2010 Buffalo Catholic Homeschooling Conference Speakers
Bishop Edward U. Kmiec
On August 12, 2004, Pope John Paul II named Bishop Kmiec the 13th Bishop of Buffalo. He was installed as the 13th bishop of Buffalo on October 28, 2004. Bishop Kmiec will be addressing and blessing the homeschooling families.
Miki Hill
“Homeschooling without Regrets”
Miki Hill is the mother of nine children. She and her husband Tim have been homeschooling for 28 years, true pioneers in the Catholic homeschool community. They were founding members of TORCH (Traditions of Roman Catholic Homes) and NACHE (National Association of Catholic Homes and Educators) and are presidents of the Catholic Family EXPO. While continuing to homeschool their own children, Miki and Tim founded a Catholic school in 1995 in their area for families who did not feel called to homeschool. Miki is a regular speaker at homeschooling events and marriage and family conferences across the country, and is pursuing a Master's degree in Theology. She and long-time friend Mary Hasson wrote a chapter in the book, Back to the Drawing Board: The Future of the Pro Life Movement, edited by Teresa Wagner in 2004. The dynamic duo hosted an internationally broadcast television series entitled, "Women's Issues For the Third Millennium" and have started a new series called, "Real Faith, Real Life, Real People."
Rachel Watkins
“Joy, Strength and Encouragement for Life in the Psalms?”
Rachel Watkins is a homeschooling mother of eleven, a freelance writer and creator of The Little Flowers Girl's Clubs (www.eccehomopress.com). She served on the board of the National Association of Catholic Home Educators (NACHE) for over twelve years. Rachel and her husband, Matt, are weekly contributors to the Heart, Mind, and Strength radio broadcast (every Friday 12:00 pm eastern). In their segment, "Life in the Big House," they explore the joys and struggles of living "large" (large family, that is). Whatever the size of your family, Rachel and Matt's insights can help you to live a more joyful, sane, and faithful life.
Carole Breslin
"Beginning Homeschooling"
Mrs. Carole Breslin lived in Malaysia for six years as a Peace Corps volunteer after receiving her Bachelor's degree in Accounting and Economics, and worked her way up to Acting Director in the Vietnamese Refugee Resettlement Office. She later earned her Master's in Accounting and Organizational Development from the University of Michigan during which time she met and married her husband, Mike. Mrs. Breslin served as treasurer of the Michigan Catholic Home Educators for 8 years, and currently serves on its Board of Directors. She has spoken at a number of conferences and has published articles in various newsletters. She has been educating her children, four daughters, at home for 16 years. Three are in college, and she continues to home school her youngest, now in tenth grade.