It’s been a great start to the year! Thank you for everyone’s enthusiasm and help as we’ve worked through everything that comes with a new school year. This is the first newsletter of the year and it’s full of things you don’t want to miss!
The Silent Discussion article by ToriAnn Perkey
Homecoming Dance
Speech and Debate Tournaments
Moot Court Competition
Civil Discourse in America Seminar
Parent Alumni Tournament
Healthy Summer and Healthy School Year
Summer Seminars
Tangle Podcast
Mock Trial Camp
Alumni Corner
Invitation to Co-ops
Looking for Substitutes
Looking for Project Assistant
Apathetic Teens article from our General Director, Sam Martineau.
In the Classroom
By ToriAnn Perkey, Executive Director and English Director
The Silent Discussion
The room is silent except for the soft rustle of paper as each student reaches to the center to deposit the paper they’ve been writing on and retrieves a new one.
And yet … a rowdy discussion is taking place. Every student is participating. Every student is sharing their thoughts. Everyone is “talking,” from the extreme extrovert to the tentative introvert.
Studies have shown that a student’s learning in the class can be connected to how often they talk and that introverts, students who tend to prefer inward reflection before speaking, benefit from having time to formulate their thoughts in writing before sharing out loud.
Enter the “silent” discussion. In our Beginning English class, we start this year out learning about and writing poetry. To help every student get more comfortable and involved, I read a short, but complex, poem out loud and then invite the students to sit in a circle. Each student is invited to write something they notice, something they like (or don’t like), or a question they have on the poem.
Then they put their “discussion” into the center of the room and grab another student’s “discussion,” where they continue the conversation with another question or comment. Papers fly in and out of the circle, over and over.
Then, students retrieve their own paper and take turns sharing what stands out to them from their written discussion.
Every time, my introverted students are just as likely to raise their hand as their extroverted peers. And that learning opportunity has been equalized across the classroom.
Coming Up
Homecoming Dance
The IEProgram is thrilled to be hosting its first ever Homecoming Dance “Falling for You” on Saturday, October 11 from 7:00-10:00 at Warehouse 22 in Syracuse. High school teens 14+ are invited. Students do not need to be taking a class with the IEProgram to participate. Tickets are $10 presale and $15 at the door. Get your tickets here Homecoming Tickets.
BYU Classic Speech & Debate Tournament
The first Speech and Debate Tournament of the year is coming up on Saturday, October 25 from 8:30-5:00 at BYU. All parents and alumni are invited to judge and can Register to Judge here. Students can Register for BYU Classic Tournament here.
November Speech & Debate Tournament
The November Speech and Debate Tournament will be on Saturday, November 15 at Weber State. Registration opens on October 27 for competitors and judges. Hope to see you all there!
Moot Court Competition
The annual IEProgram Moot Court competition is coming up and registration is open now. Moot Court Competition Registration
Date: Saturday, November 1, from 9:00am to 4:00pm
Location: 9383 N Canyon Wash Dr, Eagle Mountain, Utah or online
Case: Kedesh College & A.R.H. v. United States
What is moot court? Moot Court is a simulated Supreme Court competition where students play the role of attorneys and argue their side of a fictional case against another team before a panel of judges. This year’s case asks the Court to answer questions about freedom of religion, equal protection of the laws, immigration, and more!
Who can compete? Any student registered for an IEProgram class is eligible to compete.
Does this count as a debate tournament? Yes, it does!
Judges: We are also looking for judges for both the brief-writing competition and the oral arguments! Brief judging can be completed at home and on the judges’ own time. Oral arguments must be judged in real-time on November 1, but can be done remotely if needed. We prefer that the judges have some kind of legal background/experience. Experience competing in mock trial, working as a paralegal, or even a hobby studying the Constitution and a basic understanding of the court system is sufficient. Judging fulfills your volunteer commitment for one student. Register to Judge Moot Court Here.
Civil Discourse in America Seminar
We are excited to announce our Fall Seminar Series on Civil Discourse in America. Seminar sessions will be in October and November across the Wasatch Front, as well as online. Dates, times, and locations for this free seminar will be announced in upcoming emails.
Parent Alumni Tournament – Save the Date!
Save the date for the Parent Alumni Tournament on Saturday, December 27, from 12:00 pm to 5:00 pm followed by an optional dinner. Parents and alumni – this is a tournament just for you! Elite students and student with parents in the tournament are invited to be judges. Events and details will be coming in November.
Healthy Summer and Healthy School Year
Healthy Summer was a big success! Thank you to all the teachers who planned activities and everyone who participated! Healthy Summer included everything from groups of teens and parents hiking trails along the Wasatch Front, summer workouts and games at parks, costumed Tolkien parties to all kinds of movie nights and discussions.
We are continuing Healthy Summer with Healthy School Year. Activities are free and any teens are welcome to join in the activities. You don’t have to currently be taking IEProgram classes, but you do need to register for the Healthy School Year activities.
Current Healthy School Year Activities
Weekly Workouts with Sam Martineau Friday mornings from 8:00-9:30 in West Bountiful
Weekly Workouts with Sam Martineau Tuesday afternoons from 3:30-5:30 in Lehi
Gaga ball, Games and Smores with Shannon Wilkinson Friday, October 24 from 7-10 in Roy
Amazing Grace Film with Sam Tuesday, October 21 at 7:00 in Woods Cross (Space is limited.)
Recent Happenings
Constitutional Crisis and
Understanding Apathetic Teens Seminars
This summer, our Constitution Studies faculty invited parents to join us for a seminar titled “What is a Constitutional Crisis?: How to Approach Civic Education Through Hope.” Meeting in two in-person locations and one online session, we explored how to recognize the signs of a true constitutional crisis and how to respond in ways that build practical optimism rather than despair. Parents came away with tools for fostering effective civic education in their own homes, cultivating a hopeful and thoughtful approach to this important subject.
