Prior to receiving her calling to homeschool, Dr. Rochelle Matthews-Somerville completed an MS in Special Education with a focus on Autism/Asperger’s Syndrome and Behavior Disorders and a doctorate in Psychological and Cultural Studies with a concentration in Learners with Severe and Communication Disorders.

Rochelle has over 20 years of clinical experience serving youth and their families in the field of Early Childhood and Special Education and has served as a university professor, county-wide autism specialist, and K–12 resource teacher and educational consultant in both the private and public education arenas. She has a passion for teaching and loves speaking at local conferences and across local school districts.

Over the past 10 years, Rochelle has also shared her gifts with the homeschool community as she has served as program director, community instructor, and assessment liaison. She genuinely enjoys providing encouragement and support to other homeschooling families in all ways possible, and she joined Home School Legal Defense Association as a special needs educational consultant in July 2019, presently serving as team leader.

Rochelle is the mother of six beautiful children (five boys and one girl) and has been homeschooling for 11 years. She lives with her husband and children in Charles County, Maryland.

Join us on Saturday, June 3, 2023 at the University of Maryland Riggs Alumni Center to hear Dr. Rochelle Matthews-Somerville and many other wonderful speakers for an intimate time of inspiration, bolstering, and refreshment for all Maryland homeschool families!

A homeschooling mom and leader, LaNissir has a passion to serve the home-educating community. She provides social, spiritual, academic, and supervisory support for families in local groups and encourages and equips homeschool graduates to transition into colleges, careers, and vocational schools.

As an HSLDA high school consultant, LaNissir loves speaking to parents to encourage and support their homeschooling with empathetic, engaging, and practical wisdom. She says, “The joy of helping a family feel confident that they can homeschool is priceless.”
She earned her BS in journalism from the University of Maryland College Park, is Myers-Briggs Type Indicator certified, and is pursuing a master’s degree in biblical studies.

LaNissir is wife to Lorenzo, who also serves the homeschooling community through sports programs, photography services, and photography classes. She is the mother of seven beautiful homeschooled children (five girls and two boys) with ages ranging from toddler to young adult. Her hobbies include reading, traveling, photography, and kayaking.

Join us on Saturday, June 3, 2023 at the University of Maryland Riggs Alumni Center to hear LaNissir James and many other wonderful speakers for an intimate time of inspiration, bolstering, and refreshment for all Maryland homeschool families!

Kimberly Farley is a veteran homeschooling mom of three who all attended their top choice private colleges with significant scholarships. She is the Director of Homeschool Partnerships at CLT where she works with both homeschool organizations and partner colleges. Kimberly remains actively involved with homeschool students by volunteering as director and coach of a speech and debate club and serving the national organization. She enjoys helping homeschool families navigate the college process and finding where their students will thrive.

Join us on Saturday, June 3, 2023 at the University of Maryland Riggs Alumni Center to hear Kimberley Farley and many other wonderful speakers for an intimate time of inspiration, bolstering, and refreshment for all Maryland homeschool families!

As SPED Homeschool Founder & CEO, Peggy is a leader in the homeschooling community and is a popular speaker on home educating students with learning challenges. This physicist turned home educator left a lucrative career in the medical device industry to teach the struggling learners in her own home, which eventually turned into a lifetime calling. Peggy founded SPED Homeschool in 2017 and now leads an organization that empowers thousands of families across the globe each year to create specialized home education plans.

Peggy is also the host of the very popular live broadcast and podcast, Empowering Homeschool Conversations, a weekly talk show where her guests address relevant issues related to customizing homeschooling for unique learners.

Peggy is the former:

• Texas Home School Coalition Special Needs Team Lead
  Minnesota
• Association of Christian Home Educators Special Needs Coordinator
• Mothers of Preschoolers Area Coordinator for MN, ND and SD.

She is certified by the American Association of Christian Counselors and trained as a Precept Bible Study leader. Plus, on the side, she is a professional aerial silks performer and instructor at her other business, Eternal Aerial Arts LLC.

In her free time, Peggy enjoys vegan cooking, paddle boarding, hiking and reading. She and her husband Doug live in League City, TX, and after 19 years of homeschooling have now graduated all three of their children from their home school.

Join us on Saturday, June 3, 2023 at the University of Maryland Riggs Alumni Center to hear Peggy Ployhar and many other wonderful speakers for an intimate time of inspiration, bolstering, and refreshment for all Maryland homeschool families!