Megan Litwin is an award-winning children's book author and former educator with over ten years of classroom experience. She believes that reading is magic, writing is fun, and creativity is contagious! Megan offers a range of programs from curriculum-connected, hands-on classroom workshops centered around poetry or catching ideas to inspirational and interactive assemblies focused on the journey of a book from idea to publication. She also offers professional development workshops on the power of poetry and picture books in the classroom, singing/movement-based storytimes for preschool or kindergarten, and much more. Born and raised in the Capital Region, Megan loves coming back to work with New York schools.

Judd Sunshine – Teaching Artist since 1985 Judd Sunshine began his career as a teaching artist with the renowned school assembly group known as The Hill Brothers. Between 1985 and 2022, The Hill Brothers performed thousands of educational concerts for students all over New York State, Pennsylvania, Ohio, and New Jersey. Following the retirement of his fellow Hill Brothers and Sister Susie Hill, he continues the tradition of presenting quality, theme driven, educational, and entertaining programs as a solo performer. His 5 themed shows are comprised of songs and messages delivered with gentle humor and loads of audience participation: Anti Bully Literacy Character Ed (Respect and responsibility) Wellness (safe choices!) Americana and Erie Canal Songs Judd also offers an Erie Canal Songwriting residency as well as non themed shows just for the pure fun of it (great for the end of the school year or summer programs/camps!)

Emmy Award winning illustrator, author, and television star of PBS’s 1980’s children’s television series “The Secret City With Commander Mark!” And in the 1990’s “The Imagination Station!” – now on Amazon Prime Video! – Mark Kistler, presents Dare To Draw, an outstanding school assembly for grades K-12. Prepare your students to blast-off to the land of imagination with the power of a pencil! This unforgettable, 100% hands-on assembly encourages students of all ages to participate by stretching their imaginations in adding depth and perspective to their drawings. Mark Kistler will inspire your students to “Dream It! Draw It! Do It!” in harnessing the power of their imagination to make their life dreams come true. Students only need a pencil, a piece of paper, and a smiling positive attitude ready to learn how to draw in 3-D!

Portfolio Project Grades: 4 -12 Description: The Portfolio Project is an initiative of NYSATA (New York State Art Teachers Association) that was developed in cooperation with the New York State Education Department. It is an authentic assessment tool that is based on The New York State Learning Standards and provides students with an opportunity to present portfolios of their work at regional adjudication sites. The student portfolios provide evidence of understanding and student learning in the visual arts. Feedback is available for the student, parent, school, and community. The Portfolio Project can provide an authentic source for data on student success in the visual arts. Cost: $15 per student EXAMPLE of an approved BOCES Arts in Ed project: https://sites.google.com/btboces.org/classroom-enrichment-resources/arts-in-education/nysata Student Portfolio requirements vary by grade level: Elementary Level Portfolio (Grades 4-6) · Artist’s Statement · Selection 1 Self-Portrait · Selection 2a Resource-Based Artwork · Selection 2b Resource-Based Artwork · Reflection Written Statement · Selection 3 Student Choice Artwork · Selection 4 Student Choice Artwork · Selection 5 Student Choice Artwork · Component 6 Student Portfolio Presentation Middle Level Portfolio (Grades 7-8) · Artist’s Statement · Selection 1 Self-Portrait · Selection 2a Resource-Based Artwork · Selection 2b Resource-Based Artwork · Reflection Written Statement · Selection 3 Art from Observation · Selection 4 Student Choice Artwork · Selection 5 Student Choice Artwork · Component 6 Student Portfolio Presentation Commencement Level Portfolio (Grade 9 or intro level students) · Artist’s Statement · Selection 1 Self-Portrait · Selection 2a Resource-Based Artwork · Selection 2b Resource-Based Artwork · Reflection Written Statement · Selection 3 Art from Observation · Selection 4 Process Piece · Selection 5 Student Choice Artwork · Selection 6 Student Choice Artwork · Component 7 Student Portfolio Presentation Elective Level Portfolio (Grades 10-12) · Artist’s Statement · Selection 1 Self-Portrait · Selection 2a Resource-Based Artwork · Selection 2b Resource-Based Artwork · Reflection Written Statement · Selection 3 Art from Observation · Selection 4 Process Piece · Selection 5 Exploratory Artwork · Selection 6 Exploratory Artwork · Selection 7 Exploratory Artwork · Component 8 Student Portfolio Presentation Major Sequence Level (Grades 11-12) · Artist’s Statement · Selection 1 Self-Portrait · Selection 2a Resource-Based Artwork · Selection 2b Resource-Based Artwork · Reflection Written Statement · Selection 3 Art from Observation · Selection 4 Process Piece · Selection 5 Focused Artwork · Selection 6 Focused Artwork · Selection 7 Focused Artwork · Selection 8 Focused Artwork · Component 9 Student Portfolio Presentation This program supports the following NYS Learning Standards: Visual Arts — Creating: · Investigate, Plan, Make (generate and conceptualize artistic ideas and work) · Investigate, Consider, Respect, Make (organize and develop artistic ideas and work) · Reflect, Refine, Continue (refine and complete artistic ideas and work) Visual Arts — Presenting · Select, Preserve ( analyze, interpret and select artistic work for presentation) · Curate (develop and refine artistic techniques and work for presentation) · Share, Relate (convey meaning through the presentation of artistic work) Visual Arts — Responding · Perceive, Analyze (perceive and analyze artistic work) · Interpret (interpret intent and meaning in artistic work) · Evaluate (apply criteria to evaluate artistic work) Visual Arts — Connecting · Synthesize (synthesize and relate knowledge and personal experiences to make art) · Interrelate, Extend (relate artistic ideas &works w/ societal, cultural, & historical context) Categories: Art

