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Jermiko Thomas
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Jermiko Thomas is an Educational Market Best-Selling Author, TEDx Speaker, and creator of the national and international award-winning Adventures of Walter children’s series. His books promote Social-Emotional Learning (SEL), STEM education, inclusion, friendship, bullying prevention, and autism awareness. Through Cornhill Publishing, he offers K–5 author visits, SEL workshops, STEM demonstrations, read-alouds, writing sessions, audiobook + ASL integration, activity sheets, and curriculum-aligned programming used in schools, BOCES systems, and libraries across Central New York and beyond. Programs support UDL, special education, deaf & hard-of-hearing communities, and general education classrooms. Jermiko Thomas is an Educational Market Best-Selling Author, TEDx Speaker, and creator of the national and international award-winning Adventures of Walter children’s series. His books are known for their engaging, uplifting, and award-winning rhyming storytelling style that helps children connect deeply with themes of Social-Emotional Learning (SEL), STEM, friendship, kindness, bullying prevention, autism awareness, and inclusion. He offers K–5 author visits, classroom presentations, interactive SEL/STEM workshops, ASL-integrated sessions, writing residencies, multimedia storytelling assemblies, and teacher professional development, all aligned with literacy standards, UDL principles, special education needs, and district SEL frameworks. Jermiko has been featured on TEDx, WSYR Bridge Street, WKTV, TALK! 100.7 FM, the Rome Sentinel, SUNY Polytechnic Institute, MVCC, and has delivered programs across numerous school districts. His work is officially verified as an Educational Market Best-Selling Author through Ingram Content Group distribution, and his books are placed in public and elementary school libraries across New York State. His mission is to inspire young learners through creativity, resilience, imagination, and the power of reading—proving that big dreams can grow from any community.
Judd Sunshine
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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!)
Albany Pine Bush Preserve
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LOOKING FOR FIELD TRIP IDEAS FOR YOUR CLASS? Visit the Albany Pine Bush Preserve and experience a globally rare habitat minutes from downtown Albany and Schenectady! LET YOUR SENSE OF WONDER GROW IN THE ALBANY PINE BUSH PRESERVE At the Albany Pine Bush Preserve, students explore real-world phenomena and learn through inquiry-based investigations. • We offer programs for grades pre-k through high school, homeschool groups, colleges, Scouting groups and other special interest groups. • Visit the Discovery Center, a one-of-a-kind interpretive center with interactive exhibits, demonstration gardens, accessible outdoor Discovery Trail and more. • For information on program logistics, fees and resources visit AlbanyPineBush.org • Bus funding available through the Friends of the Pine Bush Community Ticket to Ride grant. Details at PineBushFriends.org • In-classroom teacher kits are available for loan at no cost. School Group Volunteer Opportunities We also offer community service opportunities for classes to complete in the preserve including: invasive species removal, seed collection and trash pick-up. For more info visit www.albanypinebush.org/schools or call 518-456-0655
London Ladd
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I love to share the process of book illustration. With PowerPoint, I start by sharing slides of my childhood journey as an illustrator. People need to know that they can succeed even if they experience setbacks. I emphasize hard work, patience, and continuing learning. I show various slides of personal drawings and artwork along with the many steps involved in making a picture book, such as reviewing the manuscript, researching, sketching, and creating artwork. In addition, I may bring sketchbooks, original artwork, and various visual aids for the audience to see firsthand to understand my work better. My presentation lasts 35-45 minutes, followed by 5 minutes of Q&A. Presentations will be adjusted according to grade level. I can do up to three presentations per day of the visit.
Peter Catalanotto
I take the students through my entire creative process from inspiration to finished book. I demonstrate student-friendly strategies to get ideas, combining one's life and imagination, and then how to develop those ideas. I tailor each program to the age group to whom I'm presenting. I also draw in each program, showing tips and techniques to make drawing easier and more enjoyable. The students leave my presentation inspired and empowered to write and illustrate. Virtual programs also available.
