Speaker Bio
Jim Mason, since joining HSLDA to lead the litigation team in 2001, has represented homeschooling families in a wide range of challenging situations, and has set precedents that have expanded freedom for the homeschool community. Jim has served as HSLDA’s Vice President of Litigation and Development, in addition to Vice President of HSLDA Action. Jim succeeded Mike Smith as President of HSLDA on August 1, 2022.
Jim and his wife Debbie live in Winchester, Virginia. They have seven children and six grandchildren. The Masons’ children have all graduated from the Mason Academy Homeschool.
Speaker Workshops
Invisible
From Fringe, to Movement, to Enduring Institution: How Christian Homeschooling can Serve and Lead the World Today (Friday Keynote)
Homeschooling in America is freer from restrictions and more accessible than ever. One major reason for this is the advocacy of HSLDA over the past 40 years. However, this year we’ve witnessed yet another wave of persecution. Christian homeschoolers have shown that we are uniquely equipped to serve and lead our culture. As a mature institution, we must do what only followers of Christ can do—draw our neighbors to the gospel that offers guidance and reconciliation. We need to champion homeschooling as an enduring institution—one that continues to shape the character of children by modeling virtue.
Why We Need a Parental Rights Amendment
Homeschooling freedom stands on two essential pillars of freedom: the right of parents to direct the upbringing, education, and care of their children, and the free exercise of religion. Yet only one of these freedoms—religious liberty—is explicitly guaranteed in the United States Constitution, and both freedoms are under attack. Jim recently became president of ParentalRights.org after its founder (and Jim’s mentor) Michael Farris moved to Alliance Defending Freedom in order to focus more exclusively on religious freedom. Jim has taken up the challenge of explicitly including parental rights in the Constitution. HSLDA and ParentalRights.org believe children are best served when parents are empowered to act in their children’s best interests without undue interference from the state. Come and hear about what it takes to change the Constitution—and how you can help.
Note to Self: The Vital Role of Homeschooling Dads
Are you a homeschooling dad like I am? Do you need an occasional booster shot like I do? Come let us reason together, encourage one another, bear each other’s burdens, and leave refreshed to carry out our vital role.
The Prodigal Son, the Forgiving Father, and the Power of Beholding
We homeschooling parents invest a lot of ourselves in our children. When one of them strays, it is a painful, prayerful time. As one who has wandered himself, and one who has shepherded seven children through sometimes challenging times, Jim has a word of encouragement, reconciliation, and hope for walking through troubled times.