------"Stand Up! Stand Out!"------ Jason’s amazing performance will grab students’ attention with high-energy juggling and comedy while giving them the tools to make a positive difference in any bullying situation. This 60-minute program can easily be adjusted to fit grades K-12. The performance will address topics like: -What is bullying -The roles bystanders play in bullying including; Outsiders, Upstanders, Reinforcers, & Assistants How to become an Upstander and help fellow students -What to do if you are bullied -Jason’s personal struggle with bullying and how he overcame it -What is an Upstander? -An Upstander is someone who sees bullying and intervenes, interrupts or speaks up to create an environment of empathy and acceptance. Based on guidelines from StopBullying.gov and the US Department of Health and Human Services. ------TUNNEL VISION------ “Tunnel Vision” is a complete character education performance that will grab students’ attention with Jason’s amazing performance skills, while showing them the importance of setting goals and making positive choices. Topics include: -Practice, perseverance, and the willingness to make mistakes -Making healthy choices for your mind and body including eating right, exercising, and drug awareness -Getting a good education as a foundation to building their goals and dreams -Kindness to others and anti-bullying From Pre-K to high-school, this show can be tailored to fit any grade level. Jason is also available for: -Career Day Presentations -Health & Fitness based Programs -Character Educational shows -Field Days -Juggling workshops This eye-catching, eye-opening program is an excellent way to reach students from elementary to high school. It has been rated #1 by countless schools, students and PTAs! Jason Tardy has been performing for over 30 years in schools with his motivational shows and has been featured on CBS Sunday Morning, Inside Edition, Disney Cruise Ships, the Atlantis Resort in the Bahamas, and even The White House in Washington DC three times! ------Juggling Workshops------ Jason has taught juggling to thousands of people across the country and abroad. He will teach step-by-step how to get started on this fun and entertaining hobby that has brought him all over the country including the White House in Washington, DC THREE TIMES! These workshops are usually 45 minutes long but can be adjusted to be a quick lesson or a day long or even multi-day residency. Jason supplies all the materials needed including scarves, juggling balls, and other fun circus props. Recommended for grades 4th - 12th but can be adjusted for younger students as well.

Explore Frederic Church’s masterwork, Olana, through a field trip, virtual tour, or professional development! During each program, participants learn more about the art, culture, and history of Olana and the Hudson River Valley through place-based learning activities and lessons. Each offering can be modified to suit classroom and curriculum needs. FIELD TRIPS include a historic house tour and Landscape Walk and cost $10 per student. Add-on art workshops cost an additional $5 per student and include all artmaking materials. Students will leave with a completed work of art. All themes can be tailored to meet specific curriculum goals and student needs. Themes include: 1. "Place as Inspiration" where students learn how Church and his contemporaries were inspired by the Hudson Valley before exploring how they can connect to and advocate for important places in their own lives and communities. 2. "Land as Canvas" where students consider nature as a source of creativity and invention in Olana's designed landscape, collecting natural materials to observe patterns in local flora and fauna. 3. "Sketching as Seeing" where students dive into Frederic Church’s artistic process and experiment with his outdoor sketching (plein air) techniques. 4. "Adventures in Architecture" where students learn more about how global architectural traditions influenced Frederic Church’s design of Olana’s historic house and explore his handling of scale, engineering, and design. VIRTUAL TOURS can be tailored to meet specific curriculum goals and classroom needs and conducted via Zoom or Google Meet, and other platforms by request. All virtual sessions are designed to be 1 hour in length and can be scaled for various age ranges, groups, and audiences. All field trips and virtual tours are for grades PreK-12 and other education groups. $5-$15 per student. FREE for schools in Columbia and Greene Counties. PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT days for teachers and administrators can be booked upon request and include a tour of the historic house and landscape, a workshop session, and use of the Wagon House Education Center. Please contact education@olana.org to learn more.

Over the past 25 years, I’ve had the honor and privilege of inspiring students all over the world to create and write stories. My presentations are approximately 45 to 60 minutes of high energy, immersing students in my story creation process. Using time-lapse video, music, and digital technology, I discuss writing, biology, research, illustration, and editing while addressing how and where I get my ideas. I keep a journal full of ideas and drawings. My stories start from those ideas, and I show the process from idea seed to finished story. I narrate a new or previously published story to the students, engaging them with video and music. I follow with a live computer drawing demonstration, usually projected onto a screen or big TV behind me. In most instances, it’s a simple drawing created from scratch that contains many concepts learned in curricula: insect biology, the difference between a bug and a beetle, primary and opposite colors, symmetry, and horizontal/ vertical placement. It also has just the right touch of humor :-) I airdrop a digital copy to the teachers to take back to their classrooms afterward. I like to take questions from the students at the end of the presentation. I appreciate the efforts of all the librarians, PTOs, and school administrators who have made my visits possible. My presentations have been described as engaging, educational, and a lot of fun.

