Planting Seeds of Joy: Cultivating Environmental Stewardship and Personal Growth Program Description: Cody Wasial, Americas Joy Catalyst, brings Wee Plant Joy's mission to schools through an engaging program that inspires environmental stewardship and personal growth. Small Group Version (15-30 students): Eco-Mindfulness: Guided sound and movement exercises to connect with nature. Seed Planting: Hands-on activity representing personal growth and conservation. Conservation Storytelling: Sharing inspiring Wee Plant Joy project stories. Vision Board Creation: Students design boards reflecting environmental goals. Eco-Action Planning: Brainstorming sessions for local and global environmental initiatives. Assembly Option (Larger groups): Interactive Presentation: Engaging talk on environmental stewardship and personal growth. Group Eco-Mindfulness: Brief guided exercise for the whole assembly. Conservation Storytelling: Sharing impactful Wee Plant Joy stories. Collective Vision: Creating a school-wide environmental vision board. Call to Action: Inspiring students to participate in eco-friendly initiatives and create a campaign alongside Wee Plant JOY efforts . Educational Impact This interactive presentation aims to inspire students to actively engage in conservation efforts while promoting personal growth and enhancing environmental awareness. By combining storytelling, creativity, and actionable planning, students will leave feeling empowered and motivated to make a positive impact on the world around them. This overview captures the essence of your interactive presentation while ensuring clarity and engagement for students. Both versions aim to inspire active participation . The program can be tailored to specific classroom needs and age groups. For older students (9-12), Wee Plant Joy will offer eco-tours, providing hands-on experience with ongoing conservation projects. NOTE: We are building are new Wee Plant Joy Website as we speak which will also have an interactive component that kids can watch and participate in and with as well engage in social media campaigns and follow the journey of Wee Plant Joy and know they are making a difference.

Medley Music Access & Inclusion provides accessible and adaptive music education resources including professional development, classroom activities, product recommendations and more. Medley's mission: We specialize in the true access and inclusion of disabled students with high support needs in school-based music classes. We welcome all learners into the essential human experience of creating and loving music with others. Presenters Jessica Corwin (music educator) and Jen Kass (board certified music therapist) are both neurodivergent/disabled educators who provide professional development to music teachers and other teachers about accommodation, meaningful inclusion, joyful music-making, and social connection, especially in the elementary general music classroom. Although based in Western Massachusetts, they are able to travel and present remotely. Medley's signature one-day workshop Intro to Adaptive Music Education covers topics including anti-ableist language, neurodivergence-affirming practices, current research on autism, learning differences and corresponding teaching strategies, and the imperative of listening to neurodivergent voices. In all of their PD sessions, participants engage in a variety of sample classroom activities that can be replicated in their own classrooms. Music teachers of all student age groups and specialties, and teachers of other arts have reported that Medley's approach combining theory & philosophy, and practical, hands-on classroom strategies and activities creates some of the most valuable and relevant PD they've ever participated in.

I’m a children's book illustrator who offers virtual and in-person presentations for students in grades K-12. I enjoy sharing my illustration process, inspiration, and joy for picture book illustration with students. My presentations feature a slideshow with images about my artistic process and life. Presentation topics and formats are flexible and can be tailored to the needs of each school. My goal is to inspire students to believe in their abilities, develop their own definition of creativity, and think creatively to solve challenges. If you’d like to learn more about school visits with Marianna, please contact ms@mariannasmith.com.

Yo Re Mi provides arts-integrated social-emotional learning experiences that combine live music, movement, and mindfulness to support student regulation, engagement, and overall learning readiness. Through interactive classes, assemblies, residencies, and workshops, students develop emotional awareness, self-expression, and focus using developmentally aligned, play-based practices. These experiences are designed to be engaging and accessible for all learners while reinforcing core SEL competencies and arts-in-education standards. What sets Yo Re Mi apart is its connection to a broader, school-wide approach. Our work not only supports students in the moment, but also introduces a shared language and set of strategies that can be used throughout the school day, helping classrooms run more smoothly and supporting consistent Tier 1 social-emotional learning practices. In addition to direct student programming, Yo Re Mi offers educator certification and professional development, equipping school staff with practical, classroom-ready tools to sustain and integrate these strategies into daily routines over time.

