OCHEC Convention

Unit Studies that Transcend | Jil Koller

Jil will explain how to systematically create a unit study that captures your kids’ hearts as it stimulates their minds. She will share the value of using unit studies in your homeschool and the ways they can enhance learning across disciples. Participants will develop the spine of their own unit study and share ideas as they vision together. When Jil isn’t homeschooling or helping to run the children’s program at church, she is debating with her fictional characters … and losing. Jil completed her Bachelor of Arts and Education and went on to complete her Masters of Education at York University. She completed her PhD coursework in Literacy Education and was certified as a Reading Specialist. She owned and operated her own reading clinic in Edmonton, conducting Diagnostic Reading assessments for the local school board, and delivering reading remediation tutoring. She has four children (thanks be to God) and has been homeschooling for twelve years. Jil is on staff, helping to run the children’s program at Redeemer City Church, Orillia. Heart of a Bowman, Jil’s debut novel, was released this January. It is the first book in the Vertical Horizon Trilogy, an epic Young Adult adventure fantasy written from a Christian worldview. Book two, Heart of a Spy, is available this December with Heart of a Warrior to follow in 2027. Jil loves literacy, science and everything homeschooling! She is committed to equipping and encouraging homeschool families to experience that joy by sharing helpful science experiments, activities, teaching tips, and strategies for free on her Instagram page – @jil.koller, as well as Facebook, YouTube, and TikTok. Jil lives in Ontario, Canada with her husband and four kids, where they play hockey, camp, mountain bike, swim, and snowboard together, enjoying every opportunity to be outside. It is Jil’s greatest hope that her life and stories would echo the gospel and point readers to Christ.

The Power of Story | Jil Koller

Jil will share the powerful ways stories teach and inspire. Together we’ll examine a classic story arc and apply that to transformed writing and inspired literary analysis. You will go home with teaching resources to share with your children, equipping them for future excellence in story writing and understanding. When Jil isn’t homeschooling or helping to run the children’s program at church, she is debating with her fictional characters … and losing. Jil completed her Bachelor of Arts and Education and went on to complete her Masters of Education at York University. She completed her PhD coursework in Literacy Education and was certified as a Reading Specialist. She owned and operated her own reading clinic in Edmonton, conducting Diagnostic Reading assessments for the local school board, and delivering reading remediation tutoring. She has four children (thanks be to God) and has been homeschooling for twelve years. Jil is on staff, helping to run the children’s program at Redeemer City Church, Orillia. Heart of a Bowman, Jil’s debut novel, was released this January. It is the first book in the Vertical Horizon Trilogy, an epic Young Adult adventure fantasy written from a Christian worldview. Book two, Heart of a Spy, is available this December with Heart of a Warrior to follow in 2027. Jil loves literacy, science and everything homeschooling! She is committed to equipping and encouraging homeschool families to experience that joy by sharing helpful science experiments, activities, teaching tips, and strategies for free on her Instagram page – @jil.koller, as well as Facebook, YouTube, and TikTok. Jil lives in Ontario, Canada with her husband and four kids, where they play hockey, camp, mountain bike, swim, and snowboard together, enjoying every opportunity to be outside. It is Jil’s greatest hope that her life and stories would echo the gospel and point readers to Christ.

Living Water - Forsaking Broken Cisterns and Turning Back to God as Our Source. Jil & Matt Koller

Jil will explore the life-changing teaching in Jeremiah 2, where God challenges His people to forsake the idols they have replaced Him with, the “broken cisterns that hold no water” and instead, drink from His fountain of living water. Jil will discuss how to live this out practically in our homeschool lives as mothers and wives. When Jil isn’t homeschooling or helping to run the children’s program at church, she is debating with her fictional characters … and losing. Jil completed her Bachelor of Arts and Education and went on to complete her Masters of Education at York University. She completed her PhD coursework in Literacy Education and was certified as a Reading Specialist. She owned and operated her own reading clinic in Edmonton, conducting Diagnostic Reading assessments for the local school board, and delivering reading remediation tutoring. She has four children (thanks be to God) and has been homeschooling for twelve years. Jil is on staff, helping to run the children’s program at Redeemer City Church, Orillia. Heart of a Bowman, Jil’s debut novel, was released this January. It is the first book in the Vertical Horizon Trilogy, an epic Young Adult adventure fantasy written from a Christian worldview. Book two, Heart of a Spy, is available this December with Heart of a Warrior to follow in 2027. Jil loves literacy, science and everything homeschooling! She is committed to equipping and encouraging homeschool families to experience that joy by sharing helpful science experiments, activities, teaching tips, and strategies for free on her Instagram page – @jil.koller, as well as Facebook, YouTube, and TikTok. Jil lives in Ontario, Canada with her husband and four kids, where they play hockey, camp, mountain bike, swim, and snowboard together, enjoying every opportunity to be outside. It is Jil’s greatest hope that her life and stories would echo the gospel and point readers to Christ.