Middle/High School Why Music Students Excel Motivational Clinic for Band, Youth Orchestra and Chorus (Also appropriate for Theatre Kids.) Program Description This morale and self-esteem building session begins with a ten minute solo performance by Justin. The performance is intentionally virtuosic, leaving no doubt in the student's mind that the artist is a seasoned professional who has experienced success on stage. The objective of this learning experience for students is to reinforce what the music faculty has been stressing all along. That is: the student's musical experience and musical education goes well beyond 'blowing a horn'. This experience is about developing life survival skills. Skills that will help the students to become better adept at problem solving, decision making, enjoying a fulfilling life beginning now and into the future. Justin asks the students to identify skills that they have learned from their musical experience (lessons, practice, or performance) that they have found useful when they are outside the world of music. Skills described by the students typically range from attention to detail and time management, to conflict resolution and ability to accept criticism. At the end of this segment of the session, a list sometimes comprising as many as 24 skills has been articulated by the students. Kolb looks at the students and asks them to seriously contemplate the "skills inventory". Kolb then exclaims, "Look at who you are and what you can do!" He quickly points out that large corporations and even governments invest great amounts of dollars to teach their employees how to acquire these same skills.These sessions are highly informational, uplifting, fun and enhance self esteem. Justin gets along easily with students, parents, staff, and faculty.Willing to tailor sessions to better meet the needs of the students.

Bardavon 1869 Opera House, Inc. (known familiarly as “the Bardavon'') is a New York State nonprofit corporation that owns and operates two historic theaters. The 928-seat Bardavon 1869 Opera House in Poughkeepsie is the oldest continuously operating theater in the state, among the oldest in the country, and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The 1500-seat Ulster Performing Arts Center/Broadway Theater (UPAC) is a National Register property built in Kingston in 1927. UPAC was merged into Bardavon's corporate structure in 2007. The Bardavon consistently presents the highest quality music, dance, theater, and classic films in both its venues. The Bardavon has brought together artists, businesses, and government to produce outdoor events that draw thousands of residents and visitors to the region annually, providing free access to superb art as a source of community pride, urban revitalization, and cultural tourism. The Bardavon Education Program partners with regional schools in offering unique arts-based learning experiences for students and innovative tools for teachers. The continued restoration and preservation of the Bardavon 1869 Opera House and the Ulster Performing Arts Center/Broadway Theater is also a vital aspect of our mission.

This program is an energetic and challenging fun exercise class that is especially designed for Grades Pre K-12 and special needs students. Our programs are infused with mental health exercises to help boost confidence and working together to reach a higher goal. They will learn about the functionality of muscles through our exercise routines and physical activities. Regular exercise can have a profoundly positive impact on depression, anxiety, ADHD, and more. It also relieves stress, improves memory, helps you sleep better, and boosts your overall mood.

Reggie Harris has been affiliated with the John F Kennedy Center’s Partners in Education program for over two decades, offering both multimedia performances for students and communities as well as in-depth workshops for educators at all grade levels. His writing, research, fieldwork and recordings have amassed an amazing repertoire of African American music, blending spirituals and freedom songs, the old with the new. Mentored early on by Dr. Charles Blockson and by using music and storytelling to create captivating performances for audiences of all ages, he has raised awareness of the Underground Railroad in young school audiences, college symposiums and adult concerts. • Arts-in-Education Performance Offerings "Music and the Underground Railroad" (Grades K-12) The Underground Railroad is one of the most important chapters in American History. This engaging, interactive concert of songs, stories and narratives about slavery and the quest for freedom reveals the hope, power and eventually, the triumph that was accomplished and shared by a network of multicultural allies. Through song, story and audience involvement, Music & the Underground Railroad provides an understanding of the secrets and passion of this powerful era. - Curriculum Areas:  Social studies, cultural geography, history, music, storytelling - Study Guide Link:  http://loydartists.com/images/resources/UndergroundRRStudyGuide.pdf - VideoLink: (starts with lower elementary and then changes to upper elementary around the 9:15 mark):  https://youtu.be/yu1Gzic1L14 "How Martin Climbed the Mountain!" (Grades 3-12) Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. had a dream, but he did not dream alone. This program is an interactive multi-media presentation honoring the artists, poets, educators, inventors, explorers, scientists and other important contributors to the life and culture of America and the world, and who influenced and informed the work of Dr. King. Using stories and music, Reggie highlights how the contributions of Frederick Douglass, Harriet Tubman, Benjamin Banneker, Satchel Paige and others helped young Martin become a man who added to the fabric of our nation and who changed the world. - Curriculum Areas:  Social studies, cultural geography, history, music, storytelling - Study Guide Link: https://loydartists.com/images/resources/HowMartinClimbedPerfguide2019.pdf - VideoLink: https://vimeo.com/452762352 • Student Workshops Elementary: "Exploring the Underground Railroad in Song & Story and Classroom Interaction" "The Story of Children’s Impact on the Modern Civil Rights Movement / The Birmingham Children’s March" Middle: "Get On Board the Freedom Train  (Exploring the Underground Railroad)" "Keep Your Eyes On The Prize (AMERICAN EXPERIENCES IN CIVIL RIGHTS)" • Kennedy Center Professional Development for Teachers "Sing to Freedom: Music & Stories of the Underground Railroad" This proven in-service workshop offers a “hands on – classroom ready” historical and musical workshop on the Underground Railroad. Teachers receive valuable tools for building the knowledge base of students through effective art based curriculum connected lessons designed to open classroom study to a more vibrant exploration of history, music and language. Copies of the highly praised CD “Steal Away,” and an extensive teaching guide are included. The workshop explores the history of the Antebellum time period in America and provides information and context on how music and culture have been instrumental throughout history. Learning to sing, write, and update “code songs” based on historical words and phrases along with contemporary composition brings together both the musical and historical material contained in the workshop.

