Press Room

Current Press Releases: 

Say What You Mean When Defending the Faith – New homeschool communication and Bible Apologetics course for upper grade levels is released.

Author and communication expert Mrs. JoJo Tabares has created a brand new study to help young Christians answer some of the most difficult questions about their faith in a brand new homeschool study course.  

“’Say What You Mean: Defending the Faith’ trains young Christians to address common misconceptions and answer everyday questions about the Christian faith in grace.  It is set up to be user friendly for homeschoolers but, as with all my studies, can easily be used by non-homeschoolers as a supplemental study outside of traditional school,” she says. 

This semester study features weekly, easy-to-teach, lessons complete with an introduction to the weekly topic, a common question or misconception that people have about Christianity, a Bible quote relating to that study, research tips, places to record their notes and research, and communication tips for handling the people who generally ask this question.  At the beginning of each lesson, students are required to give a presentation on their findings to answer the question.  These methods provide opportunities to review the skills learned and to receive feedback about what was handled skillfully and what areas need improvement throughout the study.

“This is the most important e-book study that I have created to date.  There is so much misinformation out there about the Christian faith and Christians need to be able to answer objections and questions about Christianity with sensitivity and respect to the listener,” says Mrs. Tabares.  She acknowledges that different settings and circumstances warrant different responses.  “This e-book will examine a variety of potential circumstances and provide the opportunity for the student to role play,” she comments.

“As Christians, we are often painted as judgmental, ignorant, and silly for our beliefs by the media,” she says.  This situation is further exacerbated by the skewed portrayal of Christians in society and the media, often showing only the extremist ‘Christian’ viewpoint instead of everyday Christians quietly going about their daily lives in obedience to God’s word.  “As Christians, we need to have the skills to answer people’s questions, and defend our faith with grace and confidence, and it needs to start with our young people,” comments Mrs. Tabares.

‘Say What You Mean: Defending the Faith’ may be purchased in e-book or CD Rom format at www.artofeloquence.com.  Students will have a chance to further internalize and solidify these concepts beginning February 27, 2007 when Mrs. Tabares teaches a teleclass on the e-book.

Say What You Mean’ Convention Coming in February – The second annual ‘Say What You Mean’ virtual convention focuses on defending the faith.

Join host JoJo Tabares, of Art of Eloquence, along with co-host Cindy Powers, independent representative of Bright Minds: The Critical Thinking Company ~ At Home, for the second annual online convention February 1 - 3, 2007.  "The Lord spoke to my heart two years ago and asked me to make these fun educational seminars and workshops available to all for free.  It is my honor to bring communication training to the Christian community in a unique and fun way!" says Mrs. Tabares.  This free three day virtual event can be attended from the comfort of your own home and will focus on defending the faith.   

On Thursday, February 1^st the convention focuses on parents and will feature a variety of audio seminars.  Guest speaker Mrs. Gena Suarez, publisher of the Old School House Magazine, will present ‘Faith and the History of Public School’, while featured speakers Mrs. JoJo Tabares will discuss marital communication skills and Mrs. Powers will be discussing the importance of critical thinking as part of homeschool teaching.  Question and answer teleseminars, interactive online chat workshops, and contests for parents and small business owners will also be featured.

Day two of the convention on Friday, February 2^nd is for the kids.  Guest speaker Mrs. Jeannie Fulbright, Apologia Elementary Science text author, will talk about ‘The Science of the Bible’.  Afterwards featured speaker JoJo Tabares will challenge children by asking them if they are setting a good Christian example during her audio seminar.  Kids’ Day will also include fun internet games, contests, workshops, a question and answer chat, and prizes.

Saturday, February 3^rd is the final day of the virtual convention and is entitled ‘Faith Day’.  Attendees will be in for a special treat when they hear guest speaker Dr. Jay Wile, founder and author of ‘Apologia Science’, speak live on the topic of evolution vs. creation.  Later in the day JoJo Tabares will teach on communication skills and Cindy Powers will deliver a lesson on critical thinking in an entertaining way via an audio seminar teaching on faith.  There will also be question and answer teleseminars, interactive workshops and prayer chats, contests, prizes and more.

This event is hosted by Art of Eloquence and Independent Representative Cindy Powers of Bright Minds: The Critical Thinking Company ~ At Home, and is coordinated by Marie Ynami of MommyFest.  Attendees will also enjoy the music of guest singer Jade Sholty.  To pre-register free for the second annual Say What You Mean Convention February 1-3, 2007, visit www.saywhatyoumeanconvention.com and complete the registration form at the top of the page now.  The first 50 registrants will receive a CD-rom with samples, freebies, coupons and free articles from the event sponsors.

Original Press Release: 

CHANGING THE WORLD, ONE EFFECTIVE COMMUNICATOR AT A TIME

How a Simple Request Sparked this Homeschool Mother to Make a Difference

CHINO, CA—It all started when one homeschooling mother asked another to teach a communication class. Joanne (JoJo) Tabares had a degree in Speech Communication and a passion for helping others learn to effectively communicate—so, of course, she happily agreed. The problem came when Tabares began looking for a good curriculum.

Not wanting to settle for simply speech and debate, JoJo says, "I was searching for a study that also taught things like job interview skills, Christian witnessing, phone etiquette and how to relate well to others. But most of all I wanted it to be fun! I couldn’t find anything that met the criteria I was looking for, so I began writing my own."

Before she had finished writing her first study, the phone was ringing off the hook. Some parents even camped outside her door, all so they could get their hands on the curriculum as soon as it came back from the printer! Thus began Art of Eloquence in October 2002, a unique company Tabares began as a result of the incredible response generated by a curriculum—a curriculum that was initially written simply to serve only for a small in-home class.

Art of Eloquence may have begun as a means to serve the local homeschool community, but its vision is much broader today. JoJo says, "Studies show that effective communicators are happier, have deeper relationships, are better students, are more successful and even make more money than their less eloquent counterparts." Written from a warm and enthusiastic perspective, JoJo Tabares’ curricula teaches effective communication skills to the entire Christian community, no longer homeschoolers only.

What was it that caused Tabares to take interest in this field? "I moved around a LOT as a kid. Anytime my father's company needed a volunteer to move across country, my dad’s hand went up. I used to think it was horrible—always being the new kid on the block." By the time JoJo was in junior high, she felt that she was, "A shy, timid little mouse who would never be able to step into a room of strangers and have a good time. I thought that I would always be a geek!"

How did this all change? With a knowing smile, Tabares says that the day she learned communication skills was when everything began to be different. Today, anyone would be hard-pressed to believe that JoJo Tabares was once a shy young girl. Comfortable in a crowd, her enthusiasm and joy spill over into everything she does. It's no wonder she has a passion to share those same liberating communication principles with others.

Not only an accomplished author, JoJo is now a sought-after speaker for homeschooling, Christian, and business events as well. And it's no wonder. The reviews Art of Eloquence products have received are outstanding, and with delightful courses for preschoolers through adults, even some recommended by Learning Disabled Specialists, it's clear that a solid communication grounding is beneficial for people in all stages of life. As one happy curriculum purchaser gushed, "This is not simply a public speaking course, but it is structured to teach total communication. I wish I had known some of these skills when I was in school!"

Tabares may have started "accidentally," but it's no accident where she's headed now. Author of three books that have sold worldwide, Art of Eloquence is soon to be releasing eight new studies. This Christian company founder is certainly not to be accused of hiding her light. Applauded by many grateful schools, families and individuals, JoJo Tabares is letting it shine.

For more information about JoJo Tabares and Art of Eloquence, visit www.artofeloquence.com online.