Corey Rich is an 8-Time Guinness World Record Holder that’s been featured on The Late Show with David Letterman, ESPN First Take, Comcast Sportsnet, Fox News and is widely considered the World’s Greatest Dribbler! Along with performing his amazing talents at NBA Halftime Shows, Corey travels the country inspiring kids with a character education message, The 4Rs for success. Respect, Responsibility, Ready to Learn, and Reading is Power are the Four Principles Corey The Dribbler encourages youth to live by. Corey teaches the importance of treating their Teachers, Parents/Guardians, and Classmates with Respect. They are taught the value of kindness and how to treat others the way they themselves would like to be treated. Self-Respect is also taught and the importance of eating healthy, staying active, having a great attitude, being responsible and ready to learn!

A inspirational/ motivational true story how I am overcoming a Traumatic Brain Injury after a pedestrian car accident. Healing from a Traumatic Brain Injury isn't a straight line, it is a series of loops, setbacks, and hard-won victories. My story is one that shows that not giving up is not only an action, it shows sheer strength of the human spirit.

A magic show with comedy, juggling, audience interaction and featuring Roger Rabbit!

We provide an exciting, motivating assembly that includes a group jump rope showcase, gymnastics and dancing with a jump rope, audience participation, and discussion on healthy lifestyle choices. Students and staff alike will leave with the desire to pick up a jump rope.

What is Opera Saratoga’s Education Program? Each year, Opera Saratoga tours an Opera production to more than fifty public and private schools throughout the greater Capital and lower Adirondack regions of NY. The performances feature charismatic professional artists who love to share their joy of music and theater through the opera, as well as through question and answer sessions where students have the opportunity to meet the artists and learn about the music and what it takes to put on a performance. In a world where the default forms of entertainment for children are primarily television, video games, and the Internet, Opera Saratoga’s In-School Opera program provides youth with an all-too-rare opportunity to experience the visceral thrill of the live performing arts, up close and personal! Opera Saratoga's touring program includes a lesson plan that arrives a month before the performance, a professionally staged opera performance in your school, along with a post-performance discussion between the artists and your students. Schools will also receive an invitation to the dress rehearsal of the performances in Opera Saratoga's summer festival. Contact us now to book your opera performance for March 2025!

New York Times bestselling and award-winning author Kate Messner visits schools and libraries around the world to get kids excited about reading, research, and writing stories of their own. She offers large-group interactive assemblies focusing on the research and writing process behind her award-winning books as well as smaller-group writing workshops with a variety of focuses, from character and story development to mystery writing to researching and writing historical fiction and nonfiction. Kate is also a former middle school ELA teacher who earned National Board Certification in 2006 and provides staff development focused on engaging readers, teaching writing, and getting students excited about research and revision. She can be reached via the contact form on her website www.katemessner.com or by filling out her author appearance request form: https://forms.gle/nePpZY7on36gBozN9

Seneca Park Zoo is your guide to connecting students with nature, wildlife, and the environment. With inquiry-based programs for all grades, you can find the right program for your students, your subject, and your curriculum needs. You can enhance a Zoo visit with an Animal Presentation or Expedition program or to bring the Zoo to you with a ZooMobile outreach program. All programs reflect Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) and New York State P-12 Science Learning Standards through explorations of animal behaviors, biological systems, species diversity, and inter-connectedness.

Yoga promotes inner and outer strength, confidence and self-esteem. Students learn how to move their bodies using yoga poses, connect with their breath using breathing techniques and still their minds using visualization. Mindfulness is the ability to stay present in the moment as it is, to pay attention on purpose. Students learn focusing and calming techniques allowing them to stay present. These practices of self care will certainly serve them throughout their entire lives. Students work at their own pace in a fun, supportive environment. Donna has certifications ERYT 500, RCYT, RPYT, YACEP through Yoga Alliance, teaching for over 25 years and has extensive experience teaching students in schools and camps for over 15 years.