Top Youth Speakers is proud to offer a roster of over 30 top ranked speakers for youth and professional staff audiences. We provide speaking services for assemblies, workshops, conferences, and professional development or leadership training for all levels of the educational field. From anti-bullying and kindness to resiliency and burnout prevention, we are proud to serve the Arts in Education network with stellar experiences.

Journeys Into American Indian Territory brings an immersive, curriculum-based exploration of Native American cultures directly to schools through a dynamic, hands-on program rooted in cultural anthropology. Designed for grades K–5, this unforgettable experience features a fully assembled on-site museum and four interactive workshops in a single day, covering the traditional lifeways of either the Plains or Eastern Woodlands peoples (Native Americans of NYS). Through authentic artifacts, storytelling, music, dance, and participatory activities, students gain a deeper understanding of Native American history, values, and cultural continuity—all aligned with state learning standards.

At Howe Caverns, our experienced guides will teach your students about: Your students’ amazing learning experience begins when they descend 156 feet below the Earth’s surface on a 90-Minute guided cave tour and step out of the elevator into a six million year old cavern, carved by a subterranean river that continues to sculpt the cave today. During the field trip, they will see countless layers of sedimentary limestone, the floor of an ancient sea, and navigate the 500 foot serpentine passage known as the Winding Way, one of the world’s best examples of underground water erosion. Simply put . . . a field trip to Howe Caverns exposes students to aspects of the natural world they simply can’t experience anywhere else. So whether you’re teaching a classroom of students or homeschooling your own, Howe Caverns is the fun field trip you don’t want your students to miss! Sedimentation Calcification Erosion Geologic evolution Stalagmites and Stalactites Prehistoric seas Continental upheaval The power of time and water

I am a multi-brass-woodwind-instrumentalist, with a lifetime of road experience traveling the world teaching/playing. I love to share any and all of my knowledge with any one who wants to learn and have fun.

We offer a variety of programs that blend expressive arts, mindfulness, and social emotional learning. Our goal is to engage youth of all ages in safe, interactive art activities focused on self-expression and empowerment while promoting mental well-being. All programs can be customized to better meet teacher and student needs, as well as curriculum goals. We incorporate a variety of art processes, techniques, and materials in our lessons. Those include drawing, painting, ceramics and pottery, sculpture, collage, printmaking, creative writing and journaling, STEAM projects, and more! Creative Mindfulness (grades K-5): We have developed a unique Creative Mindfulness curriculum for students in grades K-5. These 45-minute lessons can be taught in isolation or organized into a weekly program that is tailored to meet the needs of your students and strengthen your class community. Each hands-on lesson incorporates breathwork, mindfulness strategies, movement, and an expressive art activity. Many lessons also have a literacy component and are paired with high-quality children’s literature. Participation in our Creative Mindfulness program equips students with the tools to help them be more resilient, improve self-regulation and communication skills, build positive self-esteem and self-confidence, and increase overall happiness. Collaborative Art Projects (grades PK-12): Another program we offer is to come in and work on a collaborative project. This can be within a classroom, a grade level, a school, or a whole district. Collaborative projects help to build self-confidence, establish social cohesion, improve communication skills, and strengthen classroom/school communities. This is a great way to add meaningful art to your school hallways and turn plain walls into interesting, colorful, art-filled spaces that students are proud of. Collaborative art can be posted on walls, hung from ceilings, put in display cases, or painted right onto the walls (inside or outside). YES… we do murals, too! Professional Development (all grades): We also offer Professional Development for teachers and staff at all grade levels. Topics include Social Emotional Learning Through Art, Mindful Arts for the Trauma Informed Classroom, Art & Mindfulness for Teacher Self-Care, and Process Art Experiences for Team Building. In our workshops, we share the research that supports what we do and provide easy to implement practices that will enhance your school community, as well as teacher and student well-being. We teach practical ways to use art and mindfulness for coregulation, to increase feelings of safety and connection, reduce stress, and improve focus. All PD workshops can be customized to meet your school’s needs and available time.

