Adult Workshops

Fr. John Boddecker is a priest in the Russian Orthodox Church outside of Russia. He and his wife, Matushka Katherine, are the proud parents and home-educators of five boys. Having previously served in parish ministry, he is currently a faculty member at Holy Trinity Orthodox Seminary in Jordanville, NY where he teaches courses in Biblical Exegesis and Theology and also serves as the Director of Graduate Studies.

Lectures: “Think on These Things”: The Place of Good Culture in the Formation of Your Child’s Desire

This talk will focus on the importance of “desire” and argue that its formation should be seen as a central task in the education of children. We need to face the fact that if we, as parents, do not take an active role in the crafting of our children’s desire, others will with potentially less-than-desirable results. But if, instead of losing hope, we look to the Great Tradition, its literature, music, and art, and make it a central component of our children’s education, we may come to discover that these are not just academic subjects, but rather a transgenerational apprenticeship in the formation of desire that will help our children become human in the midst of an increasingly inhumane society.

“Restless Till We Rest in Thee”: The Ultimate Aim of Your Child’s Desire

Building on the theme of the previous talk, this talk will examine the way in which properly ordered desires will serve our children, not only as a safeguard against going astray in the dark wood of the world but by ultimately leading them to the knowledge and vision of God, that Love that moves the sun and the other stars. By drawing together and considering a number of Biblical images of and Patristic reflections on the nature of human desire and its thirst for God, we will consider how we as parents might assist our children in directing their restless hearts towards the One in Whom they will finally find rest.

Andrew Kern is founder and president of the CiRCE Institute and coauthor of The Lost Tools of Writing and of Classical Education: The Movement Sweeping America, which he wrote with Dr. Gene Edward Veith. Andrew continues to mentor classical educators and home educators through speaking, writing, and consulting, and through a number of programs developed by the Circe Institute, including their Apprenticeship program. He and his wife live in North Carolina, and their 5 more or less classically educated and more or less homeschooled children, and ever more grandchildren, live in various places, depending on when you ask.

Lecture: The Four Standards For Assessing Our Teaching

A reflection on how to ensure our teaching is Logocentric, Humanistic (but not secular), Pious, and Coherent.

Fr. Isaac Danevicius has spent the last nearly five years striving to serve the parish of St. George in Altoona, PA, while also working together with his wife to homeschool their six children. He brings with him the experience of having taught 5th grade for four years at a small Christian school and has a passion for classical education.

Workshop: It Takes Two: The Importance of BOTH Parents in Homeschooling

Too often it is assumed that the responsibilities for homeschooling kids should fall upon the shoulders of the mother in the family, especially if that mother is a homemaker. However, homeschooling offers an incredible opportunity for fathers to be instrumental in their children’s education and a formative presence in their lives. In this workshop we’ll discuss ways in which both parents can contribute to their children’s education and be a blessing in their lives and upbringings.

Fr Joshua. and Kh. Meredith Burnett school their nine children (two adopted) in Linthicum, MD, where they also shepherd a small Antiochian parish, Holy Cross.

Workshop: Your Marriage Doesn't Get the Backseat

We frequently tend to emphasize the benefits of homeschooling for our children and for the life of the family, but homeschooling also has an impact upon the married couple who are then directly responsible for the schooling of their children. This workshop will explore the challenges that homeschooling can present for a marriage, as well as the ways in which it can enrich married life. We will discuss how a spirit of generosity towards one’s spouse is critical to the married life of homeschooling parents, ways in which homeschooling couples can foster an enjoyment of learning alongside each other, and the importance of carving out time for the couple to share their daily triumphs and challenges.

Panels

Homeschooling 101:

Kh. Elizabeth Bushelli (Lead Panelist) has been homeschooling her ten children for almost twenty years. Her oldest son is now a graduate student! In addition to directing her church choir, she is also lead teacher at her parish's homeschool co-op. One of her favorite pastimes is discussing homeschooling with other parents!

Matushka Katherine Boddecker is happily married to Fr John Boddecker, who teaches at Holy Trinity Seminary. She began home educating when her eldest son was a baby to address the health and developmental challenges associated with Down Syndrome. Now she gratefully spends her days homeschooling her five sons, ages 2-11, and occasionally works at the local public library.

Laura Powell of Pittsburgh, PA recently began her homeschooling journey in earnest with her children ages 8, 5, 3, and 1. In these early years, she focused on bringing the family together with reading and short lessons during "morning time." Laura enjoys studying different homeschooling ideas. In her free time, she likes to read, work in the garden, and hike with the family.

Kh. Morielle Danevicius is the wife of Fr. Isaac Danevicius and the mother of six children (half boys, half girls, ages 3-13). She’s been blessed to be able to homeschool from the get-go and loves the freedom it gives them to live the seasons of the Church more fully and to be able to prioritize everyone’s personal interests. They live on a couple of acres outside of town with a big garden and various animals, and are always dreaming of ways to add to their mini “homestead”. Kh. Morielle also enjoys investing herself in the local homeschool community and serving their parish, St. George.

Launching Teens & Youths:

Fr. Noah Bushelli (Lead Panelist) is an archpriest of the Antiochian Archdiocese, pastor of St Philip Parish in Souderton, PA, and director of the Department of Homeschooling. He and his wife, Kh Elizabeth, are raising ten children, and have successfully graduated three of them: one pursuing a PhD in Mathematics and two in college. They are grateful to God for His help and the help of many in the family, parish, homeschool world, and the local community.

Dn. Thomas Weaver serves at Holy Trinity Western Rite parish in Lynchburg, VA. He was privileged to help his wife Sh. Angela raise two sons. He co-hosts the monthly Dad Gab with Fr. Noah Bushelli.

Karen Kern is wife to Andrew, mother to five adult children, grandmother to eight, ages 13 to 3. She is a retired 3rd grade teacher and administrator and currently works part-time with Andrew at the Circe Institute. Her interests include leading a book club for homeschool moms, serving on her parish council, teaching Sunday school and in her grandsons' homeschool  co-op, and best of all, spending time with her grandchildren, who thankfully all live close by!