Texas Home School Coalition BoardTHSC Board of Directors is comprised of Christian home school leaders from across the state. These are business people, regional leaders, former support group leaders, curriculum suppliers, and activists who give direction to THSC as it promotes home education on behalf of all parents in Texas who choose to teach their children at home.

Tim Lambert

Tim Lambert, president of the Texas Home School Coalition, the largest state advocacy organization for home school families in the country, has led the organization for almost 30 years. Mr. Lambert and his wife Lyndsay home schooled their children.

Stephanie Lambert

Stephanie Lambert was homeschooled before it was officially legal; today three quarters of a million students in Texas are homeschooled in a movement her parents pioneered. Since graduating, she volunteered and staffed in political campaigns and has since dedicated herself to serving Christ through her church community and through her work with Texas families.

From hosting conferences to raising funds for the cause, she directed events and development for the Texas Home School Coalition (THSC) and she now serves as the Executive Director of both THSC and the Family Freedom Project.

Her passion is empowering and encouraging parents to embrace their unique and vital roles as teachers, mentors, and heroes to their own children, our nation’s next generation of leaders.

Ray Ballman

Ray Ballman lives on Providence Ranch outside of Glen Rose, Texas. Married to Cindy for more than 40 years, the Ballmans have seven children. Ray serves as pastor of a small church and as a consultant for Character First! He is a writer, speaker, counselor and rancher. Mr. Ballman is chair of the Board’s Leadership Support Committee and Vice President of the Board.

Mary James

Mary James is the mother of eight children. She served on the board of the Christian Home Education Association of Austin (CHEACT), and toward the end of her tenure as publicity chairperson, she founded an orientation program for new and potential homeschoolers. Smoothing the Way continues to offer training, support, and encouragement to parents who choose to teach their children at home. In August ’02, Ms. James and her Smoothing the Way co-founder, Diane Broadway, were named THSC’s Support Group Leaders of the Year. Having started her homeschooling journey in 1989, she completed that adventure in 2022 when her youngest child graduated. While her tenure as a teacher to her own children has ended, Mrs. James will continue to support the homeschooling community in various capacities.

Kyle Workman

Kyle Workman, a Leon County resident, was a general contractor for 15 years prior to selling his family business to focus his career on construction consulting, both project management and litigation support. He is the Leon County Precinct 3 Commissioner and serves as Chairman of Texans Against High Speed Rail, Inc.

Nathan Macias

Nathan Macias is a retired USAF Lt Col. and small business owner. He has served as a Texas state legislator and is now executive director of the premier youth leadership program, Patriot Academy (PatriotAcademy.com). Nathan and his author and speaker wife, Susan, have homeschooled seven children and welcomed five in-law children and ten grandchildren into the Macias family. They homeschooled in Ohio, California, Florida, Delaware, and Texas, and without a doubt, Texas far exceeds any of those states when it comes to education freedom.

Doug Bartsch

Doug Bartsch lives in the greater Houston area. He and Kim have been married for over 30 years and have two grown children. They homeschooled their children for most of their years in school. Doug was an auditor in public accounting and worked in management at a Fortune 500 company. He is a former Board Member and Chairman of the Spring-Klein Chamber of Commerce. He is the founding pastor of HISplace Family Church and has served his city for over 25 years. Doug is the Chair of the Finance Committee and Treasurer of the Board.

Ray VanNorman

Ray VanNorman has served on the THSC board since 2010, first on the Advisory Committee and then on the Board of Directors. He has served in various positions through the years, and is honored to be a part of THSC and the work they do. Ray retired from Shell Oil Company after 29 years, and currently resides in Houston with his family.

Paul Hastings

Paul Hastings is a homeschool graduate, entrepreneur, and award-winning filmmaker. In 2013, Paul served as the Public Policy Director of the Texas Home School Coalition and launched the THSC Watchmen program, which has shaped the course of homeschool freedoms in Texas for the last decade. He hosts “Compelled” (CompelledPodcast.com), a podcast telling unique stories of God’s work in people’s lives. Paul, his wife, and their children live near Austin, Texas.

Board Emeritus

Donna Harp

Donna Harp is a “retired” home schooling mother of two and a full-time supported employment specialist for ASERT (Austin Supported Employment and Rehabilitation Technology), a program of disability assistance. She served as executive director of HOPE for Texas. She and her husband teach 12- to 15-year-olds in Sunday school. Mrs. Harp has served as a precinct chair and collaborated with Mary James, Lyndsay Lambert, and others in developing the THSC Leadership Manual. Mrs. Harp is a founding member of the Board and serves as chair of the Publications Committee.