Intro to Unschooling Mini-Con

PLEASE NOTE UPDATED TIME AND LOCATION!

Join us for a day of learning about unschooling. You've heard what people in the media think of it; now come and hear from some parents who are actually doing it. We'll talk about why we're unschooling, what unschooling looks like from an academic viewpoint, and what unschooling looks like when you extend the philosophy to parenting and beyond.

Date: Monday, October 11, 2010

Time: 12:00 to 2:30 with playground/picnic time after

Place: Floral Hall at Forest Park in Everett, WA (the building next to the pool)

- Directions

Schedule:

- 12:10 to 1:00 - "Intro to Unschooling" talk by Ronnie Maier

- 1:00 to 2:00 - Q&A Panel(s)

- 2:00 to ???? - Meet-and-greet playtime at the Forest Park playground

Suggested donation: $3 per adult

- No one will be turned away for inability to pay.

- This is a not-for-profit event. If we end up with extra money, we'll donate it to Harborview Medical Center.

Bring: Your questions, snacks if you want them, your kids, and a quiet activity for your kids to do.

Questions? Send email to Ronnie at hmsdragonfly@hotmail.com.

PANELIST BIOS

Diana Jenner lives and learns with her son, Hayden, 12. They've managed to navigate the wild waters of life without the experience of compulsory education. Diana has a lot to say about unschooling through a couple of Life's Big Traumas and some little ones, too. She's found online as Hahamommy: Bodhicitta www.hannahbearski.wordpress.com/

Frank Maier was thoroughly schooled; he wanted his kids' lives to be more fulfilling, more self-determined. As it turned out, uschooling with his kids made his life better, too. Who knew? Every day is a once-in-a-lifetime adventure. Frank blogs (with style!) at www.pvmaro.blogspot.com.

Ginger Sabo is a creative being enjoying her time in the Pacific Northwest with her soul mate, Jeff, her 3 kids (Annie, 21; Kai, 11 and Kade 9) and friends. In her spare time she enjoys making things for her etsy shop: http://www.etsy.com/shop/2Kmama and blogs about her experiences (on occasion) here: http://bubblesfromthefishtank.blogspot.com. Mostly, she likes to have fun and enjoy life in the moment.

Heather Burditt and TJ Phillips have been an unschooling family for almost 5 years. They recently relocated from Vermont to Washington with their 3 boys. Heather blogs about unschooling, mindful parenting, and living a radical life at www.swissarmywife.net. She also writes a monthly column for www.enjoylifeunschooling.com.

Mary Gold is the proud momma of a 16 year old daughter and 21 year old son. They have been unschooling since 1999, after her son spent 4 difficult years in public school. Mary has written articles about their unschooling journey (www.sandradodd.com/marygold) and spoken at several unschooling conferences. She is the coordinator of the LIFE is Good Unschooling Conference.

Robin Bentley and her family began unschooling almost 10 years ago in British Columbia. She, her dear husband Ross, awesome daughter Senna, and food-obsessed doggie Troy now live in happy haphazardry in Issaquah, WA.

Ronnie Maier and her family have been unschooling for almost 8 years. Their current adventure is transitioning to an empty nest. Ronnie has delivered talks at a number of unschooling conferences and writes about unschooling regularly on her blog at www.zombieprincess.blogspot.com.

Shonna Morgan discovered unschooling while her children were in school in Italy 8 years ago. She has been happily and joyfully learning all the time side by side with her 5 children for 5 years now, since leaving Italy. Leaving the stress of a school-led life behind has paved her way to happier family relationships.