The “Silly Nomads” book series is a five-volume collection of children’s literature that target children ages 7- 12. I drew heavily on my own vibrant childhood experiences while growing up on the island of Jamaica. These stories, immersed young readers in a world of imaginative adventures and cultural discovery. Each book within the series encourages creativity and exploration, fostering a love of reading while subtly reinforcing essential life lessons and positive character traits. Beyond the books themselves, I actively engage with students through interactive school readings, aiming to ignite a lifelong passion for literature. The “Silly Nomads” offers a unique opportunity to introduce students to a different culture, enriching their understanding of the world and fostering empathy and appreciation for diverse perspectives. I look forward to sharing my childhood adventures with you and your students.

Playful Engineers Traveling Maker Space STEAM-Powered assemblies, hands-on workshops, whole-school events, and family nights featuring Rube Goldberg Machines, and other chain reactions, plus Artful Mechanisms - student-built toys made using principals of mechanical linkages and crankshafts. Kids learn real-world maker skills with our latchkey programs. We bring our traveling Maker Space including all materials, and we love working with all ages. Our play-based programs help kids learn while having loads of fun! In-person, and virtual programs are available from single programs to 2 week residencies!

Mylisa Larsen is the author of the novels Playing Through the Turnaround and Quagmire Tiarello Couldn’t Be Better and the picture books All of Those Babies, If I Were A Kangaroo, How To Put Your Parents To Bed and Ho Ho Homework. Her author visits are designed to look at some of the underlying assumptions that cause students to decide that they’re not writers and to give students practical and fun ways of building their skills as writers which they can use immediately. We explore techniques for finding stories and getting started, experiment with how different choices we make shape our work, and talk about techniques for revision and for when writing gets hard. We talk about what the job of an author looks like but also how the skills of creative problem-solving which make up the job of a writer apply to many other fields and endeavors. All programs are tailored to the age of the students. Several different programs available are listed at mylisalarsen.com/visits.

Living Wall Fiber Art Community Program The Living Wall is a community based, collaborative art program that focuses on the hands-on art of wet felting. During this program students learn a variety of felting techniques to experience how wool can be sculpted and painted with to create three dimensional forms, patterns and unique fiber creations. Over the course of three sessions, participating classes will learn to wet felt flowers, mushrooms, moths, leaves, stones and vines using different hands on felting techniques. They range from techniques that are purely hand based, meaning no extra tools are needed which are best for grades k-2 and techniques that require felting mats that are provided by myself, the teaching artist, which are best for grades 3 and up. Those felted pieces of flora and fauna are then added to one large piece of background felt to create the look and feel of a living wall. It is an organically textured quilt or 3D sculptural base is made entirely of hand felted wool and will sometimes represent trees, roots and branches. The final piece will be hung at the school in the location of the schools choosing. The Living Wall is meant to be a reminder of how important green spaces are to human beings, how important our environment is and how we need nature in our lives to be healthy and happy. It serves as a lesson in using, understanding and appreciating natural fibers, as well as learning about the sustainability of wool. It is also a symbol of community and the beauty of working together to create one beautiful piece of work. In the same way an ecosystem has many individual elements that work together in harmony to create beautiful natural spaces and systems that benefit us all. The cost of this residency program is $6250 which includes all materials, tools, in class time and the assembly of the final sculpture. There may be an additional cost to the program that will be dependent on the distance to the school and the length of the program to cover travel costs.

Scuba Steve will read and discuss portions of his book(s) with students, there will be video and photos to bring the books to life. Scuba Steve will engage with the students, speaking and answering questions about what inspired him to become a professional scuba diver and environmental conservationist and how he was able to redirect this passion into writing books as well as his writing process. Additional topics will include current issues facing the marine environment, its inhabitants, and what each of us, even children, can do to help. Proceeds from book sales go to his “Read4Reefs” program to help ensure their sustainability and future.

