Michael Donnelly
Staff Attorney
Director of International Relations
Mike serves HSLDA as director of international affairs and as staff attorney for member affairs in the states of Colorado, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, New Hampshire, Ohio, West Virginia, Wyoming, and the District of Columbia. As director of international affairs he coordinates HSLDA’s support of homeschooling freedom all over the world. Mike is also an adjunct professor of government at Patrick Henry College where he teaches constitutional law. He received a juris doctorate from the Boston University School of Law with honors as a Paul J. Liacos Scholar. He is a member of the bars of New Hampshire, Massachusetts, West Virginia, the District of Columbia, and the United States Supreme Court.
Mike’s previous experience includes combat service during the first Persian Gulf War as a United States Army cavalry officer, private legal practice and the founding of a nationally ranked internet marketing firm. Mike is an internationally published writer and frequent conference and media spokesperson on the subjects of homeschooling, educational freedom, parental and human rights. His most recent publications include the first-ever chapter on homeschooling included in the four-volume global education policy series Balancing Freedom, Autonomy, and Accountability in Education, Religious Freedom in Education, appearing in the International Journal of Religious Freedom and Creature of the State, appearing in Homeschooling in America and Europe: A Litmus Test of Democracy. He and his wife homeschool their seven children. (Twitter) mchlpdnnlly
(FB) facebook.com/mpdonnelly2
| Title: | Elites to Homeschoolers: “You’re Next!” | | Length: | 50 minutes | | Type: | General Session, Support Group Leaders, Workshop | | Topic: | Legal, Legislative, Political | | Audience: | Parents, Support Group Leaders, Veteran Homeschoolers | | Description: | Increasing numbers of intellectual elites are calling for dramatic regulation and even eradication of private and home education. Although the U.S. Supreme Court has recognized parents’ rights to direct the education and upbringing of their children, American homeschoolers need to prepare to confront growing resistance to freedom in education—especially homeschooling. Come hear Mike Donnelly, HSLDA attorney, director of international relations and homeschooling father, as he examines this growing threat and what American homeschoolers need to do to meet it. |
| Title: | The Keys to the Kids | | Length: | 45-60 minutes | | Type: | General Session, Support Group Leaders, Workshop | | Topic: | Encouragement, History, Motivational, Parenting, Political | | Audience: | All, New Homeschoolers, Parents, Support Group Leaders, Veteran Homeschoolers | | Description: | Who really has the best interests of children at heart, parents or the state?
There is a growing chorus of voices insisting that children don’t belong to parents. Children, they say, belong to the “community.” In order for democracy to survive, these voices claim, the government must require that children be taught approved values such as “tolerance.” Some of these voices say that children should only learn in government-approved schools or from government-approved standards and curriculums. Lawmakers are being prompted by these voices and misguided groups both in states and at the federal government level to hand over the keys to the kids. These forces want to dictate what children eat, what kinds of doctors they can and can’t see, and what they are taught! Skirmishes are being fought over this issue now—are you prepared?. HSLDA Director of International Affairs Michael Donnelly and homeschooling father of seven will address these serious issues and tie together events both current and historic, providing perspective needed to fully comprehend currents and trends in a timeless struggle for control. |
| Title: | A Hitlerian Legacy? Germany’s Treatment of Homeschooling | | Length: | 45–55 minutes | | Type: | General Session | | Topic: | Education, History, Legislative | | Audience: | All | | Description: | German homeschoolers are threatened with fines, jail and worse. If homeschooling is a human right, why does a civilized nation treat homeschoolers like this? What are parallel societies and why are German judges and policy makers so afraid of them? Is the German homeschool experience the edge of night for America? Could this pernicious German philosophy make its way across the Atlantic to America and re—impose the difficult early days of American homeschooling? What is HSLDA doing to support positive change for our brother and sister homeschoolers in Germany, and what can you do to help? Come hear HSLDA staff attorney for Germany and homeschooling father Michael Donnelly answer these important questions. |
