Sandra K. Athans is an award-winning children’s author and a published literacy specialist with vast classroom experience. Her children’s books represent a mix of playfulness, adventure, discovery, and fun! Her goal is to “glue” kids to her book’s pages with high-interest content that is full of page-turning wonder! In Tales from the Top of the World – Sandra shares nonfiction vignettes of her brother’s seven summits of Mt. Everest. In Secrets of the Sky Caves – she invites readers on scientific expeditions to remote cliff caves in Nepal. These are but two of her many works, which she shares with students in lively and engaging multi-media presentations. Sandra has written at every level, from early childhood fiction, through to award-winning middle grade nonfiction and above. She is currently working on Chasing Curious Creatures, a playful nonfiction series about unusual animals and the scientists who study them (Astra Books for Children – 2025). Sandra also continues to publish teacher and student resources within the educational market and can provide reading/writing workshops for students and/or teachers along with her author visits.

Meet Dott! Like the Polkadot! And her talking dog Dusty, like the dust! Their mission is to foster the voice and imagination of the next generation. Dusty & Dott are committed to creating an environment that is welcoming and supportive of all identities. Through storytelling and the magic of puppetry, Dusty & Dott celebrate curiosity and encourage the values of creative play.

I offer a variety of school assembly programs, including shows about recycling and water conservation. In addition I offer workshops in mime, movement and theater.

Bright Star Touring Theatre has grown to become one of the nation's largest professional touring theaters for young audiences. Bright Star was founded in 2003 and currently expects to serve around 4,000 audiences this year with programming across America and around the world. Bright Star annually offers more than 60 different 45-minute programs ranging from anti-bullying and literary classics to American history and science-based STEM shows. Bright Star is the nation's largest provider of Black History programming and has had the honor of bringing shows to venues as diverse as the National Park Service and the National Archives and to schools and libraries across New York State. This season, our programs include more than 70 shows, including Peter Pan, Winnie-the-Pooh, A Dickens Tale, Bullysaurus Rex, The Story of Anne Frank, The Life of Dr. King, Let It Shine: The American Civil Rights Movement, a bilingual Little Red Riding Hood, and more. In addition to touring productions designed to perform in any space, the company offers theater production camps, theater workshops, residencies, and more. Our shows include comprehensive classroom study guides, post-show Q&A's, and professional actors that join our company from around the country. We are always here to answer questions and help you become acquainted with us and our work! We can't wait to entertain your young audience, as we've done for millions of audience members around the globe.

In "The Art of SPLIT-SECOND SUCCESS: How to ACT FAST and Create Positive Results NOW!", Robert Channing presents an amazing performance that combines his renowned mentalism abilities, “E.S.P. Magic of the Mind,” with “Imagination Into Art” speed painting. With over 30 years and thousands of shows for students of all ages, this unique program masterfully blends art, education, mentalism, innovation, and imagination, delivering an unforgettable experience that your students will cherish. With national recognition from shows like America’s Got Talent, The Today Show, and The Steve Harvey Show, Robert's performance is a must-see live experience. Students will leave motivated to ACHIEVE MORE, holding onto the memories of his performance for years to come. Robert's uplifting presentation inspires students to DREAM BIG and harness their intuitive powers. As a supernatural entertainer and speed painter, he transforms the atmosphere with a dynamic program filled with laughter, participation, and inspiration through mental magic, rapid artistic creations, and speed painting of iconic figures. His mind-reading skills reveal thoughts known only to the individuals he reads, along with fun and entertaining predictions, as well as demonstrations of extrasensory perception and telepathy, with total audience participation. His speed painting skills allow him to create stunning portraits and masterpieces of iconic figures on a 4-foot by 5-foot canvas, all set to heart-pounding music. He crafts these portraits in minutes, often revealing them using clear glue and glitter to create a magical effect. He also paints upside down for an added twist of excitement. His extensive repertoire of over 100 icons includes famous figures like Albert Einstein, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., and Taylor Swift, along with custom portraits of your choosing, keeping audiences on the edge of their seats as each identity is revealed. Once a portrait is completed, Robert shares amazing and inspirational stories about the individuals he painted, highlighting their journeys through adversity. He tailors the show to different age groups, ensuring that younger students enjoy relatable characters and themes. Relevant topics such as Dreaming Big, Diversity, Inclusion, and Overcoming Bullying are also addressed. In addition to performances for students, Robert offers appreciation programs for staff, encouraging educators to stay motivated and overcome challenges in their field. "The Art of SPLIT-SECOND SUCCESS" is more than just a performance; it’s an inspiring, mind-blowing experience that motivates both students and staff to live passionately and reach new levels of success. Robert promises three surprises: something you've never seen, something you'll never see again, and something you must see to believe. Are you ready to elevate your next NYS Arts-in-Education program at your school with this extraordinary mentalist and speed painter?

