Check out our incredible lineup of dynamic speakers for CHES 2025! Each one brings unmatched expertise, passion, and a heart for empowering families!
Stay connected—you won’t want to miss this!
KIRK SMITH
​EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR @ ICHE
Lifelong Benefits of Homeschooling
Kirk and Joely Smith have been married since 1991. Kirk graduated from Greenville College and taught and coached for two years at the high school level before founding the House of Prayer church in Albion, IL, which he pastored for almost 25 years.
Joely graduated from the University of Southern Indiana and taught first grade for two years before the birth of their first child, after which she stayed home. ​​​​​​
CEASAR LEFLORE
SENIOR PASTOR @
The Spirit of Liberty Church of God
The Good Soil Good Seed Scholarship Foundation
Rev. Ceasar I. LeFlore III is the Senior pastor at The Spirit of Liberty Church of God in Markham, Illinois. With a motto that reads, “Where worship and works come together”, their mission is to impact their community through acts of Christian love that include prayer ministry, Liberty Faith Academy Christian School, and the soon to launch “His Loving Arms Women’s Pregnancy Center.”
Reverend LeFlore is also the State Director of The Illinois Family Institute’s Public School Exit project, and the Founder and Chairman of the Good Soil Good Seed Christian Education Foundation, providing grants to launch Christian schools and scholarships for low-income families.​​​​​​
LATASHA H. FIELDS
Co-FOUNDER @
Christian Home Educators Support System (CHESS)
The Education Battleground
Pastor Latasha H. Fields, an 18-year home educator, and parental rights advocate, co-founded Our Report Ministries & Publications in Chicago with her husband, Pastor Ronald L. Fields, II. They have four children: two homeschooled graduates, one college graduate, and one entering a trade program.
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Latasha is the founder of Chicago Home Educators' Summit, CHESS and EPIC and serves as the Illinois State Coordinator for ParentalRights.org. A 1776 Unites Achiever and former candidate for Lieutenant Governor of Illinois (Max Solomon) and a strong critic of public schools for undermining parental authority and promoting harmful ideologies.
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She has testified before Congress, written for the Wall Street Journal, and appeared on Fox News, Newsmax, C-SPAN, Infowars, and more.​​​​​
LANISSIR JAMES
High School Educational Specialist & Outreach Coordinator for HSLDA
High School Transcript Clinic
A homeschooling mom and leader, LaNissir has a passion to serve the home-educating community. She provides social, spiritual, academic, and supervisory support for families in local groups and encourages and equips homeschool graduates to transition into colleges, careers, and vocational schools.
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As an HSLDA high school specialist, LaNissir loves speaking to parents to encourage and support their homeschooling with empathetic, engaging, and practical wisdom. She says, “The joy of helping a family feel confident that they can homeschool is priceless.”​​​​​​​​
LESLEE DIRNBERGER, J.D.
Founder and President of Aspire Education
Moving Beyond Labels - The Connection Between Health and Learning
Leslee Dirnberger (‘Mama D’ to her students), is a proud Mom of 4 homeschool graduates who are all thriving as they pursue their passions. Along with teaching and mentoring her own children, Leslee has taught her passions to thousands of homeschooled teens in local classes, worldwide online classes, and academic camps since 2008.
She has also started and run numerous Co-ops, Co-Schools/Microschools, and helped to build an online homeschool program to over 30,000 families.
Leslee also began consulting with homeschool families over 9 years ago and works with families
all over the world. Leslee is passionate about homeschooling in general, but has a special passion
for “Labeled” students, student athletes, and entrepreneurial/vocational students.
DR. NIKEYA YOUNG
Best-Selling Author/Board-Certified Mental Health Coach/Speaker/Podcast Host/Entertainer
#YesYouCan: A Toolkit for Homeschooling Children with Special Needs
Dr. Nikeya Young is a Best-Selling Author, Award-Winning Speaker, Board-Certified Mental Health Coach, Certified Master Life Coach/TEDx Speaker/Keynote Speaker, Workshop Facilitator/Ordained Minister/Podcast Host, and Entertainer. Her TEDx Talk, “Let’s Normalize Homeschooling,” made her the 1st Black person to give a talk on this subject.