| Title: | Creature of the State? | | Length: | 45–60 minutes | | Type: | General Session, Keynote, Q & A, Support Group Leaders, Workshop | | Topic: | Education, Encouragement, History, Legal, Motivational | | Audience: | All, Fathers, Mothers, New Homeschoolers, Parents | | Description: | In 1925 the U.S. Supreme Court said children are not mere creatures of the state. The 1945 United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights recognizes that parents have the “prior right” to decide what kind of education their children will have. Is homeschooling a “human right” of the first order? HSLDA Staff Attorney, homeschooling father of seven, and Director of International Affairs Michael Donnelly explores this question and shares a presentation he delivered at the world’s largest human rights conference on the philosophy of law and social philosophy. In this talk, Donnelly examines philosophies on the relationship between the family and the state and looks at how human rights doctrine is applied globally towards homeschooling. |
| Title: | Defending the Freedom to Homeschool | | Length: | 45 minutes | | Type: | General Session | | Topic: | History, Legal, Legislative, Motivational, Political | | Audience: | All | | Description: | Homeschooling is legal in all 50 states, but forces are still at work to capture our children’s minds, bodies, and souls. These forces seek to erode our current freedoms and our will to preserve them. What can we do to ensure that the blessings and freedom we have to homeschool are secured for posterity? Come hear HSLDA attorney and homeschooling father Michael Donnelly answer that question. |
| Title: | Faith of Our Founders | | Length: | 45–60 minutes | | Type: | General Session, Keynote, Q & A, Support Group Leaders, Workshop | | Topic: | Education, History, Motivational, Political | | Audience: | All | | Description: | In 1775 Patrick Henry said “give me liberty or give me death.” You know that the founders of our country were mostly Christian men who understood that liberty meant Christian liberty. But how much a part of our founding was the faith of our founders? John Hancock and John Adams’ battle cry was one of “No King but King Jesus.” While secular historians want to minimize the impact of the founders’ faith, the truth is that 93% of the founders were members of Christian churches. A knowledge of our history is critical if we are to ever recover our nation’s heritage. Michael Donnelly is an HSLDA Attorney and an Adjunct Professor at Patrick Henry College where he teaches constitutional law. Listen as he unearths the truth and import of the Faith of Our Founders. |
| Title: | For You, Dad—Leading Your Homeschool Family | | Length: | 45 minutes | | Type: | General Session, Workshop | | Topic: | Encouragement, Marriage, Motivational, Parenting | | Audience: | Fathers | | Description: | In most homeschooling families, Mom carries the biggest burden. How can Dad pull a share of the load when he is gone all day earning a living? There are so many other good works dads are asked to do—how can we influence our families as God calls us to do? Come listen to HSLDA attorney and homeschooling father Michael Donnelly, as he discusses Kingdom priorities in homeschooling and practical ideas to balance the increasing demands on your time and resources. |
| Title: | Forging Ahead—Apprenticeships in the 21st Century | | Length: | 45–55 minutes | | Type: | General Session, Workshop | | Topic: | Education, Motivational, Parenting, Teens | | Audience: | All | | Description: | College? Homeschoolers may be better prepared for it than many other college—bound teens, but that doesn’t mean they should automatically get sucked into the “college conveyor belt.” But if not college, what do we do with our bright, well—educated, well—socialized homeschooled students? And where do we find resources and apprenticeships to help guide homeschoolers through this process of vocational preparation and calling? Get practical tips and insightful advice in this talk by HSLDA attorney and homeschooling father Michael Donnelly. |
