Eileen Egan Mack is a singer/storyteller who has several music programs, storytelling related programs that honor woman in one-person shows and storytelling programs that draw from folk tales, world cultures, history, and personal stories. This program proposal is for a music program. “Jazzy Ladies-Composers, Lyricists, and Singers” featuring vocalist Eileen Egan Mack backed by a jazz ensemble. Eileen, a retired educator, introduces the audience to the music and lives of women of jazz through brief stories and songs. It honors, among others, Ella Fitzgerald, Peggy Lee, Billie Holiday, Maxine Sullivan, Ethel Waters, Joni Mitchell, Diana Krall, and Marian McPartland. This is a program to recognize women’s place in music and social history and presents jazz standards through singing, program notes and jazz instrumentals.

I offer four topics for my School Assembly Programs. Below are details about my Reading, Dental Hygiene, Ocean Sciences and Social Awareness Programs. 1. Sugar Bug Showdown: Elementary schools that engage my services for the ‘Sugar Bug Showdown‘ performance consistently request my return every third year to do it again. They want to be sure each child in kindergarten through 3rd grade gets the benefit of this unforgettable lesson in good dental hygiene. Your students will learn the right way to brush their teeth (even adults get it wrong!), why dental hygiene is so important, and much more. Dental Hygienists can give the facts, but nobody will motivate or help them remember those facts like Pipsqueak! To ramp up the fun, we demonstrate flossing using kids dressed as teeth. Another segment features caped cavity-defenders in an epic battle against sugar bugs. Here are some additional highlights: How much toothpaste to use How often to brush and proper techniques How cavities & plaque form How “sugar bugs” hurt your teeth Why a healthy diet matters 2. Reading is an Adventure: This program is perfect for PARP (Pick A Reading Partner) or Read Across America incentives. Specific children’s books are referenced & highlighted. My job with this show is to get your students excited about reading. I periodically change the lineup, but the main messages are: Curiosity fuels invention Reading is an adventure Readers are leaders 3. Kindness Quest: This program fits Respect Week and Character Education incentives like a glove! The following key themes are woven throughout: Friendship Kindness Respect Appreciating differences Sharing 4. Waves of Fun: Oceans of Possibilities is a STEM school assembly that sparks an interest in learning about ocean sciences. Students in kindergarten through fifth grade will be motivated to learn about the amazing things that can be found in the ocean. The program is curated to add more advancing educational content at upper grade levels with marine biology, geology, and ecology professions showcased for the 5th grade. We’ll even use your own school library books in the magic performance! Laugh your way through the “silliest, goofiest, wackiest treasure hunt in the world!” Meet a very intelligent seal who does tricks. Of course, Vern (the bird) will make an appearance. This program is unique and so much fun! It is designed for students K-5th grade.

We are a professional baseball team located in the Capital District of New York, more specifically, Troy. Each year we offer multiple Education Day games which are special matinee games aimed to incorporate learning with the game of baseball. We create a unique curriculum that covers things from spending money at the concession stand, geography and location of our opponents, baseball terminology and more. For these games we reach out to all of our local schools and invite them to attend this game which is typically $12 per person and includes admission as well as a lunch. We kick off the game with an Anti-Bullying peace pledge, and the concourse features tables from our sponsors with STEM centric activities. Many schools attend each of these games and look for assistance to ensure they can be a part of it.

Chocolate syrup, baby diapers, and spaghetti probably aren’t the first things you think of when you think about science. But if you’re a student of Supermarket Science, you’ll immediately laugh, recalling the fun science lessons and crazy antics those simple store-bought items can create. You’ll also recall that hard-boiled eggs, applesauce, and a flying clipboard are all a part of the fun of Supermarket Science, a STEM assembly show that will make elementary and middle school students excited about the wonders of science. Nearly a dozen students participate on stage in this interactive and hysterical science school show, all while learning that chemical reactions, air pressure, inertia, and potential and kinetic energy make up a big part of our everyday lives. Supermarket Science is everywhere, even in a place as uninteresting, unexciting and routine as the supermarket!

Ball in the House is an R&B/Soul/Pop a cappella group whose high energy shows have audiences singing, dancing, even beatboxing along! They've performed everywhere - from theaters to performing arts centers, fairs & festivals, to opening for some of the biggest acts in the world, such as The Beach Boys, The Jonas Brothers, The Temptations, Fantasia, Gladys Knight, Lionel Richie, and numerous others. They’ve also become nationally known for their cultural arts programs over 20+ years of educating, entertaining, and inspiring students of all ages with their assemblies, workshops, masterclasses, and collaboration concerts. Here are descriptions of their main cultural arts programs: Totally Vocally This program is jam-packed with music, entertainment, and education!  Through contemporary & classic cover songs and original works, Ball in the House (BitH) will discuss and teach many aspects of music and performance. Students will discover what “a cappella” is and how it works, explore the technology behind a sound system, hear the various voice parts and how they fit together to make harmony and songs, learn how to beatbox and use rhythm, experience the history of a cappella singing from chant through doo wop, get introduced to songwriting and collaboration, and have a chance to ask questions. The program also addresses the teamwork aspect of performing together and how BitH needs to work together as people and as voices. Through fun rapport and stories of their own experiences as students (dealing with peer pressure, etc.), BitH inspires and encourages students to get involved and stay involved in the arts. And Now I See: Race, Racism and American Music Ball in the House’s new show explores African-American music, from Spirituals, Gospel, and Jazz to Soul, Hip-Hop, and R&B. Students will build awareness of where each style came from and why, as well as the cultural/social evolution of these styles and their influences, and connect them to the contemporary styles of today. This is done through stories and musical examples, all done in Ball in the House’s signature a cappella style. The show celebrates the enormous influence of African-American music and musicians, but also delves into how racism affected these musical styles in general and how it affected specific musical artists. There are also interactive moments that teach musical concepts like vocal runs, rhythm and beatboxing.

