René Schiltz has been teaching liberal arts courses since 1999 and joined PREP Classes as a teacher in 2023.

 

With a Bachelor of Arts and Master of Fine Arts in theater focusing on acting and directing, René produced and directed various theater productions for Northern Oklahoma College and Community Theaters in Oklahoma and Missouri.  She also taught many of NOC's theatre, music, and communication courses.  When she and her husband made the decision to move to Houston and homeschool their three children in 2005, René began a new journey in education focusing on an in-depth study of classical education and pedagogy.  Homeschooling, teaching in coops, and helping out in homeschool organizations became a joy and she has never looked back!

 

In 2012, the Schiltz family became involved in Speech and Debate and the NCFCA (National Christian Forensics and Communication Association).  René hosted and taught speech camps and began teaching and coaching students to compete in speech events such as Informative and Persuasive speaking, Duo and Open Interpretation, Impromptu Speaking and Apologetics.  With her passion and encouragement to help students set a standard for excellence, many students she coached have advanced to compete at the NCFCA National Championship.  Several have placed in finals including her eldest daughter Makenna in the categories of Biblical Presentation and Illustrated Oratory, and her son Brennan who placed 5th in Team Policy Debate.  Makenna is now at Anderson University, graduating in May of 2023 and Brennan is currently attending Dallas Baptist University and is on the debate team there.  Her youngest, Maggie, is still actively practicing speech and debate as a high school junior.  René is highly involved in speech and debate and currently helps to lead a local club.  

 

René is an advocate for students to use their voice and talent to become a witness for the truth as they write and speak on various topics.  As God calls each of us to be a defender of our faith, René teaches speech communication as a skill that stems from our knowledge of God’s word, our willingness to learn and understand important topics, and to communicate ideas with integrity and grace.  Overcoming the fear of public speaking can also open doors for great conversations and provide opportunities for leadership.  It is her prayer that she will be able to share her love for public speaking with students who will become ambassadors of truth and messengers of hope.