The Write Kellys: A Unique Blend of Education and Entertainment for K-5 Classrooms The Write Kellys (Rebecca and Kevin Kelly) are an award-winning author and illustrator duo with a knack for crafting engaging, educational, and highly entertaining stories. With four published books, including Finder’s Creatures and The Awesome Impossible Unstoppable Gadget, they have created a captivating universe where young readers solve mysteries, explore creative thinking, and dive into STEM-based adventures. How we approach our Workshops and Presentations using : 1. Design Thinking & Critical Thinking Expertise: The Write Kellys embed design and critical thinking into every story, helping students develop essential problem-solving skills while they’re having fun. With over 25 years of teaching, writing and design experience, we prepare young readers for future learning in a way that no other author does. 2. STEM & Arts-Based Storytelling Workshops: We don’t just read stories; we transform them into interactive experiences. Our workshops blend STEM and art seamlessly, making subjects like science and engineering approachable and exciting for K-5 students. 3. Interactive Author Q&A and Writing Workshops: We offer personalized sessions where students can ask questions, participate in creative writing exercises, and even explore the process of illustration. This interactive approach fosters a deeper connection to the material and encourages creative thinking. 4. Character Development & Design: Our stories go beyond simple narratives. We emphasize character education, teaching values like empathy, kindness, and perseverance through engaging and relatable characters. 5. Custom Events: From mystery-themed events featuring our alter ego P. Knuckle Jones to tailored workshops that meet specific curriculum goals, we work with schools to create custom experiences that resonate with both students and educators. What Others are Saying: “Two hilarious investigations in one!” — Kirkus “A strong recommendation for budding readers and detectives” — School Library Journal “A delightful read for children who enjoy solving mysteries, offering a perfect mix of intrigue, laughs, and memorable moments” — Reader’s Favorite

This Visiting Author Presentation focuses on disability acceptance & inclusion while connecting to the presenter's various children's books. By attending this program, students learn about different disabilities and the process of writing realistic fiction while becoming inspired to make a positive difference in their schools and communities. Great presentation for Autism Awareness Month (April) and Disability Awareness Month (October). Contact Author directly through her website for free Reading Guide. Amy also offers parent workshops related to raising a child with disabilities and understanding the unique needs of siblings.

Discover the fascinating world of Native American folklore, respect for nature and a sense of family, community and caring for the land. Marty Hight shares her stories about beliefs held deeply sacred and get an inside look at how the Native Americans world changed as their land was taken and they were forced to march to a new and strange land. Or, learn how to craft corn husk dolls and hear the story about her creation. Marty invites your students to help illustrate her stories, demonstrate dances and celebrates their special gifts. In this school assembly, history comes alive as stories told for centuries are shared in an engaging way to impart character lessons and tribal history. It’s ideal for Grades K-6. TOPICS INCLUDE: HISTORY • CULTURE • STORYTELLING • SINGING • NATURE • TRADITIONS • DIVERSITY • LANGUAGE • CRAFTS • AND MORE! Marty Hight (Ma-ha-gum-se / Shawnee) is a Native American who has a Cherokee and Shawnee heritage. She is a proud member of the Cherokee Nation of Oklahoma who draws from family history and storytelling to share her people’s history, language, songs, customs, rituals and legends through vivid narratives. Reach out today to learn how you can join in the excitement when you host Marty Hight!

My name is Cris Johnson, and I have performed school assemblies full time for over 20 years, in schools all across the country. My programs are filled with amazing magic, silly games and goofy interaction — and while your students are laughing, they are absorbing strong educational messages and curriculum-based lessons. Twelve topics, including STEM, Character Ed, Anti-Bullying, Reading, Math, and more. One presenter who has done this for two decades. And a guarantee no other assembly presenter will match. If you don’t think I delivered amazing lessons in a fun, interactive, entertaining way, I will cheerfully refund your check — and donate $500 to your PTA/PTO. In over 20 years and thousands of shows, no one has ever requested a refund. Many schools and libraries book me back year after year.