She is also an experienced subject matter expert for local and national media outlets (such as WGN's Daytime Chicago and News Nation, Thrive Global, NBC News, The Steve Harvey Show, and more!). ​​​​​​​​​​​​​
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DR. MARK ZUMHAGEN
FOUNDER @ Fearfully and Wonderfully Made
Ater Exiting government education, is exiting the current vaccine system the next step? A Christian Analysis
Mark Zumhagen, MD, graduated from Rockford College with a B.A degree in mathematics in 1980. He then attended the University of Illinois School of Medicine at Peoria, where he graduated in 1985. He then completed his internship at McNeal Hospital Family Practice.
He soon after started working at Homefirst Health Services, a Chicago-based physician home practice, until 2010. In 2009, Dr. Zumhagen founded Fearfully & Wonderfully Made, a holistic and nutritionally based center in Orland Park, IL, where he currently practices.
Dr. Zumhagne and his wife Virginia have nine children and 24 grandchildren. When he is not working, you can find Dr. Zumhangen spending time with his family, playing piano or trombone with some local groups, reading his Bible or a history book, or re-enacting our 16th president, Abraham Lincoln. ​​​​​​​​​
DINORA RUIZ
Veteran Homeschool Mom of Eight: 27 Years of Experience
Audacity To Homeschool WITHOUT A Teaching Background
Dinora Ruiz is a homeschooled mom of 8 (3 daughters and 5 sons). She has been homeschooling for the past 27 years. She has been married to her high school friend for 30 years in February.
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Her life was radically changed when, at 20 years old, she had a life-altering encounter with Jesus Christ. It was then that the scales fell from her eyes, and she saw the corruption of the systems she lived in.
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This led her to the understanding that education is a lifestyle and not a season of life. Together, with her husband and children, they have traveled to half of the United States and abroad.
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She has had the privilege of serving the homeschool community while living in Chicago as a homeschool support group leader and now as a homeschooling advocate and course creator for homeschool parent development.
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Despite not having a formal teaching background, she felt a deep conviction that God was calling her to homeschool, and she had the audacity to believe she could do it! She believes the same for you!!!​​​​​​​
DR. GALE B. FRAIZER
FOUNDER @ Daughters of Sarah International Outreach Ministries
Battling for the Souls of Our Children
Dr. Gale B. Frazier has an extensive background in various facets of construction management, engineering, and education and is a certified clinical trauma professional, ordained minister, and author.
As a conference speaker, entrepreneur, and consultant with over 30 years of experience, Dr. Frazier has presented to both national and international audiences, providing consultation on various projects and topics.​​​​​​
Rachel Mikottis
Director: Free Haven Forest School
"Creating Future Leaders: The Transformative Power of Forest School Education"
I'm Rachel Mikottis, founder and director of Free Haven Forest School. I was homeschooled until college at 16 to become a teacher.
I was forced to coerce and bully little kids into doing worksheets that weren't developmentally appropriate and restrictions on outdoor play. This convinced me that traditional schooling wasn't effective for learning.
After five years, I helped my church start a daycare and preschool, refining my philosophy to focus on respecting children.
During COVID-19, I studied Forest School for safe outdoor learning and loved its impact on students. Unable to find an outdoor school job, I founded Free Haven Forest School in 2021 to promote leadership through outdoor experiences.
In 2020, I became certified as a Forest School Teacher and Director through the Forest School Teacher Institute and am pursuing an MSEd in Outdoor Education.
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LUNCH & LEARN PANEL
Felix & Ashley Davila
Homeschool Parents of Three!
Felix and Ashley Davila have four children, three of whom they homeschool, while one attends a private school. They began homeschooling in 2021 during the COVID-19 pandemic and haven’t looked back since.
Felix is an Armed Security Guard and a Military Veteran, holding a bachelor's degree in Business Management. Ashley is a licensed Cosmetologist who works from home. She co-owns a Photobooth company with her siblings and, together with her husband, will launch their short-term rental this year.