| Title: | Go Home and Love your Family! | | Length: | 45–60 minutes | | Type: | General Session, Support Group Leaders, Workshop | | Topic: | Encouragement, History, Parenting | | Audience: | All, Fathers, Mothers, New Homeschoolers, Parents | | Description: | Someone asked Mother Theresa what society could do to promote world peace, and she responded: “Go home and love your family!” Homeschooling is really about putting love in action, but does homeschooling really promote world peace? Parents who homeschool their children produce outstanding citizens, leaders and future parents. Isn’t this the essence of laying a foundation for world peace? HSLDA attorney and homeschooling father of seven Michael Donnelly shares why loving your family through homeschooling really does promote world peace, but more importantly, allows parents to fulfill their most fundamental and sacred duty. |
| Title: | Grades and Graduation—Do These Belong in a Homeschool? | | Length: | 45–60 minutes | | Type: | General Session, Keynote, Q & A, Support Group Leaders, Workshop | | Topic: | Education, Encouragement, Motivational, Parenting, Why Homeschool | | Audience: | All, Fathers, Mothers, New Homeschoolers, Parents | | Description: | Grades and graduation may be part of school, but should they be part of your school? Are we limiting ourselves by thinking in these terms? Should we really care about grades in a classroom of one? Or is there another way to think about academic, spiritual, and emotional progress? HSLDA Staff Attorney and homeschooling father of seven explores the freedom and flexibility homeschooling offers you and your children. |
| Title: | Hey Dad, Let’s Get Involved! | | Length: | 45–60 minutes | | Type: | General Session, Keynote, Q & A, Support Group Leaders, Workshop | | Topic: | Encouragement, Marriage, Motivational, Parenting | | Audience: | Fathers, New Homeschoolers | | Description: | Are you sitting on the sideline in your homeschool, Dad? Your wife needs you to get involved. But with so many demands in today’s world how can a busy Dad do it? How can you be involved in homeschooling? Teaching a class? Casting a vision? Leading devotions? These are important, but in order to find time to do these things, you have to manage your schedule and carefully prioritize your time. HSLDA Staff Attorney and homeschooling father of seven Michael Donnelly shares how you can do all of this. |
| Title: | If It’s Broke, Fix it! | | Length: | 45–60 minutes | | Type: | General Session, Keynote, Q & A, Support Group Leaders, Workshop | | Topic: | Child Protective Services, Encouragement, Motivational, Parenting | | Audience: | All, Fathers, Mothers, New Homeschoolers, Parents | | Description: | Homeschooling families face many challenges. Financial, emotional, and physical demands put significant strain on our relationships and our families. The homeschooling community is not immune to the problems facing our society, including broken marriages and broken children. But, it’s never too late to try to fix something that’s broken. It may be easier to try to hide the pain than to confront essential elements required for “fixing” these complex and serious issues. HSLDA Staff Attorney and homeschooling father of seven Michael Donnelly was raised in a broken home and will explore the necessary ingredients to helping homeschooling families stay connected and whole amidst the pressures and stresses of life. |
| Title: | International Homeschooling—Why Should American Homeschoolers Care what Happens over There? | | Length: | 45–60 minutes | | Type: | General Session, Keynote, Q & A, Support Group Leaders, Workshop | | Topic: | Education, Encouragement, History, Motivational, Political | | Audience: | All, New Homeschoolers, Parents | | Description: | Homeschooling is a growing global movement, but homeschooling parents overseas face the mounting pressure and challenges similar to those American homeschoolers experienced 30 years ago: social services investigations, fines, and criminal prosecution. In a world where ideas travel at the speed of light, should American homeschoolers be concerned about the plight of homeschoolers in other countries? Should we, and how can we help? Can what happens “over there” really affect homeschooling “over here”? HSLDA Staff Attorney, Director for International Affairs and homeschooling father of seven Michael Donnelly has traveled the world supporting homeschooling freedom. He will tell you why American homeschoolers should care what happens “over there” and what can be done to help. |
