager to empower attendees.
Her previous events include
Building Strong Families Conference - Keynote
Featured Speaker at
Northeast Georgia Education Conference
Florida Parent-Educators Association (FPEA)
Annual Convention (multiple years)
Florida Parent-Educators Association (FPEA)
STEM Conference
Keep Calm and Homeschool On - Online Conference
Florida Home Education Summit
HERI Convention (multiple years)
Books and Beyond Conference (multiple years)
Finish Well Conference (multiple years)
Cheryl and Mike are popular speakers who enthusiastically share what they have learned from the triumphs and trials of over thirty-two years of parenting, twenty-nine of those years homeschooling, and Mike's thirty-four years of middle school classroom experience. They speak at a variety of events and are known for their transparent, empowering, and personable presentations.
Cheryl and Mike are available to speak about the triumphs and trials of all seasons of education—
from preschool to high school graduation.
Additional topics available upon request.
Homeschooling: A Marathon Mindset
Marathon runners know they have many miles ahead of them; however, knowing the finish line is ahead they continue to run the race well, putting every ounce of effort forward. Homeschooling can feel like a marathon, with curriculum cramps, time crunches, and unanticipated milestone challenges. Join Cheryl Bastian, homeschooling marathon runner for over thirty years—nineteen of those cheering on high schoolers as they cross the graduation finish line—as she shares from her experiences of balancing schedules, considering the needs of multiple children, working through challenges, and preparing for what lies ahead. The homeschooling race looks different for every family, and it can be run well.
Cheryl presents this 50-minute conference session or 1-hour workshop.
Portfolios Made EASY
Compiling a portfolio of work samples doesn’t have to be stressful or time consuming. Instead, it can be a rewarding culmination to the year, a means of empowerment and accomplishment. Cheryl Bastian, homeschooling mom of twenty-nine years and five graduates, provides helpful tips and walks attendees through practical ways to tame the worries of managing recordkeeping and putting together a portfolio—regardless of home education philosophy and methods—so family members focus can be on life-long, memorable education.
Cheryl presents this 50-minute conference session or 1-hour workshop.
Creating Work Spaces and Tinker Places
Are you interested in creating spaces and places children want to visit, areas which foster purposeful, independent discovery and exploration? In this workshop, Cheryl Bastian shares practical suggestions, organizational helps, and supply list recommendations from over thirty years of working with children, preschool through high school. Designing art and science tables, reading nooks, porch tinker corners, and interest circles are easier than you may think. If you are skeptical, join Cheryl in this engaging session.
Cheryl presents this 50-minute conference session or 1-hour workshop.
Picture Books, Paper, and Paint Brushes
A picture book is a treasure of literary wonder and artistic goodness. Though children are often captivated by a storyline, illustrations invite children to turn pages and inspire them to experiment with and appreciate art techniques. Cheryl Bastian brings over thirty years of teaching children to this workshop and walks parents through the process of choosing picture books to engage a child's creativity and sense of wonder through the works of notable illustrators and their work. With each example, Cheryl provides ready-to-use, picture-book inspired art ideas and techniques the whole family can enjoy. An extensive book list will accompany the workshop and provide attendees with a tangible take-away.
Cheryl presents this 50-minute conference session or 1-hour workshop with question and answer opportunity. Content extends into the elementary years. Popular topic!
Science Little Learners Love
(One of Cheryl's most frequently requested workshops--and a personal favorite!)
Magnets. Animals. Water. Science is innate for little learners. In this workshop, Cheryl Bastian offers practical, inexpensive, ready-to-use learning activities. You will walk away from this session with a renewed understanding of how and why to foster your child’s sense of discovery and wonder, naturally. Active, curious learners between ages three and eight? This workshop is for you!
Cheryl presents this 50-minute conference session or 1-hour workshop with question and answer opportunity suitable for families with children ages three to eight. Popular topic!
Celebrate High School: Finish with Excellence
(One of Cheryl's most frequently requested workshops)
Whether fresh out of the blocks on the first leg of the high school adventure or heading toward the finish line, high school is a time to be celebrated. Cheryl will answer common questions asked by students and parents as they work together toward turning the tassel. Topics include planning ahead, understanding graduation requirements, building credits, grading assignments, calculating grade point averages, preparing transcripts and supporting documents, tailoring education to learning style and career choice, college admission testing, and submitting college applications.
Cheryl presents this information in a 1/2- to full-day seminar format with question and answer opportunities throughout
Cheryl also offers this workshop as a condensed 50-minute conference session or 1-hour workshop with question and answer opportunity
How to Have the Best High School Years, Ever!
The precious gems of home education—relationships, experiential opportunities, and a love for learning—can quickly crumble under the weight of GPAs, transcripts, and college admissions. In this workshop, Cheryl Bastian encourages parents to reconsider what really matters in middle and high school so that their families can have the best high school years, ever. YOU can celebrate high school!
Cheryl presents this 50-minute conference workshop
Maximizing the Potential of High School Electives
(One of Mike and Cheryl's most frequently requested workshops)
Photography. Equine health. Nutrition. Landscaping. The unique interests and giftings of each learner are distinctive qualities that can be used to maximize learning in academic courses as well as electives. In this session, Cheryl offers suggestions and give parents tools they can use to discover and grow these interests and abilities to impact future career paths.
Cheryl, or Mike and Cheryl together, present this 50-minute conference session or 1-hour workshop with question and answer opportunity
Dads are particularly interested in this session because of Mike's experience as a homeschool Dad and public school educator.
Mike and Cheryl have thirty-four years of parenting experience and are able to address and speak to parents at all stages of parenthood--cradle to shingle. In addition to homeschooling their own children for thirty years, Mike is a thirty-four year veteran middle school educator. These experiences give Mike and Cheryl a solid base from which to appreciate a parent's right to choose the educational methods which are right for their family and children.