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Guest Lectures

Periodically, HSLDA Online Academy hosts distinguished guest lecturers. On this page, you can access the recordings of these interesting and informative lectures.

All Work and No Play: A Christian View of Leisure – Mr. Mike Schutt

Is it possible that leisure—true leisure—can be even more essential for the Christian than hard work? What is the difference between leisure and "free time"? In this guest lecture, Mike Schutt of Worldview Academy considers these questions head on. He examines the Christian view of leisure, and discusses how true leisure has little to do with the amusements and diversions we use to distract ourselves. Mike will argue that leisure is a high calling of mankind—a calling that Christians sometimes seem to oppose—and will suggest habits that lead to true leisure, which in turn helps us pursue God well.

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What Happens After High School? An Academy Alumna Shares Her Story – Mrs. Elle Purnell

Watch a conversation between HSLDA and Elle Purnell, a young Academy alumna and graduate of Patrick Henry College now working as a journalist for The Federalist. We discuss what drew her to journalism as a career, the impact Academy classes had on her career choice, and any advice she has for students trying to decide on a career path.

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Soaring Through the Admissions and Scholarship Process – Mrs. Kimberly Farley

Kimberly Farley, a veteran homeschooling mom of three and Director of Homeschool Partnerships at the Classic Learning Test, walks you through the college admissions process and provides valuable tips for finding scholarships. Her lecture covers common misconceptions about the process, ways students can stand out, and the pros and cons of going test optional. Kimberly also shares how the Classic Learning Test can benefit your students in their educational journeys.

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Shepherd Leadership: The Missing Link to Leading Well – Mrs. Holly Culhane

Holly Culhane will discuss the biblical model of shepherd leadership. The timeless responsibilities found in this model are essential to leading well, and they can be practically implemented whatever our age or circumstances. Holly will explore the three pivotal elements of shepherd leadership and share how these elements can transform your life and the lives of those around you.

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Backstage with The Bee – Mr. Jamie Zugelder

Many of you have heard of The Babylon Bee, a satirical news site which pokes fun at current events. But what about the business side? How does that work? Jamie Zugelder will discuss the day-to-day operations of the company including marketing, advertising sales, the content creation process, and more. Jamie will also address how to remotely manage a team of 30+ individuals.

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Conquering Screen Saturation: A Balanced Life in the Digital Age – Mr. Mark Hancock

Our society now runs on computers and screens, and it is a relentless battle to balance the "real" and digital worlds. Mark Hancock addresses this important topic head on. Mark shares helpful suggestions on how to control the spread and influence of screen time, and provide useful insights for living well in the digital age.

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The Truth About (Cyber) Bullying – Mrs. Candace Dugger

Candice Dugger, a leading expert on bullying, discusses bullying, its effect on teens’ mental health, and how they can best heal from these experiences. Candice guides teens and parents through the challenges of cyber and in-person bullying. She identifies the differences between conflict and bullying, and equip students and parents to handle these situations if they arise.

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The College Search Process – Mr. Andy Gammons

This lecture features Andy Gammon, Executive Director of Admissions at Taylor University and homeschool dad of six. Andy presents an overview of higher education options, explains how to determine if a college is a good fit, and shares practical steps high schoolers can take now to be prepared for the college search process.

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Navigating the College Process – Mr. Stephen Pierce

Stephen Pierce, Director of Student Recruitment at Patrick Henry College, explains why diligent planning and preparation is important for the college scholarship search, and helps you prepare for these discussions as a family.

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Bella Musica: Exploring Music Across Time – Mrs. Nedra Kaufman

Nedra Kaufman teaches an interactive and engaging mini-course on different musical eras and the traits that define them. If you've ever wondered what makes Bach's music different from Beethoven's, or why we separate music history into eras at all, this course is for you. Bonus: all registrants receive a coupon code for HSLDA's Music Appreciation & History class!

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Homeschooling the College-bound Teen – Mrs. LaNissir James

LaNissir James, HSLDA high school consultant, discusses how to determine parameters for selecting a college, make the most of a college visit, and gather the necessary information for your student's application.

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Writing with Structure – Dr. Leslie Sillars

Dr. Leslie Sillars, Professor of Journalism at Patrick Henry College and editor at WORLD, discusses how students can improve the rhetorical structure of their essays. If you've ever struggled to organize your thoughts on paper, this lecture is for you!

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Created For Work – Mr. Jeff Aupperle

"What happens after high school?" "What will I do with my life?" "How do I know what God is calling me to be?" Many high school students struggle with these questions. In this guest lecture, Jeff discusses God's invitation to collaborate with Him through our work, and provides practical advice for navigating post-high school life decisions.

