Curve Conference Speakers
We are very excited to host some amazing speakers at the Curve Conference this summer. Stay tuned as more are announced!

Julie Bogart
Julie Bogart is known for her common sense writing, critical thinking and home education advice. Julie’s the creator of the award-winning, innovative online writing program called Brave Writer serving 191 countries and hundreds of thousands of families. Her highly anticipated new book, Help! My Kid Hates Writing, comes out in April 2025. Julie is also the author of the popular books The Brave Learner and Raising Critical Thinkers.

Dr. Michelle Parrinello-Cason
Dr. Michelle Parrinello-Cason is a former college professor turned home educator who now runs
Dayla Learning, a site dedicated to “homeschooling the humanities with humanity.” She offers
secular middle and high school ELA classes in a variety of formats, with a focus on meeting
learners where they are and equipping them with the tools to express themselves with
confidence. She also homeschools her own two delightfully energetic children.

Kendra Andrus
Kendra Andrus is the product of a rich free-range homeschooling education followed by higher education in great books and the liberal arts, and thus is compelled to give her own homeschooled children (PLUS her students at area homeschool tutorials) the same valuable learning experience. She received her B.A. in both music and religion and attended seminary. She is a published author who finds endless inspiration for children’s books in her everyday life with her own six children. She loves learning through books, reading aloud as a family, inspiring young writers, and having deep and meaningful conversations about life that are sparked by stories.

Kirk Denney
Kirk Denney is an award-winning educator, administrator and artist with vast experience in post-
secondary education. He received his Master of Fine Arts degree in Visual Arts from the University of
Florida, with a major emphasis in painting and a minor emphasis in drawing. He also received his first
teaching position there and taught a variety of studio classes.
He is the Director of Education at Nossi College of Art & Design in Nashville, TN.

Senae Smith
Senae has been homeschooling since 2010 and is the Executive Director at WEB Tutorial in Nashville, TN. Senae holds two children’s yoga certifications and has a passion for helping children and teens develop self- awareness, stress management skills, coping skills, and positive self-esteem. Senae strives to provide a safe, supportive, inclusive environment for students, their families, and teachers at WEB. Her hobbies include reading, paddle boarding, hiking, doing anything outdoors, and spending quality time with her husband, two kids, three dogs, and two cats!

Angela Powell
Angela Powell is the President and Co-Founder of Mad Charlie Inc., a dynamic neurodiversity community born from the arduous journey of seeking resources and support for her own family's means to come out of crisis and survival and into a life of growth and joy. Angela's goals are to support individuals and families in a way that works for them by shifting the narrative away from deficit culture to one of neurodiversity culture without undermining or dismissing the hardships and struggles associated with disability. She is committed to fostering a community where self-advocacy thrives and individuals and communities are empowered to embrace strengths and differences.

Judy Scoville
Judy Scoville is a co-founder and owner of Nature Explorers.
She is a Nashville native, and as a child explored the creeks, rivers, hills and hollers of middle and west Tennessee. She began teaching Kindergarten at Linden Waldorf School, and the teaching profession captured her heart and soul. In addition to creating the first outdoor kindergarten program in 2014 at Linden Waldorf School, Judy completed two Waldorf teacher certification programs. In 2021 Judy completed the Tennessee Naturalist certification Program, and continues to volunteer with them, and at Owl’s Hill.

Dr. Lindsey Weeden
Dr. Lindsey Weeden is a passionate educational leader with a deep commitment to technology-driven learning. She serves as the K-5 Principal at Tennessee Online Public School (TOPS), based out of Greeneville City Schools, where she has helped shape the future of online education for over a decade. With a Doctorate in Educational Leadership from East Tennessee State University (ETSU), Lindsey’s experience spans roles as a teacher, academic coach, technology support specialist, and enrollment coordinator, reflecting her versatility and commitment to student success. Dr. Weeden leads TOPS with a virtual and homeschool hybrid approach to learning. Her school offers the best of both worlds, with certified teachers and tuition-free learning, from the comfort of home, with parent support and guidance.

Chelsi Williamson, LMSW
Chelsi Williamson is a trauma specialist in Nashville, TN and a homeschooling mom of three boys. She specializes in treating family based generational trauma, but is also trained in TF-CBT, EMDR, and Brainspotting for children. These can be great modalities to use to assist neurodivergent children that have experienced school based trauma. Sometimes transitioning from public or private schooling to homeschooling can be traumatizing to children due to the negative associations they have created with their learning. Building positive associations regarding learning is imperative to the success of a family's homeschooling journey. We have to remember that if our children did not thrive in a public or private school environment, then they certainly will not thrive in a homeschooling environment that tries to recreate the same processes. Homeschooling allows freedom for both the family and the student to learn on their terms. It is paramount that this is done in a collaborative sense to support the overall success in homeschooling.

Calvin Clayton
Calvin Clayton is the co-founder of Eclipse, an education platform that helps homeschool students earn real college credit—customized to their goals and aptitudes. He started Eclipse out of his own experience navigating school when he was a teenager and wanting something better. Today, he's passionate about helping young people find purpose and direction in a world that’s changing fast. Before starting Eclipse, Calvin worked in private equity and venture capital. He is based in Nashville and could not be more excited to be alive at this point in human history.
Speaker Application