Friends of the Rosamond Gifford Zoo offers many different learning opportunities for all ages and abilities. We can travel to your location within a one-hour radius of the zoo. We can do virtual learning for anyone, anywhere! Onsite at the zoo we offer guided tours, project-based learning projects, professional development for teachers to learn more ways to use the zoo as a living classroom, self-guided educational opportunities, Pre-K literacy series, STEM challenges and immersive classroom experiences. Choose from one of our topics or we can customize a program specifically for your needs.

“In my almost three decades of teaching, I have heard a wide variety of internationally known authors, many of them award recipients. Marc was easily the most engaging and inspiring presenter I have ever heard. He held the rapt attention of the entire auditorium—students and staff alike. He is such a gift!” —Adrienne DeMichele, Taipei American School, Taiwan Marc’s multidisciplinary presentation (adjustable for any age) is a jaw-dropping epic revealing secrets uncovered and mysteries solved while researching nonfiction books on the creators of Superman and Batman—riveting even for those who couldn’t care less about superheroes. The interactive story emphasizes persistence, challenging injustice, and sticking up for oneself and others. His approach motivates even the most reluctant students to read and embrace the adventure of research. The presentation culminates in not one but three big twists that show how, despite the odds, children’s literature—and any one person—can change the world. “Educational value? 5 out of 5 stars. Entertainment value? 5 out of 5 stars. Marc’s amazing story kept an entire room of students and teachers enthralled for an hour with no special effects or tricks. My principal and almost every teacher said this was the best assembly they have ever attended.” —Jamie Harris, librarian, Smalley Elementary, Las Vegas, NV

Discover the enchantment of learning with The Amazing Arthur and “Hocus Pocus, I Can Focus,” a mesmerizing school assembly show blending magic, juggling, yo-yos, and laughter to captivate K-12 audiences. This is a “SHOW not TELL” Shared experience Crafted by a former teacher with over 25 years of full-time presenting, this unique presentation thrives on audience participation and comedy, making every moment unforgettable. At the heart of the show is a powerful message: the joy of doing what you love and the personal growth that comes from practicing a skill. It’s about putting down the screen and picking up a passion—discovering that progress towards a goal is where true happiness lies. With numerous opportunities for audience involvement, students are not just spectators but active participants. This dynamic engagement ensures that the message of discovery and self-improvement is not only heard but experienced. The ultimate goal? To remind students how amazing they are and what they can achieve with time, effort, and a break from digital distractions. It’s an empowering realization that resonates long after the show ends.

1. K-12 Storytelling Workshop 2. Professional Development for Teachers and Staff 3. Train the Teacher in Storytelling Writing on Your Feet is an exciting new storytelling course for students in grades K-12. Developed over a five-year period in partnership with Taconic Hills Elementary School, Writing on Your Feet provides students the opportunity to generate story ideas, teaches concepts such as a story arc and the skills of live storytelling. Writing on Your Feet complements most schools’ personal narrative writing curricula by introducing students to an innovative approach to storytelling that helps them identify what they want to say in their story, as well as how to say it; students first learn to speak their story and then, after doing so, are prepared to write it down. Writing on Your Feet is a highly impactful, program that uniquely scaffolds a school’s writing curriculum by introducing kids to personal narrative development through storytelling. The Ancram Center believes that this kind of creative pedagogy–one that allows for a wide range of learners to develop an essential skill–is key to supporting individual academic attainment. The course is taught over four 45-minute classes with an optional storytelling event to culminate the students’ work. The classes can be completed over two to four weeks depending on a school’s needs. The Ancram Center also offers one-time two-hour versions of this workshop. Professional development workshops and train the teacher sessions are also available.

I offer folk & traditional, Adirondack, and personal stories. My focus tends to be on caring for the world and those human and more-than-human who dwell therein.