October 2 & 3, 2026

Rooted & rising

charlotte mason conference

Alhambra, California

Schedule

Friday

Saturday

Morning

9:00 Welcome and hymn
9:20 Plenary #1 - Elizabeth Rodriguez
9:45 Composer Study
10:00 Plenary #2 - Naomi Goegan
10:30 Break
10:45 - 11:45 Workshops

  • The Read-Aloud Mother by Beth Gregory

  • Treasures For the Journey: Hymns, Folksongs, and Poetry for Life by Lovejoy Ontiveros

  • The Habit of Attention by Elisha Larson

12:00 - 12:15 Folk Dance

Afternoon

1:45 Giveaway of homeschool items
2:00 Poetry and Picture Study
2:25 Afternoon Workshops

  • Involving the Lord in Your Kids’ Education by Jen Taing

  • Loving Discipline by Elizabeth Rodriguez;

  • Narration: Know and Tell by Christiane Wong


3:40 Plenary #3 - Erin Kunkle
4:20 Closing Hymn

Afternoon & Evening

4:30 - 6: Nature study at Arlington Gardens
6:30 - 8: Dinner, comedy show, and homeschool panel at the Gregory home

2026

SPEAKERS

Erin Kunkle

Naomi Goegan

Elizabeth Rodriguez

Erin Kunkle is the co-founder of MAVEN (www.maventruth.com), a movement to equip the next generation to know truth, pursue goodness and create beauty. She is a regular speaker and has spoken to a wide range of audiences - parents, married couples, youth, moms, women, homeschooling groups and church audiences. Erin is also co-host of MAVEN parent podcast, bringing the Christian worldview and practical application to bear on the challenging task of parenting in the 21st century.

Erin received her bachelor's degree in social science with an emphasis in political science from Biola University. She is also a veteran homeschooling mom of almost 20 years and has been married to her husband, Brett, for 29 years. They 5 children and 3 grandchildren and live in Southern California.

Naomi Goegan lives in Orange County, California with her Canadian husband Chris and they have four “children” 24, 22, 18, & 15. She is half Japanese and spent most of her own childhood overseas. She first learned about Charlotte Mason in 2006 when her oldest daughter was five. She read "For the Children's Sake," and found the ideas resonating deeply. She spent countless hours reading websites, articles, blogs, and everything she could get her hands on to figure out how to 'do' CM Kindergarten with her first child.

Since then she has graduated three of her four children and is now at the tail end of homeschooling. She has run book groups, handicraft fairs, conferences and other events in the SoCal area for over fifteen years in hopes of passing on the education that changed her own family’s life.

Naomi’s home is still full of books, conversation, faith, food, nature, and these days quite a bit of hockey as Naomi spends many hours at the rink watching her youngest play. She continues to create resources to demystify Charlotte Mason’s philosophy of education through her website CharlotteMasonEducation.org

Hi, I'm Elizabeth wife, mother, homemaker, and passionate advocate for Charlotte Mason education. Although I was never homeschooled myself, I fell in love with homeschooling and the beautiful vision it casts for raising children in truth, goodness, and beauty. By God's grace, I've been a Christian for 18 years, and my faith is the foundation of both my home and my approach to education.

I've had the joy of graduating my oldest two children, and every season of homeschooling has deepened my love for learning. You'll often find me with a cup of coffee and a good book in hand, tending my garden, or opening my home to encourage and fellowship with other mothers. My greatest desire is to point women to Christ, encourage them in the sacred work of motherhood, and inspire them to cultivate life-giving homes where both hearts and minds flourish.

WORKSHOPS

The Read-Aloud Mother

by Beth Gregory

The heart of education is teaching children to love the true, the good, and the beautiful. The simplest and most powerful way to do that? Reading aloud in our families.

As a mother reads aloud to her children (of all ages!), she creates a family culture, teaches complex language, exposes children to rich ideas, begins valuable conversations, and cultivates family relationships around shared loves.

Morning

Treasures for the Journey: Hymns, Folksongs, and Poetry for Life

by Lovejoy Ontiveros

Come and consider how hymns, folksongs, and poetry play a role in the science of relations, the culture of the home, and the formation of character throughout the school years and beyond.

The Power of Attention

by Elisha Larson

The power of attention is one of the most important marks of a Charlotte Mason education. Join us to reflect on how to develop and nurture this power.

Involving the Lord in Your Kids' Education

by Jen Taing

In this workshop, we invite you to see through the lens in which Charlotte Mason encouraged mother-teachers to partner with God in educating their children as whole persons. Miss Mason says that education is an atmosphere, a discipline, and a life. With meaningful community, intentionality, vision, trust, and rest, God invites us to partner with Him to disciple our children to love Him and all that is good, true, and beautiful. Our journey of educating our children allows our families to love, honor, and know God more in our pursuit of the knowledge of our God, our selves, and our world.

Afternoon

Loving Discipline in the Home

by Elizabeth Rodriguez

Home is where it all begins! Learn a Christ-centered, Charlotte Mason approach to discipline that cultivates habits, character, and joyful obedience. The atmosphere of the home is more than its surroundings—it is the spirit and relationships within it. A peaceful, loving home, marked by truth, goodness, beauty, and mutual respect provides the foundation for a child's growth and education. Come and be encouraged with practical wisdom for guiding your children.

Narration

by Christiane Wong

Practice the art of narration in this workshop and understand why it is a vital part of your child’s education.

FAQS

Who is this conference for?
This conference is for local moms—whether you are brand new to Charlotte Mason or have been homeschooling for years. It is especially for women who desire to root their homes in God’s truth while embracing the beauty, goodness, and joy found in a Charlotte Mason approach. If your heart longs for encouragement, practical ideas, and Christ-centered fellowship in your motherhood journey, you are warmly welcome here.

How much does it cost?
- Early bird: (July 15 - August 31): $70
- Regular Registration (After August 31): $80

What does the registration fee include?
Registration includes Friday workshop and Friday night session, Saturday workshops and talks; continental breakfast and lunch at the park on Saturday.

Can I bring my children with me?
While we love families and children, because of space limitations, we are only able to welcome nursing infants and ask that you make outside arrangements for childcare. You can definitely expect to see young mamas and strollers at the event.

I'm new to Charlotte Mason. Where do I start?
If you’re new to Charlotte Mason, begin by slowing down and focusing on a few key ideas: short lessons, living books, time outdoors, and the habit of attention. You don’t need to implement everything at once. Start by replacing a few textbooks with well-chosen living books, reading aloud daily, and making room for nature walks and quiet observation.

You can find a fabulous overview of Charlotte Mason's principles and method with more detailed explantions here.

Saturday

event location

American Hungarian Baptist Church
2212 S Fremont Ave Alhambra

Note: Main event will take place in "worship" building.