ERIC BURGES 

Eric is an artist, speaker, songwriter and singer, as well as a licensed minister.  Eric speaks on several topics such as marriage, disciplining and family-building.   One of the most interesting and memorable times for Eric is when he participates with each child on a hands-on activity.  Eric enjoys simple woodcrafts and building projects.  He finds building fences with his sons and working on simple wood projects with his daughters priceless.  Eric is a sought out all across the country.  Eric, who along with his wife Joyce is a veteran homeschool parent of over 20-years, is the President of the Board of Directors and founder of NBHE. 

JOYCE BURGES 

Joyce is a nationally sought out speaker and singer.  Her talents have been displayed in churches, professional women’s groups, women’s conferences, civic events and home school conferences. Joyce has also represented NBHE and home education in Washington DC with the U.S. Department of Education.  Musically speaking, Joyce feels that if she can usher in a presence of incredible love and joy she has touched the center of someone’s life.  Joyce remembers teaching her children vocally as well as some piano.  She values this time with each child and credits these moments as some of her most memorable ones.  Joyce, who along with her husband Eric is a veteran home educator for 20 years, serves as Chief Executive Officer of NBHE.  The Burgeses have 5 children (4 graduated).

BRUCE SHORTT

Dr. Bruce N. Shortt is the author of The Harsh Truth About Public Schools and a number of articles on homeschooling and education that have been published by WorldNet Daily, Homeschooling Today, The Old Schoolhouse, and other periodicals. Dr. Shortt has also co-sponsored five resolutions regarding Christian education within the Southern Baptist Convention as part of his work in connection with Exodus Mandate, a ministry that promotes Christian education. In connection with his work on behalf of Christian education, Dr. Shortt has done numerous print and radio interviews, as well as several television appearances. Dr. Shortt has a Ph.D. from Stanford University, where he was a Whiting Fellow, a law Degree from Harvard University, and was a Fulbright Scholar following his graduation summa cum laude from Amherst College. Dr. Shortt is also a member of Phi Beta Kappa. Dr. Shortt and his wife homeschool their three sons in Spring, Texas.

ELIZABETH SMITH 

Elizabeth Smith is the home schooling wife of Michael, President of Home School Legal Defense Association.  She home schooled three of her four children for fifteen years who have all graduated from college.  She writes on home schooling and speaks at home school conferences, leadership symposiums, and women’s retreats throughout the United States.  She and her husband, Mike have appeared several times on the Focus on the Family radio program. 

Elizabeth serves as Chairman of the Board of Breakthrough Intercessory Prayer Ministry, and is Director of Development at the Home School Foundation. She also lobbies in Washington D.C. for the National Center for Home Education.

Fern Taylor

Fern Taylor is a committed father and husband.  Greatly inspired by his wife Thomasena, he has been invovled in home-schooling for over 13 years.  Together Fern and Thomasena have been blessed to raise and pour into seven wonderful children, ages 18 to 3.  A systems analyst and project manager in call center technologies for nearly 20 years, Fern is also a writer/editor, saxophonist, and liscensed minister.  He has addressed families in churches, academia, and home school conferences. 

 

Covert, Michigan native and University of Michigan graduate, Valerie Felder is an 18-year homeschool instructor. An Air Force veteran, she is a musician, drama coordinator, math tutor, Toastmaster speaker and Youth Leadership Coordinator, and group/events featured speaker. She and husband E. Lee Felder, Jr. of Bryan, Texas, have nine children.