Phoenix Convention Center South Building
33 South Third Street, Phoenix 85004

new to homeschool
homeschooling w/special needs
learning assessments
event details
convention discount

FREE Mini-Conference for New Homeschoolers

If you are new to homeschooling or thinking about homeschooling, you are invited to join us for a FREE mini-conference the day before the AFHE Convention. Our team will present informative and inspiring sessions designed specifically for those who are considering educating their children at home or are just getting started.
  • Stepping Outside the School "Box" (Heather Haupt) - Learning to embrace a natural, holistic way of education can make homeschooling doable and successful academically, spiritually, and socially for both the students and the parents. It’s important to let go of our pre-conceived notions of what “school” should look like and instead major on the strengths of homeschooling: flexibility, real life learning, real books (living books), dialogue rather than formal tests, etc. Discover how to emphasize the benefits of homeschooling and avoid simply replicating a traditional school in your home. 
  • How to Homeschool: Practical Steps for Getting Started (Pam Spinker) - This workshop is designed to answer the questions most moms have when considering and beginning their homeschool journey. Questions like, “How do I choose curriculum?”, “How do I schedule my day?”, “How do I school with littles?”, and more are answered in this interactive workshop. Participants will be writing down and working through their thoughts and ideas as each question is answered in a practical, implementable manner.
  • Homeschooling: Real Hard and Real Blessings (Colene Lewis) - This talk provides honest encouragement to those considering homeschooling. The real hard part of home education is the commitment of time, energy and resources. The real blessings of home education include stronger family bonds and a personalized education. And these blessings will make the work worth it.
  • AFHE Team - We will make sure you get the nuts-and-bolts information you need to begin homeschooling in Arizona. Learn about the legal definition of a homeschool, legal requirements, connecting with other homeschoolers, getting the resources you need, and other essentials.
Tell your friends who are considering making the switch to homeschooling!
Thursday, July 13, 2023
9:30 AM - 12:30 PM
FREE! No advance registration required.

YOU CAN HOMESCHOOL! is supported by these sponsors

AFHE is grateful for the opportunity to present this FREE mini-conference due to the support of wonderful partners like these. These organizations understand homeschooling and want to help you get off to a great start! Please join us in thanking . . .

Seminar Addressing Special Needs Homeschooling

AFHE presents a three-hour seminar focused on assisting parents who are at the beginning of the special needs homeschool journey. You will hear from AFHE Convention speakers who have homeschooled their own children with special needs, who can shed light on the realities and great potential of this journey! You will also meet and hear from a panel of local parents who are homeschooling special needs learners.
MEET OUR SPEAKERS!
Dr. Jan Bedell- Dr. Jan Bedell began a journey in 1992 that transitioned her from desperate homeschool mom of a struggling learner into a Master NeuroDevelopmentalist. With new knowledge of optimizing brain function, coupled with previous experience as a public, private, and homeschool teacher, she realized there was more to education than just technique and curriculum. Jan found hope and help for her daughter through The NeuroDevelopmental Approach that ensures the brain is ready for learning. This approach has been life-changing for all those who have applied her brain building principles, making life and learning easier for thousands across the US and beyond.
Darcy Day - Darcy Day is a Spelling to Communicate practitioner and mom to Brady, age 20, who has Down syndrome and speech apraxia. She always knew he understood way more than he showed but just didn’t know how to access it. Spelling to Communicate has allowed her son to convey his thoughts,  ideas, dreams, and hopes. Together they are paving the way for the Down syndrome Spellers Community. Darcy runs a practice out of Phoenix, Arizona, and has witnessed many spellers with Ds who are showing full competence. She finds such joy in seeing parents hear their child’s voice for the first time.
Bring a friend, spouse, relative, or support person to learn along with you!
Thursday, July 13, 2023
2:00-5:00 PM
FREE! No advance registration required.

LEARNING ASSESSMENTS WITH DR. JAN BEDELL & STAFF

In partnership with our guest speaker Dr. Jan Bedell, AFHE has arranged to provide professional LEARNING ASSESSMENTS onsite on Thursday, July 13!

Watch this space for details on scheduling your child's appointment, pricing, and contents of the assessment.

↓ click through the slides below for important event info ↓

CONVENTION ADMISSION NOT INCLUDED

Attendance at these pre-convention events does not include admission to the AFHE Convention Friday, July 14 and Saturday, July 15, 2023. On-site registration for the Convention will be open Thursday from 1:00-5:30 PM for those who wish to register while you're at the Phoenix Convention Center.

When you pre-register for the Convention on Thursday you can pick up your convention name badges, welcome bag (one per family), and convention program—and skip the check-in lines Friday morning!

FIRST-TIME CONVENTION ATTENDEES may be eligible for a discount on admission. Read the details at our Registration page.

CHILDREN

These mini-conferences are geared for training and equipping adults and take place during exhibitor set-up for the AFHE Homeschool Convention. For your child's safety and to allow you to gain the full benefit of these mini-conference sessions, we encourage you to make childcare arrangements, if possible.

Childcare is not provided. Nursing infants are always welcome.

If you bring your child to the Convention Center, he or she must remain with you at all times. As a courtesy to other attendees, we ask that you step out of the workshop room if your child becomes noisy or a distraction to those around you.

EXHIBIT HALL NOT OPEN THURSDAY

The Thursday programming takes place during exhibitor move-in, so the exhibit hall will not be open for shopping on Thursday.
 
Convention registration is required for exhibit hall entry on Friday and Saturday.

Exhibit Hall hours for registered Convention attendees:
Friday 10:00AM-6:30PM, Saturday 10:00AM-6:00PM

RECORDINGS

Recordings of the Thursday mini-conferences will be available for purchase. Take advantage of the on-site purchase price on Thursday or during the Convention, or visit the Resounding Voice website following the Convention at store.resoundingvoice.com.

PARKING INFORMATION

Parking is plentiful near the Phoenix Convention Center. Parking downtown costs approximately $15 per day.

Visit dtphx.org for an interactive map with parking, restaurants, and road construction updates.

Parking garages closest to the South Building of the Phoenix Convention Center:
JEFFERSON STREET GARAGE | 333 E Jefferson Street, Phoenix
EAST GARAGE | 602 E Washington St, Phoenix


Want to attend the full two-day AFHE Convention? 
How does a $35 discount sound?

AFHE would like to welcome first-time convention attendees with a $35 discount for adult admission. Adult admission includes free spouse admission for married couples.

Adults who have never before attended the AFHE Convention are eligible to request a coupon code. Current AFHE membership is required to receive this special offer.

Visit our Registration page to learn more and access the request form.
(Form available beginning March 28).