THSC 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 is the founder of the Texas Home School Coalition (THSC) nonprofit organization which was built on the belief that raising children is a God-given right and calling. For 35 years, Tim led THSC as president and now serves as chairman of the board, continuing to champion the rights of Texas families.

Since the 1990s, Tim has led efforts to secure key legislative wins for homeschool students, including access to dual credit courses, public school extracurricular activities, PSAT testing, and parent-taught driver’s education, each victory hard-earned through persistent advocacy year after year.

As the movement grew, Tim worked to ensure homeschool graduates were granted equal access to college admission and treated fairly throughout the admissions process. Just as important were his efforts to defeat numerous attempts to impose regulations on homeschooling. One of his favorite quotes, “No man’s life, liberty, or property are safe while the legislature is in session” has become something of a personal motto, shaping his vigilance during every legislative session. Today, Texas is arguably the most homeschool-friendly state in the nation.

Tim’s dedication to the homeschool movement is rooted in his faith in Jesus Christ and his deep conviction in the rights of parents. He holds a B.A. in Political Science from Texas Tech University and has been politically active at both state and national levels, including eight years representing Texas on the Republican National Committee. His work has laid the foundation of freedom Texas homeschoolers enjoy today.
Tim has been married to his wife, Lyndsay, for 52 years. They are the proud parents of four children and four children-in-law, and the delighted grandparents of seven. He has also served faithfully at his home church in Lubbock, Texas, for over 40 years.

Nathan Macias

Nathan Macias was born and raised in San Antonio, TX. He attended Texas A&M University on an Air Force Scholarship, as a member of the Corps of Cadets. In 1982 he earned a BS in Civil Engineering from Texas A&M. Along the way he has earned three Master’s Degrees in Business Administration, Environmental Policy, and Education.

He retired from the USAF as a Lt. Colonel in 2003, where he commanded several units, both overseas and stateside. He commanded an Expeditionary Support Group in the Middle East during Operation Enduring Freedom. During his military service he had 9 assignments in 20 years, as a Civil Engineer Officer including: Tours of Duty in Europe, Central America, and across the United States.

He served for six years as Vice President of a family-owned Marketing Communications Agency. From 2007 to 2009, he served in the Texas House of Representatives. Nathan has owned several businesses along the way, including an Education Service Company. He also served as Executive Director of Patriot Academy, offering the nation’s premier youth leadership training. After serving on the THSC board for eight years, Nathan has served as President of Texas Home School Coalition and Family Freedom Project since 2024.

Nathan and his bride Susan will celebrate 42 years of marriage. They reside in San Antonio, TX, and thank the Lord for seven adult children (all
homeschooled), six in-law children, and 16 grandchildren!

Stephanie Lambert Feierstein

Stephanie Lambert Feierstein was homeschooled before it was officially legal in Texas. Today, an estimated 600,000 students are homeschooled across the state, part of a movement her parents helped pioneer.

After growing up in homeschool ministry with her family, she spent the next 22 years passionately serving Texas families. She directed events and development for the Texas Home School Coalition (THSC), eventually serving as Executive Director for seven years alongside her father.

Together, the Lamberts helped lay a strong foundation of freedom for future generations. By God’s grace and with the steadfast support of the Texas homeschool community, they defeated harmful legislation, expanded educational opportunities for homeschoolers, elected strong advocates, set important legal precedents protecting families, and launched the Family Freedom Project, ensuring Texas would remain the best state in the nation for homeschooling and for raising the next generation of leaders for the glory of God.

For decades, Stephanie’s passion has been empowering and encouraging parents to embrace their unique and vital roles as teachers, mentors, and heroes to their own children—our nation’s future leaders.

Today, she is most excited to be a wife to her husband, Eric. You’re likely to find the two of them traveling, enjoying great food, spoiling their nieces and nephews as the favorite aunt and uncle, or exploring the many adventures the mountains have to offer.

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.

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.

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.

Marissa Jackson

Marissa Jackson lives outside of Houston, TX. She and her husband began homeschooling more than ten years ago after feeling the Lord’s leading to educate their children at home. Her oldest graduated in 2022 and was honored to participate in one of the first THSC Graduation Ceremonies. With three more students still on their homeschool journey, Marissa remains deeply grateful for the opportunity God has given her family to homeschool.

She is actively involved in her local church, serving as VBS Director, working with the GALS Women’s Ministry, and contributing across several other ministry teams. Her family participates in a local homeschool co-op, and she previously served on the board of another homeschool co-op as Friday School Director before relocating.

Service is central to the Jackson family’s life. Marissa has traveled multiple times to Kenya to serve alongside her husband through a ministry that operates a Children’s Home for orphans, continuing their commitment to supporting families both locally and abroad.

Ben Weible

Ben Weible lives in Rockwall with his wife, Mary. They have been married for over 25 years, are active members of LakePointe Church, and have two home-schooled daughters. Ben is a commercial litigator, and before becoming an attorney, he worked in the construction industry. He values the freedom of parents to direct the education and upbringing of their children without government interference and is honored to support THSC’s work on behalf of Texas families.

Christi Covington

Christi Covington A second-generation home educator, Christi Covington was the first intern for THSC before the Watchman program existed. After Christi worked in business journalism and editing, she invested her full attention in the education of her three children and in the continuation of homeschool programs she loves. For almost two decades, she has served and led within the Central Texas homeschool community, staying particularly active in music, athletic and classical education organizations. She also serves alongside her husband in church ministry near Austin, Texas. As a firm believer in parents as first and rightful educators in the lives of their children, Christi is honored to serve THSC, the organization she saw fight so diligently for homeschooling freedom throughout her childhood.

Board Emeriti

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.

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 has served as chair of the Board’s Leadership Support Committee and Vice President of the Board.