THE LIBERATION OF EDUCATION
LIVE in San Marcos TX
October 31–November 2, 2025
Embassy Suites Hotel, Conference Center & Spa
San Marcos, TX
Conference Host
JON ENGLAND, LIBERTAS INSTITUTE​
Jon brings a unique trifecta of experience to The Liberation of Education Conference—as a classroom teacher, principal, and policy advocate—grounding his work in both practical insight and visionary reform. After 14 years in the system, he left to help families reclaim control over their children’s education. Jon has been instrumental in advancing the microschool movement in Utah and is becoming a well-known advocate nationally. Jon was the primary drafter and mover of SB 13, the groundbreaking legislation passed by the Utah Legislature last year that protects microschools from local regulation. SB 13 is one of only a few laws of its kind in the country. He’s the founder of the Education Innovators Association, a growing network of microschool leaders. At Libertas Institute, he’s a driving force behind the movement to liberate education from outdated norms, replace one-size-fits-all models with tailored learning, and empower parents and educators to innovate outside traditional bureaucracies. Jon and his wife homeschool their kids and are deeply involved in Utah’s education freedom movement.

3 days – 3 Tracks
30+ Speakers
20+ Exhibitors
Youth Education Event

Erin Valdez

Michael Strong

Leslie Hiner

Alex Newman
Conference Event Schedule
YOUTH EDUCTATION EVENT INFO
Friday
31
9:00 AM WELCOME & ISSUE FRAMING
SCHOOL AND EDUCATION VSÂ Â Â Â LEARNING AND GROWING

JON ENGLAND - LIBERTAS INSTITUTE
9:30 AM MAIN STAGE PANELÂ
So what is learning anyways and
how does it happen?

KEN DANFORD - LIBERATED LEARNERS
10:30AM – 1:00PM EXHIBITS OPEN
10:45 AMÂ BREAKOUT – MICROSCHOOL
Navigating Zoning and Real Estate for Microschools

LYNN SWANSON - STAND TOGETHER
10:45 AM BREAKOUT – HOMESCHOOL
Introduction to Homeschooling

TIFFANY HERNANDEZ - ULTIMATE HOMESCHOOL
10:45 AM BREAKOUT – LEGAL – HOSTED ON THE MAIN STAGE BY EDCHOICE

LESLIE HINER - EDCHOICE
Understanding the Legal Foundations for Ending Compulsory Education
12:00 – 1:00 PM LUNCH
Available on and off site.
1:00 PM MAIN STAGE PANELÂ
Reexamining Education: What was school created for?

ALEX NEWMAN - LIBERTY SENTINEL MEDIA

LESLIE HINER - EDCHOICE
2:15 PMÂ BREAKOUT – MICROSCHOOL
Setting Up for Success

LYNN SWANSON - STAND TOGETHER
2:15 PM BREAKOUT – HOMESCHOOL
Legalities and Funding

LESLIE HINER - EDCHOICE
2:15 PMÂ BREAKOUT – LEGAL – HOSTED BY EDCHOICE

JON ENGLAND - LIBERTAS INSTITUTE

LESLIE HINER - EDCHOICE
The Constitution and the Compulsion Question: Do We Realy Have a Choice?
3:45 PM MAIN STAGE KEYNOTEÂ
The Devastating Consequences of Forced School

MICHAEL STRONG - THE SOCRATIC EXPERIENCE
Saturday
01
9:00 AM WELOME & ISSUE FRAMING
REIMAGINING CHILDHOOD EDUCATION

JON ENGLAND - LIBERTAS INSTITUTE
9:30 AM MAIN STAGE PANEL
Becoming Successful Doing Education Differently: Learning to Think Independently.

JOHN PAPOLA - DAD SAVES AMERICA
10:30AM – 1:00PM EXHIBITS OPEN
10:45 AMÂ BREAKOUT – MICROSCHOOL
Carving Out Your Niche in the Competitive Education Market

SARAH PEVEHOUSE - APOGEE DRIPPING SPRINGES
10:45 AM BREAKOUT – HOMESCHOOL
Choices and Customization

ELAN PAGE - HOMESCHOOL OUR WAY
10:45 AM BREAKOUT – LEGAL – HOSTED BY EDCHOICE

LESLIE HINER - EDCHOICE
How to Fight for Freedom: Advocacy Stratagies to End Compulsory Schooling
12:00 – 1:00 PM LUNCH
Available on & off site.
1:00 PM MAIN STAGE PANEL
Funding the Child Not the System

MANDY DROGIN - NEXT GENERATION TEXAS

ERIN VALDEZ - UNIVERISITY OF AUSTIN

DR ERIN FLYNN - HEDGE SCHOOL COOP
2:15 PM BREAKOUT – MICROSCHOOL
Effective Marketing Strategies for Small Schools

DR ERIN FLYNN - HEDGE SCHOOL COOP
2:15 PM BREAKOUT – HOMESCHOOL
Integrating Unschooling Principles
2:15 PM BREAKOUT – LEGAL – HOSTED BY EDCHOICE

LESLIE HINER - EDCHOICE
When the State Goes TOO Far: Legal Remedies for Educational Coercion
3:45 PM MAIN STAGE PANEL
Organizing a Learning Revolution

COLLEEN HRONCICH - CATO
Sunday
02
9:00 AM WELOME & ISSUE FRAMING
EDUCATION FOR YOUR CHILD ON
YOUR TERMS

JON ENGLAND - LIBERTAS INSTITUTE
9:30 AM MAIN STAGE PANEL
Student Driven Learning

KEN DANFORD - LIBERATED LEARNERS

DEZIREA CONTRERAS -DISCOVER U
10:30AM – 1:00PM EXHIBITS OPEN
1o:45 AM BREAKOUT – MICROSCHOOL
From Vision to Reality

DEZIREA CONTRERAS -DISCOVER U
10:45 AM BREAKOUT – HOMESCHOOL
Socialization and Extracurricular Activities
10:45 AM BREAKOUT – LEGAL – HOSTED BY EDCHOICE

LESLIE HINER - EDCHOICE
Rewriting the Rules: Legal Framework for a Post-Compulsory Future
12:00 – 1:00 PM LUNCH
Available on & off site.
1:00 PM MAIN STAGE PANEL
Traditional Education and Mental Health

MICHAEL STRONG - THE SOCRATIC EXPERIENCE

GEORGE POPHAM - BAY STATE LEARNING CENTER
2:15 PM BREAKOUT – MICROSCHOOL
Sustainable Growth Strategies for Microschools

JOANN NOLTE - ESTEAM LEARNING LABS
2:15 PM BREAKOUT – HOMESCHOOL
Preparing for the Future: High School
and Beyond
2:15 PM BREAKOUT – LEGAL – HOSTED BY EDCHOICE

LESLIE HINER - EDCHOICE
Tools for Liberation: Resources to Empower Families and Learners
3:45 PM MAIN STAGE PANEL
Revolutionizing Education to Save Humanity: A Call for Courage, Clarity, and Constitutional Resolve
