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 At Libertas Institute, he’s a driving force behind the movement to liberate education from outdated norms, replace one-size-fits-all models with tailored learning, and empower parents and educators to innovate outside traditional bureaucracies.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
Corey DeAngelis
Connor Boyack
Kerry McDonald
Michael Strong
Kaity Broadbent
Erin Valdez
Conference Event Schedule
YOUTH EDUCTATION EVENT INFO
Friday
31
9:00 AM WELCOME & ISSUE FRAMING
SCHOOL AND EDUCATION VS LEARNING AND GROWING
JON ENGLAND - LIBERTAS INSTITUTE
9:30 AM MAIN STAGE PANEL
So what is learning anyways and
how does it happen?
KAITY BROADBENT - PRENDA
ADRIANE THOMPSON - RAISING KIDS WITH PURPOSE
10:30AM – 1:00PM EXHIBITS OPEN
10:45 AM 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
Understanding the Legal Foundations for Ending Compulsory Education
12:00 – 1:00 PM LUNCH
Available on and off site.
1:00 PM MAIN STAGE PANEL
Reexamining Education: What was school created for?
CONNOR BOYACK - LIBERTAS INSTITUTE
COREY DEANGELIS - EDUCATIONAL FREEDOM INSTITUTE
2:15 PM BREAKOUT – MICROSCHOOL
Setting Up for Success
LYNN SWANSON - STAND TOGETHER
2:15 PM BREAKOUT – HOMESCHOOL
Legalities and Funding
ELAN PAGE - HOMESCHOOL OURWAY
2:15 PM BREAKOUT – LEGAL
The Constitution and the Compulsion Question: Do We Realy Have a Choice?
3:45 PM MAIN STAGE KEYNOTE
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.
KELLY SMITH - PRENDA
JOHN PAPOLA - DAD SAVES AMERICA
10:30AM – 1:00PM EXHIBITS OPEN
10:45 AM BREAKOUT – MICROSCHOOL
Carving Out Your Niche in the Competitive Education Market
10:45 AM BREAKOUT – HOMESCHOOL
Choices and Customization
Elan Page - Homeschool Our Way
10:45 AM BREAKOUT – LEGAL
How to Fight for Freedom: Advocacy Stratagies to End Compulsory Schooling
ERICA SMITH EWING - INSTITUTE FOR JUSTICE
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
KAITY BROADBENT - PRENDA
2:15 PM BREAKOUT – HOMESCHOOL
Integrating Unschooling Principles
2:15 PM BREAKOUT – LEGAL
When the State Goes TOO Far: Legal Remedies for Educational Coercion
ERICA SMITH EWING - INSTITUTE FOR JUSTICE
3:45 PM MAIN STAGE PANEL
Organizing a Learning Revolution
KERRY MCDONALD - FOUNDATION FOR ECONOMIC EDUCATION
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
KERRY MCDONALD - FOUNDATION FOR ECONOMIC EDUCATION
NASIYAH ISRA-UI - HOMESSCHOOL EMPOWERED INC
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
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
DEZIREA CONTRERAS -DISCOVER U
2:15 PM BREAKOUT – HOMESCHOOL
Preparing for the Future: High School
and Beyond
2:15 PM BREAKOUT – LEGAL
Tools for Liberation: Resources to Empower Families and Learners
3:45 PM MAIN STAGE PANEL
Revolutionizing Education to Save Humanity with Courage and Determination
MATT BEAUDREAU - APOGEE
ERICA SMITH EWING - INSTITUTE FOR JUSTICE
2025 SAN MARCOS CONFERENCE SPONSORS