Mission Be, Inc. is a New York–based not-for-profit that has scaled nationally since 2013, bringing mindfulness-based social-emotional learning (SEL) programs to schools, organizations, and communities. To date, Mission Be has reached over 350,000 individuals across 322 schools and organizations in 28 states and 11 nations. Our curriculum is rooted in neuroscience and aligned with the Next Generation Standards, NYS SEL Standards, the NYS Mental Health Standard, the Dignity for All Students Act (DASA), Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS), and the NYS Culturally Responsive-Sustaining Framework (CR-S). Through workshops, classroom programs, retreats, and assemblies for students, teachers, parents, and faculty, Mission Be provides practical tools with the intention to: Reduce Stress – improve self-regulation and coping skills Increase Focus – strengthen attention and concentration Build Emotional Intelligence – reduce impulsiveness, improve empathy Develop Resilience – enhance capacity to face challenges Promote Well-being – foster healthier school climates and engagement Program Highlights Mission Be offers a variety of engaging, evidence-based programs for students, faculty, and parents, including: Mindfulness in the Classroom (Pre-K–12): 1–16 week curricula with weekly lessons (40 minutes each) taught by Mission Be staff or trained educators. Faculty Meetings & Workshops: Interactive sessions with breathing practices, SEL games, movement, and practical classroom strategies. Professional Development for Educators & Administrators: One-hour to multi-day trainings on neuroscience, stress regulation, and classroom integration. Mindful Mentoring Program for Educators: Six-hour training to strengthen teacher well-being and equip staff with mindfulness tools to support students. Student Leadership Retreats: Full- or half-day trainings empowering students to become “Mindful Mentors” and peer leaders. Parent Workshops: 75-minute sessions that provide families with mindfulness tools to support children’s well-being at home. Headquartered in Islip, NY, Mission Be serves districts across Long Island and beyond, with the ability to travel to regions throughout New York State and nationally. Learn more: www.missionbe.org/events Contact: Carin Winter, CEO — 631-513-6151 | ceo@missionbe.org

The NYSATA Legislative Exhibit is the flagship event for Youth Art Month and NYSATA's largest public display of student artwork in a government building. The exhibit is co-sponsored by New York State United Teachers (NYSUT). Founded in 1990, this student art exhibit is held in the Legislative Office Building in Albany each Spring, providing an exciting opportunity for students and their families to connect with their legislators. A committee of dedicated art educator volunteers makes all of the arrangements and notifies legislators of participants in their electoral districts. Legislators from across the state are invited to recognize the artistic accomplishments of their aspiring artist constituents at a reception for students, parents and teachers held on the 3rd Floor Terrace Level of the Legislative Office Building. Families may pre-arrange a meet-and-greet with the Assemblyman and/or Senator from their local district, which may include a photo session, office tour and/or written correspondences with their Legislators. The reception concludes with an interactive and inspiring ceremony. With the return of artwork, each student entrant receives a Certificate of Participation from NYSATA and a copy of the Legislative Student Art Exhibit brochure. Registration is $25 per teacher for up to two works from grades K-12. District Members receive a reduced registration fee, applied automatically upon log in.

MUSH with Noggin, the Sled Dog! Have you ever wondered… What does it feel like to ride the runners behind a team of dogs, steering a loaded sled through mountainous terrain, crossing the vast Alaskan tundra, hugging the shoreline of the great Bering Sea? What does it take to care for a team of Alaskan huskies? Could my dog be a sled dog, too? Musher, Karen Land, will answer these questions and more when she and Noggin, the Alaskan husky, visit (your school/library name, date, time). Dog mushing, a traditional mode of arctic transportation, is a unique subject perfect for every classroom. From STEM (climate change and environmental studies) to literature (Gary Paulsen and Jack London) to the arts and physical education, the options for exploration are endless. Land is an Outdoors columnist, songwriter, public speaker, and three-time participant in the 1000-mile Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race as well as many other sprint and endurance races in Alaska, Canada, Montana, Idaho, Wyoming, and Maine. Since 2000, Land has traveled to nearly every state with her dog sled, mushing gear, Arctic clothing, and beloved dogs, giving over a thousand school and public library presentations. “Tethered to my string of dogs, trusty leaders find the trail, together we are free…” —from “Into the Northern Lights,” lyrics by Karen Land

Imagine a world where math isn’t just a classroom subject, but an exciting, laugh-filled adventure. Welcome to the Mathical Mystery Tour, a brand new, innovative assembly show designed to turn math into an action-packed experience for kids. We’re not just talking about numbers and equations; we’re blending puzzles, stunts, games, and magic tricks to make math come alive, right before their eyes. On stage, 12 students become the stars as they dive into stunts, solve puzzles, and perform tricks that reinforce their classroom lessons. This isn’t just entertainment; it’s a powerful K-5 educational tool aligned with the elementary school math curriculum. Each activity is crafted to teach math terminology, concepts, and proven theories in a way that’s engaging and unforgettable. The Mathical Mystery Tour is more than an elementary assembly show; it’s a revolution in how we teach math. By intertwining education with excitement, we’re inspiring a generation to see the magic in math. This is guaranteed to ignite curiosity and foster a love for learning in every student! Learning, Fun and Laughter – All in One! School assemblies are designed to provide students with an opportunity to learn something new, get inspired and be entertained. Without a doubt, it’s no easy task to capture the attention of a whole school, but The Mathical Mystery Tour does it with remarkable ease. If you’re looking for a school assembly show that will bring students together and leave them with tears of laughter, then look no further than this amazing assembly show!