| Title: | Is Today’s Military Right for my Child? | | Length: | 50 minutes | | Type: | General Session, Support Group Leaders, Workshop | | Topic: | Parenting, Spiritual, Teens | | Audience: | Fathers, Mothers, Parents, Teens | | Description: | Serving in the United States Military is generally considered patriotic and an honorable profession. Is it still? Changes in society are reflected in the military. How can this impact a parents view of service in the military today? What is involved in serving in the military and how should parents mentor their children in viewing service in today’s military? Michael Donnelly is an HSLDA attorney and homeschooling father of seven who served as a platoon leader in combat during Desert Storm with the U.S. Army’s Third Armored Cavalry Regiment. He will discuss practical and philosophical issues about serving in today’s military. Come with questions and be prepared to be challenged in your thinking. |
| Title: | Juggling on a Tightrope | | Length: | 50 minutes | | Type: | General Session, Workshop | | Topic: | Encouragement, Marriage, Motivational, Parenting, Spiritual | | Audience: | Fathers, New Homeschoolers, Parents | | Description: | Today’s father has precious few waking hours that are spent going in countless directions to address seemingly great causes—not least of which is family. Our children have only one earthly father and our wives but one husband. How can we best invest our most precious resource time? And where should we be investing it for eternal value? How can we properly lead our families and serve God in an increasingly demanding and busy world of sports, music, drama, church, school, support groups, homeschool co—ops, extended family responsibilities, and ministry programs? How do we know when to say yes, and more important, when to say no? Must we choose between competing priorities to be effective stewards? Come hear thoughts on answering these questions from Mike Donnelly as he shares insights gained from his experiences as a father of six and as an army officer, entrepreneur, company executive and attorney for the Home School Legal Defense Association. |
| Title: | Knock, Knock! There’s a Truant Officer or Social Worker at the Door—What Are You Going to Do? | | Length: | 45 minutes | | Type: | General Session | | Topic: | History, Legal, Legislative, Motivational, Political | | Audience: | All | | Description: | There is no need to fear if you understand your rights, the law and how to manage the interaction with these government workers. They have a job to do—and so do you! Come hear HSLDA attorney and homeschooling father Michael Donnelly discuss the most frequent issues homeschoolers face when dealing with school superintendents, principals, and social workers. In this practical talk, Mike will discuss how to homeschool legally in your state and how to handle encounters with civic authorities |
| Title: | Parents’ Rights—A Crisis Is Coming | | Length: | 45 minutes | | Type: | General Session | | Topic: | Education, Encouragement, History, Legal, Legislative, Lobbying, Motivational, Parenting, Political, Why Homeschool | | Audience: | All | | Description: | In 1923, the United States Supreme Court ruled that parents have the fundamental right to direct the education and upbringing of their children. So why are parental rights suddenly endangered? Come hear HSLDA attorney and homeschooling father Michael Donnelly discuss the next biggest threat to homeschool freedom and what you can do about it. |
| Title: | Singled Out! | | Length: | 50 minutes | | Type: | General Session, Support Group Leaders, Workshop | | Topic: | Encouragement, Motivational, Parenting, Political | | Audience: | Fathers, Mothers | | Description: | Homeschooling can be challenging even when Mom and Dad are pulling together with a common vision. How is it possible for single parents to manage these demands of providing for, protecting and educating a homeschooling family? Mike Donnelly was raised in a single—parent home and will share his research and thoughts on how hundreds of single moms and even dads are able to keep homeschooling on their own. |
| Title: | The Compelling Case for Home Education | | Length: | 45 minutes | | Type: | General Session | | Topic: | Why Homeschool | | Audience: | All, Fathers, Mothers, New Homeschoolers, Parents, Support Group Leaders, Veteran Homeschoolers | | Description: | Are you curious about home education, but not sure if you’re ready to make the commitment? Do you have a friend or family member saying you’re crazy if you homeschool? Join HSLDA Staff Attorney and homeschooling father of seven Mike Donnelly for “The Compelling Case for Home Education” and see why homeschooling may be the right choice for you. Mike will help you understand the basics, show how homeschooled students often outshine their public school peers, and shed light on the myths surrounding homeschooling. |
If you would like to schedule Mike Donnelly as a speaker for your upcoming event, please contact him at 540—338—5600. 
(Twitter) mchlpdnnlly
(FB) facebook.com/mpdonnelly2 |
