Sarah Dale is a second-generation homeschooling mom. With her loving husband’s support, she has homeschooled both her high school-age daughter and son for their entire education thus far. She discovered Charlotte Mason when her kids were in first and third grade. Mason’s philosophy of education deeply resonated with everything she knew to be true about the learning process. She is excited to share what she and her children have learned along the way and to encourage everyone on their homeschool journey. 

Danielle Cyrus was a pre-law student when God disrupted her plans and led her to education and she's been neck deep in books ever since. She currently has 4 children and has been married to Grant for 20 years. After becoming a certified teacher, she taught in a variety of educational settings, but never saw one that seemed right for her own children.  She began homeschooling as her oldest reached school age. Along the way, she studied and implemented (and then studied some more) classical and Charlotte Mason methods. Danielle has led various home-education support groups and retreats as well. She is passionate about fostering professional development and supportive community for home-educating parents.

Sarah Dempsen lives with her husband and three daughters outside Yakima, WA, where they delight in a view of Mt. Adams and beautiful pastures on every side of their home, Hillhaven.  As a second generation homeschooler, she discovered Charlotte Mason with her first baby, which has significantly shaped her mothering and education of her three daughters. Along with teaching Forms II and III, she is also a pediatric speech-language pathologist and loves to help families and children thrive.  In the evening hours, she can be found cross-stitching, knitting, or reading from the large stack of books on her nightstand!

Erin is a second generation homeschooler who is married to her best friend for 17 years and raising their 4 boys, ages 9-14. She is a life-long student and has studied to become a doula, a functional movement coach, in craniosacral fascial therapy, and so many other modalities that will support mama's and babies! She also hosts a Charlotte Mason monthly reading group in her home and is the co-director of a CM co-op with almost 25 families! But her biggest honor, privilege and passion is to read good books and spend her days with her amazing boys!

What, exactly, is a living book? Does “nature study” mean school work is done outside? Does “spreading the feast” imply a lot of cooking? And “poetry tea time” keeps popping up on Instagram - is a love of tea a prerequisite?! 

If you’re new to the idea of Charlotte Mason education, these terms might be more than a little confusing - and finding answers isn’t always straightforward. Leyla will help you learn the lingo and answer questions about CM basics at this pre-retreat session so you’ll be ready to dive deep into the principles and practices of a living education. 

Sarah May will walk us through several  "mini-immersions" throughout the weekend, which provide excellent examples of how to teach a variety of subjects such as Shakespeare, Plutarch, composer study, artist study, and more! You'll get inspired, laugh, and practice learning under the great Masters yourself!