The Laugh Factory
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Unlike any of the other magic shows! The Laugh Factory is the best comical magic show for schools and camps that you’ll ever see! It’s hysterical for your students, and also funny, engaging, and entertaining for your teachers and school staff. Stinky Sneakers, a Giant Pair of Underpants, exploding pop cans, and a short round of basketball (with toilet paper!), are just a little bit of the crazy insanity that is to come during The Laugh Factory Comical Magic Show. Don’t worry, there are no gimmicky magic stunts or something too embarrassing in this school assembly magic show! It’s just 45 minutes of pure silliness, nonstop jokes, and wild funniness, where your students are the stars of the show!
Les Trouble P.I.
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Looking for a little less trouble at your elementary school? Then it’s time to call Les Trouble Problem Investigator! Maybe your school doesn’t have a big problem with bullying, but you’d like a little more help getting kids to get along. Les Trouble PI and his sidekick Spike will show your students the skills they need to handle little problems on the playground or in the classroom completely on their own. This Conflict Resolution School Assembly and Leadership Assembly Show is all about Safety, Responsibility and Respect, and how leaders utilize these positive behavior traits to solve problems even when they are upset or angry. Les Trouble PI guides students into discovering that getting along with each other takes Cooperation, Communication, and Treating others with Mutual respect during this conflict resolution school show. Support your PBIS program or celebrate Red Ribbon Week with Les Trouble PI. Throughout the conflict resolution school assembly show, students will learn more about the simple four-step process to solving their own problems in peer to peer conflict resolution.
Amy McCoy
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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.
Ken Waldman
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A former college professor with an MFA in Creative Writing, Ken Waldman combines Appalachian-style string-band music, original poetry, and smart storyteller for an experience unique to him. He's been a visiting writer at over 100 colleges, and has been a visiting artist at over 250 schools in 35 states, and works with kindergartners, at-risk and advance placement high-schoolers, and with all ages in between.
David Hagerman, The Science Wizard
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David Hagerman has been performing his math science assemblies for over 20 years. Though we are based in Branson, MO, David performs all over the country. Extreme Science 2.0 is a forty-five minute program that can be performed for grades K-12. Math-A-Magic and Sound of Science are also 45 minutes long and the same price as Extreme Science 2.0. Since Extreme Science is our most popular, I will put the description of it here. The show is catered to the age of the student audience. Most schools request multiple back-to-back shows, splitting the students into like-grades. The older students get a more advanced show with the science explained in more detail. For younger audiences, the visual nature of the show keeps their attention without talking over their heads. This show is a large production including two performers, music and amazingly visual demonstrations: 700,000 Volt Van de Graaff generator (VDG): (one of the largest you can find), it creates 10-15 inch lightening bolts and more than enough static to raise hair Vortex Cannons: creates flying rings of fog Floating beach balls: thanks to the Bernoulli effect, we have flight Video of the live in person performances: VDG (2.5 minutes): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KhST0NcqmEc Vortex Cannons (7 minutes): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WwXDdWSe_uE For regular IN PERSON performances, the prices are as follows: For one daytime performance per school site, it is $1475. For two back-to-back daytime performances at the same school site, it is $1975 total. For one morning and one afternoon (AM/PM) split performances at the same school site, it is $2275.00 For one evening performance per school site, it is $1575. As a package deal; two afternoon performances and an evening family show at the same school site is $2700 ($800 savings). If you have 2 or more schools that book, you EACH get 10% off. If 3 or more schools book, you EACH get 15% off. David was invited to be on America's Got Talent for the 2021 season. His edited America's Got Talent performance: https://youtu.be/86FYGTmE1CU Additional info: Extreme Science: https://www.schoolscienceassemblies.com/extreme-science-school-assembly Short promo video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FnPrOCJnNcM Archived testimonials date back to 1997: https://www.schoolscienceassemblies.com/references The Boston Globe published this article on David Hagerman in their business section. https://www.bostonglobe.com/business/2018/08/31/like-say-that-everything-percent-fake/os7VhPzfujVQrgmXpy99JK/story.html?event=event12 Performing over six hundred shows a year gives David a solid reputation that spans over 20 years of performing science assemblies nationally. We guarantee our show is one of the best you can find. If you disagree, no payment is due.
Patti Bonesteel
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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!
Zealot Interactive
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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.