I offer a wide range of opportunities to connect and give students both a visual and hands on experience through creativity. From mural painting to creating custom garments and being a social justice and arts activist, I use art as a catalyst to not only teach about the correlation of self love through art but to be an aid in leaving a long lasting and positive impact in communities with color.

I offer two one-person plays (one about Langston Hughes the other about Dr. King) and one poetry reading from my award-winning poetry collection Boneyarn, the only book of poems about slavery in New York City, where the oldest and largest slave cemetery in the United States is located. In conjunction with any of the above presentations, I have thematically related writing workshops so students can have their own creative experience to go along with my presentations. Below are descriptions of the three shows. I also give talks about the Harlem Renaissance, Jazz Trumpeter Louis Armstrong, and Tuskegee Airman Harry Stewart Jr, who was part of the first group of African-American military pilots who fought in World War II. Below are descriptions of the Langston Hughes, Dr. King and Boneyarn presentations. DAVID MILLS PRESENTATIONS 1) The Dreamweaver: Langston Hughes Performance and Creative Writing Workshop What better way to celebrate Harlem Renaissance writer Langston Hughes—affectionately known as “Shakespeare in Harlem”—than to have students see a dramatic 45-minute presentation about Langston Hughes. Actor David Mills, (whose Hughes show was voted the #4 young-adult show in the nation by The American Library Association) does just that. He takes students on a theatrical odyssey of Hughes’ life spanning six decades from his humble Missouri childhood to his days living in Harlem as an adult. Mr. Mills also captures Hughes’ world travels and writing of his classic poems, such as “The Negro Speaks of Rivers,” “Mother to Son,” “I, Too,” “Montage of a Dream Deferred” and “Madam Alberta K.” While playing black and white, young, old, and male and female characters, Mr. Mills captures Hughes’ unending love for Harlem—with its foibles and fantasies, bruises and beauty. Mr. Mills show also explores how Hughes wrote nearly 50 plays. A Q&A would follow the presentation. Mr. Mills could also conduct a writing workshop using a Hughes blues poem as a model. 2) Dare to Dream: Dr. King Performance and Creative Writing Workshop In a 45-minute, dramatic presentation for an auditorium of students and teachers, actor David Mills would take the audience on an engaging, historic journey, where they witness Dr. King go from a young preacher (with uncertainties about Civil Rights during the Montgomery Bus Boycott) into the nationally-recognized figure he became during the 1963 March on Washington. Mr. Mills’ stirring performance looks at Dr. King as both the public figure and private man. Be roused, be inspired, be transported by “Dare to Dream,” Mr. Mills’ theatrical tribute to Dr. King. A Q&A would follow the performance. Mr. Mills has worked as a teaching artist and performer for over 20 years in schools, universities, and senior centers. So, in conjunction with the performance Mr. Mills can also lead a 45-minute creative writing workshop, in a smaller classroom setting, using Dr. King’s iconic “Letter from a Birmingham Jail” as a writing prompt. This workshop will get students to write poems in the forms of letters that relate to their lives. Talking to the Bones: Poetry reading about slavery in New York City and Creative Writing Workshop. Award-winning-poet David Mills would read from his collection, Boneyarn, winner of the North American Book Award and the only poetry collection about slavery in New York City, where the oldest and largest slave cemetery in the United States is located. Mr. Mills would conduct a 45-minute reading to an auditorium and use projected visuals to give attendees a sense of 17th-19th century New York. Mr. Mills would discuss the research and writing process that went into creating this groundbreaking book, where he weds little-known colonial history and poetry. What lessons can be learned from coupling these two disciplines. The reading would also be followed by a Q&A. Mr. Mills has worked as a teaching artist and performer for over 20 years in schools. Therefore, in conjunction with the reading, Mr. Mills can lead a 45-minute creative writing workshop that uses a question-and-answer form from his book Boneyarn to get students to write their own poems reflecting on slavery in New York City.

The best way to engage your students is through our captivating BMX assembly. The Freestyle Connection’s school assembly program combines BMX stunts with powerful messages about bicycle safety, striving for excellence, embracing a drug-free healthy lifestyle, and the importance of staying in school. Designed for events like Red Ribbon Week, Field Days, Family Nights, or any occasion calling for a dynamic Character Education message or PBIS School Assembly, this outdoor program is unmatched. Give your school a show they will never forget! The Freestyle Connection BMX school assembly show involves ramp riding on a portable box jump and flatland ground moves for trick variations. Riders will switch on the microphone throughout the show which is choreographed to exciting music and incorporates BMX stunts, high-flying tricks, and humorous skits. This BMX show is roughly 40 minutes long. Indoor backup plan required for inclement weather.