They initially began homeschooling due to concerns regarding the emphasis on gender ideology, comprehensive sexual education in schools, and mask mandates.
As time has passed, they have recognized the importance of instilling their Christian and family values in their children and creating a schedule that suits their family's needs.​​​​
John & Takita Moore
Homeschool Parents of One!
John and Takita Moore are a married couple who have dedicated themselves to homeschooling their son for nearly five years. They both transitioned from their previous careers as postal workers and automotive industry workers, each with a decade of service prior to their marriage. Their professional experiences have equipped them with hands-on skills, fostering creativity, problem-solving abilities, and a strong work ethic.
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Currently, the Moores focus on finances, investments, and trading stocks and futures, integrating these practical skills into their child’s education. They describe themselves as an extraordinary family striving to embrace the principles of living a kingdom life, with the primary goal of training their child in the way he should go.
They recognize the prevailing negative influences of today’s world, particularly through social media, which they believe corrupts good morals and values. Rather than letting the world dictate their child’s upbringing, they see it as their responsibility to impart these lessons.
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Their homeschooling approach blends traditional academics with hands-on projects, outdoor adventures, traveling, and practical, real-world learning experiences. They encourage their child to think critically, explore, ask questions, and develop leadership qualities, believing that the best way to instill these values is by leading through example.
The Moores are committed to integrating their values and morals into their child’s character and integrity, aligning with their faith and rejecting the alternative influences of the world and social media. They embrace challenges and are excited about the opportunity to teach, learn, and grow together as a family.
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As they often reflect, "A person may plan his path, but Adonai directs his steps" (Proverbs 16:9, CJB).
Mario & Kelly Abney
Homeschool Parents of Two!
Mario and Kelly have been married for eight years, and together, they have built a beautiful blended family of five. together, they have two children, Ora-Zuri (7) and Mario II (6), who have brought even more joy and unity to their family.
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Their story began in New Orleans, where Kelly was born and raised and where Mario was establishing his music career. It felt like fate that their paths crossed in the city that shaped both of their journeys. In 2021, as they faced increasing social and political pressures that didn’t align with their values, along with financial strain, they made the decision to move their family to Harvey, IL, Mario’s hometown, for a fresh start.
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As Ora and Mario reached preschool age, Kelly developed a passion for homeschooling. While searching for resources, she discovered the CHESS community led by LaTasha Fields and immediately connected with their mission. The unwavering support they found there gave them the confidence to continue on this path.
Today, they have successfully homeschooled their children through the first and second grades and remain committed to their education and growth.
Danielle Sanders
Homeschool Mom of One!
Danielle Sanders, a woman who was lost and is now found, has developed into a humanitarian, entrepreneur, mental health advocate, writer, media influencer, and homeschooling mom.
As a woman who wears so many hats, she is often asked how she does it. Her response is, “through Divine Love who strengthens me.”
Charles Pryor
@charlespryormedia @charlespryormus
Homeschool Dad of One!
Meet Charles Pryor, a passionate and talented professional trumpet player hailing from the vibrant city of Chicago. Born into a musical family, Charles’s father, a skilled trumpet player himself, passed down his love for music and expertise in playing the trumpet to his son.
With a deep-rooted connection to the instrument, Charles has honed his skills over the years,mastering the art of trumpet playing with finesse and dedication. His soulful melodies and powerful rful performances have captivated audiences at various events and venues, earning him a reputation as a standout musician in the industry.
In addition to his performances, Charles is also a dedicated music teacher, sharing his knowledge and passion for music with aspiring musicians of all ages. Through his teaching, he inspired the next generation of trumpet players to reach new heights and explore the boundless possibilities of music.
Whether he's gracing the stage with his electrifying performances or nurturing the talents of his students, Charles Pryor continues to make a lasting impact in the world of music with his exceptional trumpet skills and unwavering dedication to his craft.
Charles is currently the resident music artist at the Sweetwater Foundation located on the southside of Chicago.
Charles also serves as a remote and onsite music teacher for Chessup.org Christian Home School. Finally, as a member of the Chicago Windy City Ramblers, he uses his skill to perform and teach the younger generation, preparing them for the future.