Homeschooling - Answering the Call to Obedience | Jil Koller

Jil will walk through Deuteronomy 6 and Matthew 28 casting a clear vision for homeschooling as obedience to God’s call to teach and disciple our children in the Lord. Jil will encourage, equip, and inspire by highlighting God’s mission, curriculum, and methodology as found in his word. Living out God’s call on a daily basis within our homeschool brings the greatest joy and blessing and Jil will remind and restore a first love for discipling our children for His glory. When Jil isn’t homeschooling or helping to run the children’s program at church, she is debating with her fictional characters … and losing. Jil completed her Bachelor of Arts and Education and went on to complete her Masters of Education at York University. She completed her PhD coursework in Literacy Education and was certified as a Reading Specialist. She owned and operated her own reading clinic in Edmonton, conducting Diagnostic Reading assessments for the local school board, and delivering reading remediation tutoring. She has four children (thanks be to God) and has been homeschooling for twelve years. Jil is on staff, helping to run the children’s program at Redeemer City Church, Orillia. Heart of a Bowman, Jil’s debut novel, was released this January. It is the first book in the Vertical Horizon Trilogy, an epic Young Adult adventure fantasy written from a Christian worldview. Book two, Heart of a Spy, is available this December with Heart of a Warrior to follow in 2027. Jil loves literacy, science and everything homeschooling! She is committed to equipping and encouraging homeschool families to experience that joy by sharing helpful science experiments, activities, teaching tips, and strategies for free on her Instagram page – @jil.koller, as well as Facebook, YouTube, and TikTok. Jil lives in Ontario, Canada with her husband and four kids, where they play hockey, camp, mountain bike, swim, and snowboard together, enjoying every opportunity to be outside. It is Jil’s greatest hope that her life and stories would echo the gospel and point readers to Christ.

Raising Resilient Kids | Jil Koller

Everyone seems to be talking about resiliency these days, in parenting and education. Jil will share ways we can foster resiliency in kids during our homeschool program. Focusing on the power of fiction to inspire and provide examples of grit she will share how to use our novel studies and read-aloud times to spark discussions that internalize perseverance, problem-solving, self-sacrifice, and courage. Free teaching tools will be provided so families can do this at home. When Jil isn’t homeschooling or helping to run the children’s program at church, she is debating with her fictional characters … and losing. Jil completed her Bachelor of Arts and Education and went on to complete her Masters of Education at York University. She completed her PhD coursework in Literacy Education and was certified as a Reading Specialist. She owned and operated her own reading clinic in Edmonton, conducting Diagnostic Reading assessments for the local school board, and delivering reading remediation tutoring. She has four children (thanks be to God) and has been homeschooling for twelve years. Jil is on staff, helping to run the children’s program at Redeemer City Church, Orillia. Heart of a Bowman, Jil’s debut novel, was released this January. It is the first book in the Vertical Horizon Trilogy, an epic Young Adult adventure fantasy written from a Christian worldview. Book two, Heart of a Spy, is available this December with Heart of a Warrior to follow in 2027. Jil loves literacy, science and everything homeschooling! She is committed to equipping and encouraging homeschool families to experience that joy by sharing helpful science experiments, activities, teaching tips, and strategies for free on her Instagram page – @jil.koller, as well as Facebook, YouTube, and TikTok. Jil lives in Ontario, Canada with her husband and four kids, where they play hockey, camp, mountain bike, swim, and snowboard together, enjoying every opportunity to be outside. It is Jil’s greatest hope that her life and stories would echo the gospel and point readers to Christ.