“Stand Up for Your Greatness!” In this inspirational program, Ed Gerety shares with his audience specific strategies, principles, and techniques to be resilient, embrace change, achieve goals, and step up as a leader. The social and emotional needs of students today are more important than ever. Ed delivers a powerful message that connects with the hearts and minds of his audience. He reminds students of the importance of taking care of themselves, taking care of one another, standing up for their greatness, and for the greatness of others. Areas of Focus in this assembly program include: • The power of respect and responsibility • The impact and consequences of our choices and decisions • The issues of bullying and peer pressure • Appreciation for our abilities and the people in our life • The courage to believe in oneself • The power we have to reach out and make a difference Ed speaks in the education industry specifically at middle schools, high schools, colleges, universities, and conferences. His primary audiences include students, teachers, administrators, coaches, parents, and student-athletes. For 30 years Ed has spoken on character education topics that build and support a positive and inclusive school climate. His expertise is in teaching the skills that teens and young adults need to develop to become leaders in school and in life. Ed’s longevity as a paid-professional speaker is rooted in the excellence he brings to the platform, the relationships he forms with his clients, and the results produced in positive outcomes measured by schools. Clients say that there is authenticity and vulnerability in his presentations that distinguishes him from other speakers.

About Anna (check out my website to learn more about me and my art practice): Anna holds her BFA in Printmaking/ Education from The College of Saint Rose and her MFA in Studio Art from The State University of New York at Albany. Anna is a Professionally certified K-12 Visual Arts educator in New York State. Anna currently teaches High School but has experience teaching homeschool, elementary/middle and college level courses. -Example of Services- I'm also interested in working with YOU to create a unique lesson/ workshop/ PD As an artist and educator I'm dedicated to amplifying the importance of art in our lives. My goal is to provide an intimate insight into art making, collaboration and reflection. All workshops can be for any grade and can be tailored to what you are specifically looking for. Artist Talk/ Lecture (Workshop/ PD- Hands on or Virtual): - I share my background and artistic journey focusing on past and current artworks/ concepts. - I critique classwork and provide feedback/ insight Graduate Work Exploration (Workshop/ PD- Hands on or Virtual) -Part of my graduate work I focused on object(s) as portraits of people from my life. Through a personal excavation, I collect and repurpose intimate artifacts that have been preciously stored away. These personal relics and other mass-produced items are combined with the common house fly in portraits of significant people from throughout my life. I examined our obsessive fascinations with objects and their associations with individual people. -Students will listen/ watch a presentation of my work and then pick an object that has significance in their life- students will sketch out this object from memory and at the end we will see which object(s) reappear between students- the link that joins us all together. Printmaking (Workshop/ PD- Hands on): With my extensive background in Printmaking, Bookbinding, and Paper making I can do a variety of hands on workshops for students and staff. -Printing demos of: Relief, Intaglio, Mezzotint, Kitchen Litho, Monoprinting. -Paper Making Demo -Paper Making Workshop -Bookbinding Workshop -Zine Workshop Other: Polymer Clay Jewelry or Cane Building (Workshop/ PD- Hands on) Cyanotype: what is JUNK? (Workshop/ PD- Hands on) Hand Tufting (Rug Making) (Workshop/ PD- Hands on) Mixed Media (Workshop/ PD- Hands on) Portfolio Building/ Critique

We offer pattern drawing and mandala drawing workshops. We learn a little about the background of mandalas, explore patterns and the benefits to drawing patterns; and of course draw patterns and mandalas. During the class everyone will have the opportunity to draw patterns and a mandala, but it is more about the process and less about the finished mandala. Throughout the workshop we will learn (and experience) how drawing patterns and mandalas can reduce stress, alleviate anxiety, improve focus and increase creative thought. We will also work together to create collaborative designs, exploring the impact of everyone contributing their own unique approach toward a common project. Benefits: • The practice of pattern drawing reduces stress and increases focus. • Exploring how to draw complex patterns helps us understand how to break large goals into less overwhelming segments. • Our collaborative activities create a visual demonstration of how we all approach a similar task from different perspectives and how amazing the result is when everyone contributes to a common task or goal. • Becoming more aware of patterns all around us leads us to look at our surroundings with great curiosity and appreciation

The Author Village is a community of forward-thinking and award-winning children's book authors and illustrators and educators available for in-person and virtual school visits, library visits, festivals, conferences panels, workshops, professional development, and special events. Many of our authors are currently scheduling both in-person and virtual author visits for the 2024-2025 school year. For in-person visits (up to three presentations, lunch with a small group of students, and book signing), our authors charge between $2000.00 and $7500.00 (plus travel expenses), depending on the author. For full day virtual visits, our authors charge in the $1500.00-$4500.00 range, depending on the author. For individual 45-50 minute sessions, the authors charge between $750.00 and $2000.00, once again, depending on the author.