The Speakers

Anna McLaughlin

Karin Fender

Durenda Wilson

Jodi Reed

Mike Morris

Audrey Carr

Larry Clark

Ava Arnold

Anna McLaughlin

Anna McLaughlin is a happy wife and grateful-but-sometimes-tired homeschooling mother of four, life coach, podcaster, investor, and child of God. Over a decade ago, Anna left her demanding career as a corporate lawyer to be more present with her family. She became a reluctant entrepreneur nine years ago as she realized the kingdom impact of building something to serve others while helping her family financially. Combining her strategic bent as a former lawyer with her insights as a coach as well as her Holy-Spirit-led intuition, Anna encourages women of faith to uncover and own their unique God-given identity in all areas of their lives, so that they might serve with purpose and passion both at home and beyond. You can find her at sheconsidersafield.com or on her podcast, She Considers a Field. Her favorite things are watching and encouraging her children to become the people she always knew they were (with some surprises along the way!); coaching and encouraging women of faith to walk in their gifts; and curling up on the couch for a family read-aloud or movie night!

Karin Fender

Karin is a former public school teacher who homeschooled for 19 years – 13 of which she was a single parent. Her two children both graduated from homeschooling. Currently, she is a farm wife and grandmother of two, who are also homeschooled. Karin’s heart is to encourage grandparents in supporting their children and grandchildren as they pursue home education.

Karin Fender

Karin is a former public school teacher who homeschooled for 19 years – 13 of which she was a single parent. Her two children both graduated from homeschooling. Currently, she is a farm wife and grandmother of two, who are also homeschooled. Karin’s heart is to encourage grandparents in supporting their children and grandchildren as they pursue home education.

Durenda Wilson

With more than twenty-eight years of home education experience, Durenda Wilson is a trusted voice and resource at homeschooling conventions and on The Durenda Wilson Podcast.

Durenda and her husband, Darryl have been married for 34 years. They have eight kids (7 graduated so far) and ten grandchildren. As an author, speaker, and podcaster her greatest joy is reminding parents how doable and effective homeschooling is and that they are, in fact, qualified for the job! Her books include The Four Hour School Day, The Unhurried Homeschooler, Unhurried Grace for a Mom’s Heart, and Raising Boys to Men.

Jodi Reed

Jodi Reed is the daughter of the Most High God, wife of an amazing servant leader in full time ministry, and home educating mama of seven. Nestled in the mountains of southwest Virginia, she delights daily in leading others to the feet of Jesus, our only Hope! As a veteran home educator of 15+ years, she is grateful for the opportunity to encourage other moms in the joys and challenges of discipling the next generation.

Jodi Reed

Jodi Reed is the daughter of the Most High God, wife of an amazing servant leader in full time ministry, and home educating mama of seven. Nestled in the mountains of southwest Virginia, she delights daily in leading others to the feet of Jesus, our only Hope! As a veteran home educator of 15+ years, she is grateful for the opportunity to encourage other moms in the joys and challenges of discipling the next generation.

Mike Morris

Mike has been the pastor at Cornerstone Community Church in Galax since 2007. Before that, he worked as a Mechanical Engineer for 12 years. Mike holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Mechanical Engineering from Virginia Tech, a Master of Arts in Religion in Christian Leadership from Liberty University, and is currently working on his Doctorate of Ministry from Anderson University in South Carolina.

He and his wife, Jennifer, have been married for 29 years and have three adult children, who were all homeschooled. All three children thrived in college and finished their bachelor’s degree in 3 years or less. Mike was active in high school sports and extracurricular activities, so he initially was a reluctant homeschool dad. However, after seeing how each child could receive a customized educational experience, he now firmly believes in the advantages of homeschooling.

Audrey Carr

Audrey Carr is 24 years old and currently lives in Lynchburg VA with her husband Jayson Carr. She received her Bachelor of Arts in Theology & Apologetics with a focus in Global Studies cum laude from Liberty University in 2022. She then received her Master of Arts in Communication from LU in 2023. Audrey played for the Liberty University Women’s Basketball team for four years. She helped the team win the 2020 Atlantic Sun Conference Championship and received the Flames Award in the same year. Audrey is currently in her second year at Liberty University School of Law and plans to practice family law or constitutional law upon graduation. Audrey has a passion for parental rights and educational freedom, and she hopes to use her foundation of being homeschooled K-12 to encourage both students and parents to pursue their God-given dreams. Audrey loves to read, go on outdoor adventures, play any competitive sport, and hang out with her crazy family.

Audrey Carr

Audrey Carr is 24 years old and currently lives in Lynchburg VA with her husband Jayson Carr. She received her Bachelor of Arts in Theology & Apologetics with a focus in Global Studies cum laude from Liberty University in 2022. She then received her Master of Arts in Communication from LU in 2023. Audrey played for the Liberty University Women’s Basketball team for four years. She helped the team win the 2020 Atlantic Sun Conference Championship and received the Flames Award in the same year. Audrey is currently in her second year at Liberty University School of Law and plans to practice family law or constitutional law upon graduation. Audrey has a passion for parental rights and educational freedom, and she hopes to use her foundation of being homeschooled K-12 to encourage both students and parents to pursue their God-given dreams. Audrey loves to read, go on outdoor adventures, play any competitive sport, and hang out with her crazy family.

Larry Clark

Coach Larry Clark of Galax, Virginia has been coaching basketball for 18 years. He and his wife Diana, began the State Line Rush homeschool basketball program & the Virginia Blaze FCA travel basketball program. This 2024/2025 season marks the 15th year for State Line Rush Basketball. They are the parents of 8 children, 7 girls & 1 boy. Larry has been blessed to see Rush players continue their basketball careers in every level of collegiate basketball; D3, D2 & D1. As well as NAIA & NCCAA. Most recently, Rush player Aden Clark was selected as the Virginia Homeschool Basketball Player of the Year (2023/2024 season). They continue to be involved in basketball and sports ministry. They attend Cornerstone Community Church in Galax. They have been married for 33 years and have 8 grandchildren.

2016 Virginia Homeschool State Champions
2018 NACA D4 Champions
2019 NACA D2 Runner-Up
2019 HSPN Grand Champions
2018 (VA Blaze FCA) USBA National Champions
2018 & 2019 (VA Blaze FCA) Commonwealth Games of Virginia Champions

Ava Arnold

My name is Ava Arnold. My husband, Daniel, and I have been married for 36 years. We have seven children ranging in age from 16-33. We have been homeschooling for almost 30 years. We have a total of 7 grandchildren thus far, with the 2 older grandchildren being homeschooled. My passion is to raise my children to love and serve our Lord and Savior. Educating disciples is my primary focus in this homeschool journey.

Ava Arnold

My name is Ava Arnold. My husband, Daniel, and I have been married for 36 years. We have seven children ranging in age from 16-33. We have been homeschooling for almost 30 years. We have a total of 7 grandchildren thus far, with the 2 older grandchildren being homeschooled. My passion is to raise my children to love and serve our Lord and Savior. Educating disciples is my primary focus in this homeschool journey.