Dr. Seann Dikkers is a husband and father of two homeschool graduates who has spent more than thirty years in education—as a teacher, administrator, professor, pastor, curriculum designer, researcher, and author. He understands both the theory of learning and the daily realities of teaching children at home.
His most recent book, Play More: A Case for Play, offers a thoughtful, biblical framework for understanding play not as a distraction, but as a God-designed engine for deep learning.
At a time when education often feels pressured and performance-driven, Seann makes a compelling case for purposeful, joyful formation.
A committed advocate for faith-based education, balanced digital habits, and individualized instruction, Seann serves as executive director of Portals Education, a K–12 curriculum built around project-based—what he calls “playful”—daily lessons that equip parents to lead with confidence.
If you’ve ever wondered whether rigor and joy can coexist in your homeschool, Seann brings research, experience, and practical insight to the conversation.
Tired of worksheets, endless reviews, and tests? Is your child generally sick of school? Have you ever wondered, “Why are we learning this?” It may be time to try an entirely different, very effective approach—Project-Based Learning (PBL). Meet with the lead designer of Portals Project-Based Curriculum to learn more about PBL, the research behind it, and how to get started in a few minutes. This session covers an overview of PBL, what makes PBL effective, how it has helped traditional homeschoolers stand out, and how it can be a part of every subject area.
No child should sit in front of a screen all day. If we can agree on that, then the core question for parents is, “How much, if any, screentime is good for children?” What does research and common sense say about cognitive growth and the strengths and weaknesses of digital tools for learning? If our children are entering workplaces that use computers, how can we equip them over time, give them spiritual armor and ethics around usage, and find balance for a healthy family?
Are you in leadership at your church? What is your church doing to raise and protect families from a schooling culture that is seeking to undermine basic Christian values? It’s time for the church to revive its influence on teaching and learning.
How can church leadership support home education and other options within the same congregation? Can and should the Church be motivating and supporting parents to pull kids out of government schools?
Dr. Dikkers—also Pastor Seann—comes from a unique background as an education researcher, church lead pastor, and a homeschooling parent of two. He’ll be leading this session with a few thoughts, easy tools and resources for churches, and an open conversation for church leaders to discuss how to be a supportive church for home education and other Christian options.