Growing Minds - A Living Classroom Experience with Cornell Cooperative Extension *This program is open to K-12. This program aims to bridge the gap between classroom-based science lessons and real-life experiences on a working farm and acres of conserved natural habitat. Our living classroom has proven instrumental in enhancing environmental and agricultural education for youth, providing a unique and irreplaceable hands-on learning experience. Through this partnership, Cornell Cooperative will facilitate a series of public school field trips to Pitney Meadows, offering students hands-on activities and farm tours. Students can expect to witness and interact with agricultural practices as the seasons change. Cornell Cooperative Extension is available to develop pre-field trip materials to prepare students for their visit, providing context and building excitement. Their team will also create post-field trip enrichment materials for in-classroom reflection, connecting on-farm experiences to academic lessons. Pitney Meadows Field Trip Fees $500 for a 3-hour Field Trip (up to 30 students) and $12.00 for each additional student. For booking information for a Growing Minds Field Trip, please email us at contact@pitneymeadows.org

The BPO is proud to present educational programming that is developed with the assistance of music teachers and curriculum writers. The BPO Music for Youth Concert series offers educational concerts during the school day to introduce students to the best orchestral repertoire, with a focus on music learning concepts being taught in the classroom, and active participation through interactive program elements for students in Grades 1-8. Full-length (2 hour) BPO concerts on Friday mornings give students in Grades 7-12 a chance to hear complete pieces of repertoire in a casual atmosphere. To view all Music for Youth concert opportunities, please visit education.bpo.org. BPO Teaching Artists bring unique arts engagement into your classroom through the dynamism of the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra's professional musicians. Presentations feature interactive music learning opportunities and authentic connections between music and other areas of learning, with an emphasis on artistic excellence and can meet varied classroom learning objectives. Your BPO understands the importance of arts engagement in developing creative thinkers and innovators who value learning over a lifetime. The BPO offers Classroom Programs that explore arts learning through movement activities, active listening and authentic connections between music and other areas of study. These musician-developed programs bring a unique perspective and a wealth of beautiful music to concepts you are teaching in your classroom. Programs can be adapted for your needs and specific age groups, Are you looking for a guest artist to work in-depth with your instrumental music students on repertoire, music fundamentals, instrument-specific techniques, performance techniques or even to speak on career readiness? Our musicians can work with your band, orchestra or instrumental section on individual and ensemble music proficiency. Choose an artist from your preferred instrument family and bring an expert into your music room to inspire the best from your students through the BPO's Workshop, Clinic, and Residency offerings. Explore all Teaching Artist programs at bpo.org/teaching-artists.

The Parmesan Pig Book Series is a dynamic and engaging children's picture book series designed to inspire imagination, creativity, and a love for reading in young learners. Each book in the series features Parmesan Pig alongside her charmingly named food-animal friends, whose playful and inventive names add an extra layer of fun to their adventures. These stories not only entertain but also introduce important life lessons, such as friendship, problem-solving, and the value of perseverance. The author visits goes beyond storytelling by offering interactive and follow-up activities. Children/Students engage in character exploration activities, where they experience the creative journey of developing character illustrations—from initial sketches to the final artwork. Each session concludes with the exciting task of inventing new character names that could seamlessly join the series. These activities are designed to enhance literacy, boost creative expression, and build confidence in young readers. The Parmesan Pig Book Series is ideal for elementary school students and can be tailored to fit various educational settings, including classrooms, libraries, and after-school programs. By bringing these stories to life through interactive sessions, I aim to foster a deeper connection with reading and learning, making the educational experience both enjoyable and impactful. Key Features: 1) Interactive Storytelling: Bringing the adventures of Parmesan Pig and friends to life through engaging readings and discussions. 2) Creative Interaction: Activities that encourage children to explore their creativity and express themselves. 2) Educational Enrichment: Each session is designed to align with educational standards, promoting literacy, critical thinking, and social-emotional learning. 4) Flexible Format: The program can be adapted to fit the needs of different age groups and educational settings, ensuring a customized experience for each school. Join Parmesan Pig and her friends on a journey of creativity and learning that will leave a lasting impact on young minds!

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.