Regions Map
X

Brain Break Academy
Card image
The World’s Best Classroom Reset Button is BrainBreak Academy! An online resource bundle full of videos that helps teachers take back control of the classroom and re-engage students. These 3-5 minute videos help students: FOCUS over puzzling BrainTeasers, INSPIRE students during virtual field trips RELAX with simple breathing & stretching exercises ENERGIZE while engaging with interactive classroom games Positive classroom environments are conducive to students’ growth, and teachers should expect their students to be ready to learn. Give educators the tools they need from BrainBreak Academy so they can take back control of the classroom right away!
Daryl Cobb
Card image
Daryl Cobb is the author of 18 books for children, and a premier children's educational presenter. Daryl's experience as a professional actor, musician and singer makes him one of the most imaginative and dynamic author presenters in the country. Daryl's versatility makes him the perfect choice for in school author visits at every age level. Very few authors can captivate children the way Daryl does. His music instantly grabs everyone's attention, and he keeps them on the edge of their seats with his storytelling. His interaction with the student body is playful and fun. And his life experiences (in baseball, with bullies and ADHD) make him relatable to all and his literacy message very powerful. His author visits programs are inspiring! Daryl's programs are interactive and include his "Music, Sign-along & Storytelling" assembly for K-2 and his interactive "A Writer's Journey" assembly that uses storytelling, music, graphics and live action readings to teach the kids about the writing process.
Jordan Toma / I'm Just A Kid With An IEP
Card image
Top U.S. youth motivational speaker Jordan Toma, who wrote the self published book: I'm Just A Kid With An IEP* that has sold over 100,00 copies, with a social media presence exceeding 3.6 million followers is looking to reach and inspire people of all ages and abilities with his story and message: My Struggle Is My Strength. jordantoma.com *IEP = Individualized Education Program
The bFit Show
Card image
Your school will be amazed at the magic. They will laugh at the hysterical comedy. But most importantly, they will get excited about being Fit! The bFit Show is a 45-minute elementary fitness and nutrition program designed to get your kids interested in getting Fit. The show uses magic, comedy, juggling, music, and tons of audience participation to deliver a powerful and motivational message that kids in America need to hear! The bFit Show uses magic, comedy, juggling, and audience participation to get your elementary school excited about eating healthy, fitness, nutrition, and exercise! Students, teachers, parents, and administrators will love and talk about The bFit Show for days, weeks, and months to come. And this program may help your school fight child obesity, diabetes, and heart disease! The bFit Show with Brian Richards is an elementary health and fitness assembly that will get your students up and moving!
Goat on a Boat Puppet Theater
Card image
Goat on a Boat is a nonprofit puppet theater that has been building, performing and presenting a variety of puppet shows for young children and their grown-ups since 2001. Shows can fit into classrooms, auditoriums or can be performed outdoors from our Puppet Truck stage. Using a variety of puppetry styles, our shows are based on well-loved classics as well as original stories about friendship, the environment and more. Puppet making workshops provide the opportunity for young students to improvise their own stories, to work together to create characters, build sets, stages and puppets. At the end of each workshop, there is short performance where students can share what they've made. Our residencies provide the time and space to create longer, themed shows that can connect to STEM classroom learning objectives. Goat on a Boat also offers Professional Development workshops that teach educators how to make a variety of puppet projects to use in the classroom as well as how to manipulate and how to make their puppets come to life. We believe that Puppetry is the gateway to a life-long love of Theater and the Performing Arts. This unique art form brings Art to life and engages children's imaginations in so many valuable ways.
Ball in the House
Card image
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.
Patti Bonesteel
Card image
After retiring from teaching at the elementary level for 25 years, I decided I still wanted to teach. So, my love for nature and children led me in the direction of writing fictional animal based stories based on facts. I offer school wide readings, as well as class presentations. Depending on the program requested, I also offer activities (crafts and games) as well as some science based videos to aid in the presentation. Book signings are always provided for books purchased before or during the special book talk day. Books are: The Flamingo With Two Left Feet Amari’s BIG Surprise…It’s NOT Monkey Bread! We Can...and We Do!