A leading motivational speaker and author, I share stories and insights that have enabled me to triumph over cerebral palsy and hearing loss, framing the program around the importance of love, family, and forgiveness in our lives. Though I was in a wheelchair for four years, and can now walk pretty well, the journey has not been easy. Though physically bullied in school and rather than respond in anger, I chose to forgive and help the bullies! A positive attitude can help us celebrate our unique gifts while kindness and respect can help those gifts be revealed. Each program culminates in a powerful documentary video to demonstrate, by example, that we should always focus on our abilities. As a former special needs kid, I describe how optimism and confidence allows us to share an important life philosophy using three simple words: Yes I Can! Which is precisely the title of my published book, helping teen readers and parents overcome self-doubt when faced with tremendous challenges. DETAILS FOR GRADE SCHOOLS: Shorter 35-minute presentation for grades K-2 (focused on disability awareness, character education, kindness and respect, and the qualities of a superhero) followed by a longer 60-minute presentation for grades 3-5 (focused on anti-bullying, leadership, and resilience). Two assemblies maximum per day, preferably before lunch. To help with drive time and share travel expenses from my New Jersey home, I suggest programs at multiple schools on consecutive days. Please email me to establish initial contact, due to my hearing loss, or leave voicemail on my landline. Also open to an introductory Zoom meeting for a "meet-and-greet" and to answer your questions. ONLINE SPEAKER RESUME: www.JustTheWayYouAre.com/resume

Growing up a reluctant reader himself, it took Eric Luper a long time to learn to love reading and writing. Join Eric on a fun (and sometimes funny) journey through his past challenges as well as the current techniques he uses to write books for Scholastic, Cartoon Network, DC, Disney and others. Students will learn about first drafts, revision, brainstorming and other important techniques… and learn if they have what it takes to be a writer.

Empowered Educator provides professional development that supports the social and emotional well-being of the adults in schools. As arts teachers, you know that SEL is inherent in the work you do. However, the well-being of your program is dependent on the well-being of its educators. Empowered Educator programs give teachers practical strategies for stress relief, time management, energy efficiency, advocacy and emotional intelligence so you can make the massive impact you want to make for your students and your school communities. As a former music teacher, Jen Rafferty tailors Empowered Educator programming to be relevant, accessible, and meaningful for fine arts teachers.

Jared Campbell is an award winning singer/songwriter from Upstate New York and has been traveling the country performing for thousands of people and hundreds of schools over the past 18 years. He’s shared the stage with national acts and had his music featured on TV shows. He’s also been acknowledged by Billboard Magazine as one of the top independent musicians in the northeast. His school presentation is unlike any other assembly you will bring in to your school. He reaches students through the power of music with songs he's written about some of the most crucial elements to living out your life with purpose. His message focuses on overcoming obstacles, bully prevention, respect, leadership and having an amazing outlook on life. His approach in relating to students is unlike any other presenter you will see. He mixes humor with deep emotion and literally takes the listener inside his songs through the use of powerful videos that are projected behind him during the show. Students continually walk into the show saying "I thought this was going to be just another dumb assembly" and have left the show routinely saying "In all four years of high school....this has been the best assembly ever!" - Maria 12th grade. There's plenty of humor as Jared constantly gets compared to the likes of Jack Black and you could say Jared's conducting a "School of Rock" but this school is meant to rock your life! Jared's heart is to reach the young people of today and encourage them to never stop dreaming and continue pushing forward to living out your purpose with passion!

Anita Sanchez is an award-winning author of books on science and nature for young readers. She offers school programs on the challenges and adventures of researching and writing about the natural world.

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.

Have you noticed in your young ladies the same thing Miss Coco Flamenco has noticed – how pre-teen and teen girls shrink inside – and overcompensate outside – while the boys just… don’t? And when there’s a phone camera involved, have you noticed the stark difference between the girls’ self-conscious primping and the boys’ in-your-face pomp? Enter The Flamaze Girls – Preciosa and Danielle – played by Miss Coco Flamenco herself! Watch in flamazement as your young ladies open up to the hilarity/honesty, the grace/guts, the Flamenco moves/freedom grooves. Miss Coco brings her 30 years of stewarding young ladies into adulthood, through her time as professor, department chair, and choreographer. She has seen joyful transformations happen within the space of a single show – countless students have started watching her show with arms crossed and that “fake-bored-girl” face… only to rush to the stage afterwards for a hug and an autograph. And perhaps a blurted-out, “I used to dance, too!” Or “When are you coming back?” Or simply, “Thank you, Miss Coco.” Your young ladies will EMBRACE their betrayer bodies and UNLEASH their sensitive souls within the time-tested safe space created by the ancient, powerful, confident women of Flamenco, and under the careful guidance of Miss Coco Flamenco herself – with the dance moves and spoken word of everyone’s newest friends, Preciosa and Danielle, of course! 7th grade girls get sulky faced – clap-clip-clap-and-stomp, they erase. 8th grade girls get crossed arms – clap-clip-clap-and-stomp, they harm. Un-flamazing girls get nutsy, but! Flamaze girls? Stomp-stomp-stomp get GUTSY!