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Nurturing Competent Communicators – Mr. Andrew Pudewa

Communicating well is an important life skill, one which can open many doors for your students. Andrew Pudewa, founder of the Institute for Excellence in Writing, will share two easy but powerful things your students can do to grow their language skills and become effective communicators.

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Biblical Worldview & Critical Thinking – Mr. Renton Rathbun

Mr. Rathbun, an educator with over 20 years of experience, explores the importance of incorporating a Biblical worldview into education and critical thinking. Unfortunately, some view Biblical worldview as "frosting on the cake"—as something nice to have if there is extra time. However, this is a fundamental misunderstanding of Biblical worldview. Mr. Rathbun will show you why critical thinking is impossible without a Biblical worldview.

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Art and Science of Good Leadership – Mr. Joel Grewe

Hosted by Generation Joshua Director Joel Grewe, this lecture series covers some of the core information needed for any leader, be it the president of the United States or the chair of the local library board. Join us as we explore communication, team conflict, character and personal skills assessment, and more!

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Roots of Liberty – Mr. Jeremiah Lorrig

In this four-part series hosted in partnership with Generation Joshua, Jeremiah will lead your student through a history of the heritage of freedom that the American Founding Fathers drew on when they wrote the Constitution. The journey will take you to the histories of Jerusalem, Athens, Rome, and London.

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Jump Start SAT®/ACT® Prep – Mrs. Jean Burk

Over 80% of colleges and universities will award scholarship money based solely on test scores, yet many students score poorly. Don't miss out on the scholarships that colleges and universities hand out! Jump start your SAT®/ACT® test prep with this webinar featuring Jean Burk, author of award-winning College Prep Genius.

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High School Transcript Crash Course – Mrs. Carol Becker

Mrs. Carol Becker, an HSLDA High School Consultant and homeschool veteran, discusses how to properly format high school transcripts. 

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The Best-Kept Secret to Free College: The PSAT/NMSQT® – Mrs. Jean Burk

Mrs. Jean Burk, author and creator of the award-winning College Prep Genius, shares how the PSAT/NMSQT® helps students earn college scholarships. She will also show students how to score well on the test by learning the strategies the test-makers use when writing the test.

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Clearly, Concisely, Gracefully: The Art of Writing Well – Dr. Leslie Sillars

Dr. Leslie Sillars, professor of journalism at Patrick Henry College and staff member at WORLD magazine, shares principles you can implement to improve your writing. He will also discuss the importance of Christian storytellers for shaping our culture.

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Why Colleges Love to Recruit Homeschool Students – Jeremy Tate

Mr. Jeremy Tate, founder and CEO of the Classic Learning Test (CLT), discusses what makes homeschoolers so attractive for universities. In addition, Mr. Tate talks about the history of standardized testing, how homeschooling has changed the focus of higher education, and opportunities for scholarship and awards.

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Career Steps for High School Students – Carol Becker

Carol and her husband Jim homeschooled their son from grades 1–12 and their daughter K–12 using a variety of teaching options. Their son has a M.S. in Information Technology and a B.S. in Systems Engineering, and their daughter earned a B.A. with Highest Distinction in French. Carol speaks nationally and writes extensively on high school topics.

In this guest lecture, Carol Becker addresses how high school students can cultivate skills they'll need after graduation, whether in college or in the workforce.

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Civic Responsibility – Joel Grewe

Joel started his life of advocacy in 6th grade, when he convinced his mother to homeschool him. He went on to work for Congressman J.C. Watts on Capitol Hill, then delved into the world of demographic research. Today, Joel serves as a Councilman for the town of Purcellville, VA, and Director for HSLDA's Generation Joshua. He draws from over 20 years of ministry and political experience.

In this guest lecture, Joel Grewe explores the concept of civic responsibility and how it applies to you.

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How to Ace the SAT – Jean Burke

Jean Burk, author and teacher of award-winning SAT strategies, describes strategies and patterns found within the SAT, ACT, and PSAT, and how students who know these strategies are able to significantly raise their test scores.

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What is a Classical Christian Education? – Dr. Douglas Favelo

Dr. Douglas Favelo, scholar, PHC professor, and homeschool dad, answers the question, "What is a Classical Christian Education?"

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Are You Really a Leader? – President Jack Haye

Mr. Jack Haye, president of PHC and longtime business leader, helps students understand the meaning of leadership and discover their unique "leadership shape."

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Science and Faith: Kingdoms in Conflict? – Dr. Michael Kucks

Dr. Kucks, the Director of the Economics & Business Analytics Program and Associate Professor of Mathematics and Physics at Patrick Henry College tells students how they can integrate science and faith.

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