Mr. Peace
Card image
Kevin Szawala, also known as Mr. Peace, is a nationally recognized youth motivational speaker from Metro Detroit with a focus on diversity and inclusion, student mental health, bullying prevention, character education and staff enrichment. Additionally, all of his presentations are interactive, high-energy, and adaptable, and they all feature age-appropriate information, interesting multimedia, and inspirational hip-hop musical performances. Heart-focused programs like those Mr. Peace offers are more important than ever to support our children’s entire well-being in light of the consequences of the epidemic and remote learning. Consider booking an in-person or online visit for your upcoming assembly, conference, keynote, retreat, workshop, or other event to bring one of his motivational lectures to your school or organization (list of topics folow). Anti-Bullying Program | Diversity Program | Positivity Program | Leadership Program | Respect Program | Cyberbullying and Social Awareness Parent Program | College/Career Prep | Substance Abuse Prevention | Suicide Prevention | Staff Enrichment
Zealot Interactive
Card image
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.
TEEN TRUTH
Card image
With a reach of over 12 million students, TEEN TRUTH is a leading educational services company dedicated to empowering student voices, fostering positive school culture, and building student resilience. Originating from the success of an award-winning, student-filmed documentary series, TEEN TRUTH delivers North America’s best school assemblies, interactive student leadership summits, and high-quality professional development workshops. Visit www.teentruth.net to discover how we can elevate Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) initiatives at your middle or high school.
Misty Yarnall
Card image
Misty Yarnall is a writer and teaching artist. She actively teaches creative writing and theatre workshops through libraries, homeschool co-ops, and nonprofit organizations. She is passionate about creating brave spaces for people of all ages to share their stories. A few examples of workshops she has led in the past are included below. World Building 101: Do you love reading adventure books with fantastical settings and magical elements? Have you ever wanted to write a story set in a place you’ve never been? In this workshop, students will master the layout of the land within their stories, no matter what genre. Students will take inspiration from real plants, animals, and cultures, and apply what they've learned to their made-up worlds. Writing for the Screen: Have you ever wondered how your favorite TV show got to the screen? Want to try your hand at writing a script made for TV? In this workshop, you will learn to write your own screenplay and collaborate on a pilot episode for a TV series. We will generate ideas, learn to use the three-act structure, and operate as if we were in our own TV writers' room. Playing with Plays: Through movement-based improv games and collaborative writing prompts, students will better understand how plays go from the page to the stage. We will learn about character motivations, use of props, scene structure, and understanding of performance. Students will end the workshop with a new play to showcase. Guided Journaling: Have you always wanted to start journaling, but aren’t sure where to start? Have you been journaling for a while and want a community to write and share with? In this workshop, participants will complete writing prompts geared towards eliminating the daunting, listy idea of journaling and replace it with interactive, fun activities for all ages and backgrounds. No prior journaling or writing experience necessary!
Schoharie Crossing State Historic Site
Card image
Schoharie Crossing State Historic Site offers a wide range of on-site and outreach programming related to the fascinating history of the Erie Canal, the Mohawk Valley, and the Haudenosaunee people. Schoharie Crossing State Historic Site is dedicated to the preservation and interpretation of the Erie Canal as one of the 19th century's greatest commercial and engineering projects. The Visitor Center Museum exhibit traces the history of the Erie Canal and its impact on the growth of New York State and the nation. Within the site's boundaries are many structures dating from the three eras of the canal's development. At the eastern end of the site is the Putman Lock Stand at Yankee Hill that houses an exhibit on Erie Canal stores. The site's largest structure is the remains of the Schoharie Aqueduct, which carried the water of the Enlarged Erie Canal over the Schoharie Creek. Schoharie Crossing is also the location of 18th century Fort Hunter and the Lower Castle Mohawk village. See artifacts from that portion of our history on display at the Visitor Center. Facilities: Stop into the Visitor Center to orient yourself to the site, check out the exhibit space and gift shop. Schoharie Crossing State Historic Site offers educational outreach programs as well as an on-site school field trips and special events. Services & Amenities: Within Park Bicycle Riding, Boat Launch, Cross Country Skiing, Educational Programs, Historical Areas & Structures, Horseback Riding, Info Center, Museum, Park Office, Parking, Picnic Area, Picnic Tables, Playground, Restroom, Walking