QP Leadership's unique, three-pronged expertise combining education administration, veteran teaching, and executive business success provides a results-focused approach to improving classroom culture, moving from an "I, Me, My" mindset to a collaborative "We, Us, Our" environment. Our effective strategies address the challenges teachers face every day with Generation Alpha, especially given the significant impact technology and AI are having on students' emotional intelligence and social emotional learning. We are designed for immediate application and deliver proven, actionable strategies: Compassionate Discipline, FORM, 'Whale Done', and Total Quality Management Models. QP Leadership will present a high-value, relevant, and engaging professional development session that meets the critical need for effective behavioral and cultural strategies in today's classrooms.

I am the author of Charlie and Sophie's Great escape, a 32-page illustrated children's book. The story is about two curious puppies who run off by themselves, leaving their boy behind. Charlie and Sophie enjoy their freedom until they run into a scary situation. They manage to escape but realize they are lost. They work together, relying on their senses to find their way back home. The story's moral is that mistakes are part of life's journey, but when we learn from them, they become stepping stones to growth. I present an interactive storytelling session of my book, touching on themes of friendship and faith in our abilities, with time at the end for some Q&A. We also discuss how dogs use their senses to learn about their world and how our senses compare with those of dogs. I am open to doing a related activty as an add-on to the book reading.

Author visits are inspiring events that deepen students' enthusiasm for reading and writing. Lonni Lane Marketing works with hosts throughout the process to make author visits run seamlessly with all the details ironed out in advance of the event. Learn more about these authors and their unique programs, which can be customized for different audiences: R. W. Alley, Jonathon Auxier, Mary Casanova, Candace Fleming, Donna Gephart, Cyndi Giorgis, I.W.Gregorio, Greg Howard, Julie Leung (local author), Emma Otheguy (local author), Margi Preus, Caroline Tung Richmond, Eric Rohmann, Barb Rosenstock, Laura Shovan, Elly Swartz, Cat Winters, Dan Yaccarino

I'm a kids' graphic novel author who over the last two years has presented at over 350 elementary and middle schools across America. My interactive, fast-paced presentations focus on the power of collaboration and the strengths of neurodiversity. As a dyslexic, one of my favorite things to present on is the strengths of neurodiversity. My books like Lumberjackula, Martian Ghost Centaur, and Indoor Kid have received starred reviews from most major trade journals, named to several state lists, and made the ALA best graphic novels list. I also used to work in higher ed at Boise State University where I taught classes on publishing and creative writing. I'd love to come speak with your students about creativity and persevering through learning differences!

China Patterns Spectacular athleticism one moment, pure grace and precision the next. This program features a new interactive movement theater portion that will bring the Chinese classical poem of the folktale of Mulan to life, as well as a diverse selection of Chinese dances performed in full, traditional costumes. Students will get to learn Mandarin phrases, traditions, and dance movements through interactive segments included in the program. Program Length: 45 min

The Museum of Innovation and Science (miSci) offers a variety of engaging STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Math) programs as field trip experiences, virtually, or in-person (off-site) at your location. Each program features a miSci science communicator performing demonstrations and guiding hands-on experiments designed to excite and inform learners. We offer classes in Earth Science, Chemistry, Physical Science, Space, Engineering, Life Science. Our in person outreach classes are 45 minutes long, for up to 25 students in one session. We also have the capability to do the outreach classes as virtual classes in all these subjects. miSci has a Starlab (portable planetarium) that we can bring to a school, or area building to do up to 5 - thirty minute shows in one day. We also have star parties for naked eye viewing, weather permitting. We offer field trips which include a class, a planetarium show and time in the museum to explore. With suggestions from teachers we can adjust the topics in a planetarium show or for a different class topic if we are given a 3 week notice to make the adjustments.

Go beyond the book and enrich student learning experiences with dynamic school assemblies by author Maria Dismondy. Maria has written over a dozen books on social emotional learning. Her most recent book includes bucket filling and was co-authored with Carol McCloud. Maria's programs are age-appropriate discussions centered around children’s literature and encourage peer interaction as well as crowd participation. All sessions are 45 minutes except for Kindergarten and Preschool programs, which are 30 minutes. Books are available for purchase during visits but not required. Assembly Themes: -Bucketfilling -You do You (Character traits & Friendships) -Growth Mindset -Operation Sunshine (Giving your Time, Talent & Treasures) -Literacy (Writing & Reading Skills) -Character Development