Lucky's Adventure Series are heartwarming stories about my rescue pup, Lucky, and is inspired by the true story of when Lucky was lost for 4 days. Lucky attends the presentations with me. Students will learn life lessons through Lucky's eyes- making new friends, accepting others, and the importance of community, kindness, gratitude, and teamwork. The kids love to meet the star and inspiration of the books and I feel it really helps to further strengthen the messages. (Lucky sits in her stroller during the presentation). I have created presentations that are both engaging and educational that work well for large assemblies or smaller classroom/library settings. In addition to info specifically related to each of my books, I discuss the inspiration for the books, the writing process, and how a picture book is made. We also discuss the themes of kindness and gratitude. Also a reading of the selected book and Q&A.

Programs present the fascinating story of the Shakers, beginning with their arrival to our site in Albany in 1776, under the leadership of a woman named Mother Ann Lee. We follow their impact on local and national history and material culture. Daily life in this community was deeply impacted by the introduction of the nearby Erie Canal which fueled its transformation from an agricultural community to a community that was both agricultural and industrial. The Shakers lived as hard working and mindful innovators. They were strict pacifists who sought religious freedom and relinquished private property within their communities, and embraced human equality regardless of gender or race. Today, the Shakers are probably best known for their human-centered architecture and furniture design. It’s simple, functional, and beautiful. It's easy to get lost in the aesthetic qualities of Shaker objects, so a big part of what we do is bring attention to the human side of these objects, and how they are reflective of Shaker values. Students can learn to weave on a loom, and other hands-on activities are possible.

Hello! I am a teaching artist with a BS in Environmental studies, a Masters in Rehabilitation Counseling, and a Certified Trauma Informed Yoga Instructor. After decades of working in government positions, I have focused my past several years on giving back to my community through volunteering with refugees, schools, libraries, and youth clubs. I have found a passion for sharing my broad knowledge and interests with youth and have built strong relationships with teachers in our community to help support the amazing work you all do every day. I would love to support your classroom too! I bring Hands on activities to your classroom that use a child lead approach and include art, nature, and mindfulness to build on classroom curriculum. While learning is happening we are also building team work, confidence, and a love of learning: Some activity options include -needle felting projects learning about fiber sources and how every day items are made, as well as the role the environment plays in fiber and fiber in the environment. (This can be done for students or for staff development). -live insects and animals in the classroom to learn about life cycles, ecosystems, animal care, farms, etc. Animals include button quail ( terrarium birds) , hatching chicken eggs, rabbits, stick insects. Students learn compassion while also receiving the therapeutic benefits animals provide. Animals can also provide students an opportunity to practice their reading skills by reading to them. Fossil digs in the classroom with sand, fossils, and fossil identification activities -art and craft projects with open ended access to supplies for students to complete projects that drive home classroom curriculum, such as building terrariums, making artwork that the represent ecosystems, life cycles, etc. All activities encourage students sharing their knowledge they have learned in class, working cooperatively, immersing their senses, and working at their own pace, skill level, and in their own style. I love to coordinate with teachers to reach their goals and plan activities around their classrooms unique style, needs, and interests with a goal of instilling a love of learning and building a foundation for emotional skills development .

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.

Deon Butler is a former NFL player, Author and Literacy Advocate.

The NYC based dance crew provides a 30 minute non-stop, interactive showcase of their high energy dance choreography that engages and entertains the students. There is a 15 minute lecture period afterwards which discusses spotting and stopping bullying, respecting yourself and others, taking responsibility for your actions and leading a positive life. Anything is possible with hard work, an education and focusing on what you can bring to this world that no one else can.

A comprehensive year-long classroom program designed to provide students with the skills and knowledge necessary to learn music composition, create original compositions, form music groups, bands, or ensembles, and to promote their work on local and national stage. Through a combination of instrumental training, music theory, composition techniques, and industry tools, students will embark on a journey from individual musicians to collaborative creators, culminating in the production of their original work and how to bring their efforts to market.