AMANDA OSTRANDER
Amanda is a former teacher, turned homeschool mom with a passion for helping other parents in their homeschooling journey. On her YouTube channel, Raising A to Z, shares weekly videos that are informational and inspirational. A lover of books, unit studies, and hands-on learning, she certainly had an eclectic homeschooling style, that she couples with a simple and realistic approach to life. She resides in Northern Ontario, with her husband, 2 daughters, Alexie and Zoe, and their dog, Mack. If she’s not making videos, Amanda is happiest baking cookies or working on her latest creative project.
2023 CONFERENCE SESSION
PAST CONFERENCE SESSIONS
SESSION: TAKE IT FROM TWO TEACHERS : YOU CAN HOMESCHOOL
People are often surprised to hear that we are two teachers who decided to homeschool their kids. But, rarely do they question us, because they believe we are educated enough to effectively teach our kids. The truth is you can homeschool your children and you don’t need a teacher’s certificate to do it well. Take it from two teachers; Homeschooling is a valid choice and you are qualified to educate your children at home.
SESSION: WILL HOMESCHOOLING RUIN MY CHILD?
New homeschoolers are often worried that homeschooling is somehow going to “ruin” their child. With homeschooling
being considered “outside” of mainstream schooling, the result could be an antisocial weirdo with strange interests and no job-prospects.
Let me take some time to reassure you that it won’t happen and break down some of the fears around homeschooling. We’ll talk about socialization, interest-based education and even touch on post-secondary education. And you’ll leave with some practical tips and advice and maybe a little inspiration.
SESSION: RHYTHMS AND ROUTINES
Everyone is looking for the perfect schedule when it comes to homeschooling. But, every family is unique, and what works for one might not work for another. In this session, we’ll cover how to establish routines that will work for your unique family. We’ll also look at why you might want to establish a family rhythm rather than follow a strict routine or schedule.This session is great for any new homeschooler who is looking to get some help figuring out what their days could look like, or for more veteran homeschoolers who are stuck in a rut.