John Petrelli is a motivational speaker, coach, and the author of Confessions of a Hollywood Trainer, an Amazon #1 new release. With over 30 years of experience, John has transformed the lives of Grammy Award- winning artists, Hollywood celebrities, and individuals from all walks of life. But John’s path to success was far from easy. In high school, John was cut from every sports team and barely graduated. Struggling with identity, self-worth, and unresolved anger, he lacked the communication skills and support system needed to thrive. A life-changing arrest just before college marked a personal low point—one that ultimately sparked his transformation. Rather than give in, John chose to rise. For the first time, he began to embrace his failures and coined his personal philosophy: “Perfecting the Art of Failure.” In 2021, John faced another defining moment: a sudden diagnosis of Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS)—a rare autoimmune disease that left him temporarily paralyzed and in the ICU. As someone whose career was rooted in physical strength, John leaned entirely on mental resilience to fight his way back. Today, John is one of the most in-demand fitness professionals and motivational speakers, known for his raw authenticity and life-tested message: Failure isn’t the end—it’s the beginning of transformation. Perfecting the Art of Failure Hi, I’m John Petrelli and I teach people how to do the “Perfect the Art of Failure” in their lives and careers. I teach and inspire audiences to understand that failure isn’t an identity but merely the stepping stones to future success, because I believe when we reframe the way we approach life’s challenges we unlock our fullest potential. John shares how altering your approach to challenges can open doors to new possibilities and propel you towards success. Discover the three core principles – Changing our Perception, Structured dissection, and Unwavering drive – that help elite performers leverage the true abilities to achieve greater success in all areas of life. In this program, you’ll learn… 1. To Understand the Power of Perception: Explore how our perceptions shape your actions and ultimately determine your outcomes. 2. To Master the Art of Dissection: Learn how effectively dissecting your progress is crucial for identifying stepping stones towards success. 3. To Embrace Failure as a Stepping Stone: Discover the “Perfecting the Art of Failure” framework – three simple steps for turning challenges into valuable learning experiences. 4. To Unlock Your Full Potential with Drive: Learn strategies to overcome limitations and unleash your full potential for personal and professional growth. Program 2:Unlocking your personal Wellness Code As a professional fitness coach, working with some of the biggest names in the entertainment industry— unlocking your personal wellness code is a crucial key to success. By applying his own Personal Wellness Code, John defied the odds and rebuilt his health from being paralyzed, proving that true wellness goes beyond just the body—it starts with the mind. John reveals how Understanding in detail what your personal Wellness needs are can unlock new opportunities, a new level of energy and confidence. Learn the three core Wellness Code Principles— Awareness, Identify, and Implementation — used by thousands of John’s clients to help maximize their health, wellness and potential. In this program, you’ll learn… 1. Empowerment & Personalization Encourages individuals to take ownership of their health rather than following a one size fits all approach. Encourages experimentation and awareness by teaching them a DATA DRIVEN approach to their health rather than blindly following trends or generalized health advice. Empowers you to discover what truly works for their body in terms of energy, sleep, exercise, and overall health. 2. Preventing Missed Potential Learn how to recognize your body’s signals before they turn into burnout or health issues. Uncover the daily habits that quietly drain your energy and how to replace them with supportive habits. Understand how stress impacts your performance and what you can do to shift that. 3. Emotional & Motivational The audience leaves understanding that they likely have untapped potential and gives them the motivational keys to Unlock their OWN “Wellness Code.”

Our mission at BIG INK is to encourage appreciation for woodblock printmaking: one impression at a time. In 2012, Lyell Catongguay founded BIG INK to provide woodblock printmaking workshop opportunities for people of all skill levels. As a result, thousands of individuals have learned how to carve wood by following Castonguay’s online master class, and numerous community members have attended BIG INK’s workshops to witness the spectacle of large-scale woodblock printing. With its community-driven and public art education model, BIG INK is committed to ensuring a promising future for printmaking. Hire BIG INK for a workshop at your school. We’ll travel to your location and set up The Big Tuna, our custom-designed giant mobile printing press. Does your group have limited woodblock carving experience? That is okay. We’ll be your guide!

The Southern Tier Brass (2 trumpets, French horn, trombone, tuba and drum set) has been active throughout the area for over 30 years performing music in a wide range of musical styles from the renaissance to contemporary including renaissance, baroque, classical, jazz, standards, popular, rock and Broadway selections. We have a combined public school band teaching experience of over 100 years! Our school performances have been extremely well received by both students and teachers. In addition, our performing experiences include the Binghamton Philharmonic, the Tri Cities Opera and jazz and popular settings. Our program can be tailored to a variety of situations. Examples include: 1. Introducing the brass instruments to students about to start band in elementary school. 2. Providing the opportunity for older music students to see and hear the brass family up close on a wide variety of musical styles. 3. A program tailored to a given grade level social studies curriculum e.g. the Civil War with time period music and narration.

Jennifer Islas has been a licensed Zumba Fitness Instructor since 2009. She has provided classes at many local schools and libraries for both students and teachers. Jennifer is a former educator as well and has worked with children from age 3-18 years as a Speech and Language Therapist. Her classes are high energy, interact, fun and easy to follow!

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.

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.

Caravan to Cairo transports you to the exotic realms of the Arabian Nights, bringing you authentic unique folkloric dances from North Africa to the Middle East. This delightful dance journey through the Near East, choreographed by Samara, one of today’s finest international performers of Middle Eastern dance, offers a diversity of engaging styles and rhythms, lavish, colorful costumes, and a charming story theater adaptation of a timeless Arabic folktale. A brief, participatory dancing instruction and a Q&A session round off the entertainment. This program can also provide artist workshops and residencies in addition to classroom teaching.

Judd Sunshine – Teaching Artist since 1985 Judd Sunshine began his career as a teaching artist with the renowned school assembly group known as The Hill Brothers. Between 1985 and 2022, The Hill Brothers performed thousands of educational concerts for students all over New York State, Pennsylvania, Ohio, and New Jersey. Following the retirement of his fellow Hill Brothers and Sister Susie Hill, he continues the tradition of presenting quality, theme driven, educational, and entertaining programs as a solo performer. His 5 themed shows are comprised of songs and messages delivered with gentle humor and loads of audience participation: Anti Bully Literacy Character Ed (Respect and responsibility) Wellness (safe choices!) Americana and Erie Canal Songs Judd also offers an Erie Canal Songwriting residency as well as non themed shows just for the pure fun of it (great for the end of the school year or summer programs/camps!)