Over the summer, hundreds of parents participated in in person and online seminars to learn about apathy and teens from Sam Martineau. You can watch his presentation at the end of this newsletter.
The seminars were a big success. We will continue to offer free seminars throughout the year on a variety of topics. Watch your email and this newsletter for future seminars.
Tangle Podcast Interview
IEProgram student, “Haley,” was interviewed for a special edition of the Tangle podcast to share her thoughts about being at the UVU shooting. It was published Sunday, September 14. It’s a beautiful interview in which she is articulate, thoughtful, and nuanced as she describes her experience and her ways of processing the events. We’re so proud of her for reaching out and sharing her experience. You can listen to the interview here: Tangle Podcast Episode
FYI – Tangle is a podcast we encourage our Advanced English students to listen to. It shares political news from both the right and left perspective and then an independent review of the information.
Freedom’s Light Festival Speaker
Melanie Smithson was invited to speak at the Freedom’s Light Festival in Bountiful – an annual celebration of the anniversary of the ratification of our Constitution. She was the only youth speaker and spoke about civil discourse and political polarization in American Politics. Way to go Melanie!
Mock Trial Camp
Mock Trial Camp was held August 5-7 in Eagle Mountain. It was an intense three days of prepping for and then participating in up to four different trials.Congratulations to all of our Mock Trial Camp Participants. We are so proud of what our students were able to accomplish as they argued the case of Faber vs. Beaumont. Mock Trial Camp Photos 2025
Team and individual results are as follows:
Top Teams
1st Place- Team Reese Romney – Aaron Tingey, Benjamin Stoddard, Samuel Andelin Avi Shea, Charles Checketts
2nd Place- Team Daphne Ferguson – Sophia Shields, Max Luke, Ivan Jacobson, Emma Graul, Lucas Kelley
3rd Place- Team Melanie Smithson – Eli Jacobson, Clark Romney, Quinton May, Colton Cope, Leonardo Guzman
4th Place – Team Betsy Shea – Marianne Buick, Andrea Allen, Mary Andelin, Cole Vorhees, Rex Rowley
Top Students
- Reese Romney
- Melanie Smithson
- Justin Hatch
- Natalie Hatch
- Mary Andelin
- Sophia Shields
- Daphne Ferguson
- Anna Stoddard
- Samuel Andelin
- Besty Shea
- Emma Graul
- Samuel Toney
- Maya Orozco
- Quinton May
- Newell Salt
- Ivan Jacobson
- Michael Jones
- Avielle Shea
- Lincoln Henage
- Leah Marchant
- Rhoswyn Kelly
- Eli Jacobson
- Marianne Buck
- Aaron Tingey
A big thank you to our team captains: Anna Stoddard, Sterling Mann, Betsy Shea, Daphne Ferguson, Maya Orozco, Melanie Smithson, Reese Romney, and Justin Hatch! Also great job to our staff including Sam Martineau, Mary Stoddard, Mia Sharpe, Liesel May, Tess Thomas, Ramona Anderson, MaryJane Norris, and Jessica Martineau who did the food.
Alumni Corner
We’d like to start spotlighting our alumni! We’d love to know what you’re doing, celebrate your accomplishments, or hear how IEProgram classes have helped you as you’ve moved forward in life! You’re invited to contribute to our Alumni Corner here: Alumni Corner Submissions
We’ll share your contributions in future newsletters.
Invitation to Co-ops
Each year, the IEProgram holds multiple dances, seminars, and extracurricular events. These events provide a space for students and parents to socialize with the greater homeschool community and have a good time. Your co-op is invited! To receive information about these events for your co-op, fill out this Co-op Invitation Form.
Looking for Substitute Teachers
The IEProgram is looking for a few more people willing to be substitute teachers for classes. Classes may be any week day at a variety of times. Substitute teachers are paid $20 per hour.
We are looking for mature, responsible adults who like being with students. Knowledge or experience in a particular subject may be helpful, but isn’t necessary. Lesson plans will be provided by teachers.
If you are interested in substitute teaching this year, please fill out the following Substitute Form.
Looking for Project Assistant
The IEProgram is looking for a part-time Project Assistant to provide project support for all areas of the organization including marketing, admin, individual programs, accounting, events or other areas as needs arise. Computer skills needed and graphic design experience is a plus.
We are especially interested in candidates who have been part of the IEProgram – graduates looking for a part-time gig that works around their schedule. We are also looking for someone without a short time horizon to work. Approximately 5-10 hours per week. $15/hour. Apply here: Employment Application
Freedom Festival Winner
Announced previously, but now we have a picture! Congratulations to Andrew Tanner who took 1st Place in the Freedom Festival Speech Contest and spoke at the Freedom Festival Patriotic Service in Provo! You can watch his speech and all the other winning speeches here https://www.freedomfestival.org/event/speech-contest/
Insights in Education: Apathetic Teens
By Sam Martineau, General Director
If you’ve taught teens, then you have probably shared in the frustrating experience of working with a teen who is sabotaging their experience and growth with three simple words: “I don’t care.” Helping teens develop a personal culture that seeks for growth and eschews apathy is a key skill for teachers and for parents. To that point, over the summer I created a seminar titled “Understanding Apathetic Teens” to share insight on the issue that I’ve gained over years of research and experience. For my article this month, I’ll simply invite you to watch the recorded version of the seminar if that subject is one from which you believe you would benefit.