Interviews and Speaking

Meet Dr. Ray

Brian D. Ray, Ph.D. and others founded the institute in 1990 as a 501(c)3 non-profit research organization, and he is the president of the institute. He holds his Ph.D. in science education from Oregon State University, his M.S. in zoology from Ohio University, and his B.S. in biology from the University of Puget Sound. Dr. Ray has been a middle school and high school classroom teacher in both public and private schools, an undergraduate college professor, and a university professor at the graduate level. He is a leading international expert with regard to homeschool research. Dr. Ray executes and publishes research, speaks to the public, testifies before legislators, and serves as an expert witness in courts.

Meet Dr. Pietersma

Douglas J. Pietersma, Ed.D. is a research associate with the National Home Education Research Institute where he serves as the editor of the Home School Researcher peer-review research journal. He holds his Ed.D. in Christian Education Leadership from Regent university, a Master of Strategic Intelligence (Latin American Studies) from the American Military University, and undergraduate degrees in Bible, Spanish, and Communication. Dr. Pietersma has been a home-education father since 2009, being the active instructor for his two children’s junior high and high school years. He has directed a home education cooperative and instructed home educated students in Spanish, French, English Composition, Speech & Debate, Personal Finance, and Physical Education. He is also an adjunct assistant professor of Education at Regent University, and the Pastor of a rural community church in Wyoming. He frequently writes on home education, speaks at conferences and conventions, conducts virtual seminars, and testifies before legislators.