August 29 - October 25
Online
$599Overview
A 3-Part Online Course
Connecting with your readers is an important part of a storyteller’s life. Join George Jreije and guests Aram Kim, Andrea Loney, and Carmen Oliver to develop your virtual school visit, and put your plan into action with a scheduled school visit! You’ll blend who you are as a storyteller with resonant content and materials to create genuine connections with kids or teens, educators, administrators, and librarians.
The course includes presentations, generative peer-to-peer discussions, 30-minute school visits with students, and post-course 1:1 consultations.
- This is an online course in three parts:
- Part 1 is learning through presentations (both pre-recorded and live) and script building activities;
- Part 2 is time for independent work and revision with support in the virtual classroom, and optional drop-in studio hours;
- Part 3 is putting your plan in ACTION in a virtual school visit, paired with a post-course 1:1 consultation.
- Details include:
- Part One: Thursdays, August 29, September 5, September 12, and September 19 at 7pm – 8:30pm Eastern
- Part Two: Independent work, classroom discussions, and optional drop-in studio hours at September 26, October 10, October 17, 7pm – 8:30pm Eastern (please note no drop-in on October 3)
- Part Three: You will receive your audience details and date for your virtual visit (scheduled between October 15 – 25) and sign up for your post-course consultation (between October 25 – November 15). Note: Please complete the registration question to denote your availability for a virtual school visit, so that we can schedule it with you accordingly.
- 30 participants max
- If you are unable to attend the sessions live, you will have access to the recordings within 24-hours of the live session. All materials will be available through December 31, 2024.
Presentation, Week 1
What is Your Message?
with George Jreije
+ Special Guest “Mini” School Visit with Andrea Loney
Presentation, Week 2
Playing to Your Strengths
with George Jreije
+ Special Guest “Mini” School Visit with Aram Kim
Presentation, Week 3
Keeping Students Engaged
with George Jreije
+ Special Guest “Mini” School Visit with Carmen Oliver
Why This Workshop?
The heart of a powerful presentation begins with understanding who you are as a storyteller, and then using that understanding to create a genuine connection with kids and teens through the material you present. If you want to create and deliver an engaging presentation, this workshop offers the unique opportunity to jumpstart your plans for school visits and beyond. There are three parts to this program:
- Part 1 is learning through presentations (both pre-recorded and live) and script building activities;
- Part 2 is time for independent work and revision with support in the virtual classroom, and optional drop-in studio hours;
- Part 3 is putting your plan in ACTION in a virtual school visit, paired with a post-course 1:1 consultation.
All LIVE lectures will include:
- A presentation from George Jreije (public speaking, script design, engagement techniques, getting the gig) and a “mini” presentation from a special guest (Aram Kim, Andrea Loney, and Carmen Oliver) with time for a Q & A. (See details in the agenda below.)
Throughout the workshop, you’ll receive:
- Informal feedback on ideas and exercises
- Practical and personal approaches for connecting with students during school visits
- Ways to build public speaking skills
- Ways to expand (or shrink) your presentation to fit the needs of a school (or organization) that has hired you
Then, put your script into ACTION at a virtual School Visit.
You will be paired with a classroom to offer a 30-minute virtual visit to students. Both students and teachers will be able to offer written feedback to you on your session.
Following this session you can also meet with a mentor from the course to review feedback from the school, and questions you have for moving forward!
Feedback Expected
- Informal feedback will be available from faculty in the virtual classroom in response to script/presentation ideas and exercises.
- Student and teacher feedback from your virtual school visit.
- Post-course 1:1 consultation with a mentor from the class to discuss student and teacher feedback, and any remaining questions.
It’s a Great Fit If…
- You are an author or illustrator. This course is open to both authors and illustrators, regardless of experience level.
- You would like to develop or refine your school presentations. School visits are an excellent way to promote your books and earn extra income. This course will help you develop the best presentation for your audience.
- You are a debut author or illustrator. Learn ways to get your new title into the hands of readers, including children, teachers, and librarians.
- You are comfortable with a combination of guided and independent learning, as each part leads to your LIVE virtual visit to a classroom in Part Three.
Do I need to have a published book to take the workshop?
It is a good idea to have a book in the works that will anchor your school visit. It does not need to be published at the time of the program. There are also examples of school visits that do not center a published book: The Writing Process, The Illustration Process, and/or How to Give and Receive Feedback on Your Work, etc.
Detailed Agenda
All Times are Eastern Standard Time. Click on the headings below to explore the agenda in more detail.
Pre-Workshop
You will receive a link to our virtual classroom where you can introduce yourself to fellow creatives, engage in Highlights Foundation related resources (including our Community Standards), keep up to date on the schedule, and view pre-recorded materials.
It is important that you fill out the questions at registration to help us connect you with a classroom for your virtual visit in Part Three of the course (October 15 – 25, 2024).
Note: If your schedule does not allow you to attend live sessions in Part One, that’s OK! You’ll have access to the recordings. They’re usually posted the day after the session, and they’ll be available through December 31, 2024.
Part 1: Presentations (Thursday, August 29 - Thursday, September 19)
Session 1:
- Thursday, August 29, 7pm – 8:30pm Eastern: Live Zoom session
- Welcome from the Highlights Foundation
- What is Your Message? with George Jreije (45 minutes)
- Special Guest “Mini” School Visit with Andrea Loney (15 minutes)
- Q & A (15 minutes)
- Overview of Exercise #1
Session 2:
- Thursday, September 5, 7pm – 8:30pm Eastern: Live Zoom Session
- Small Group Introductions: About you! About your books! About your ideas!
- Playing to Your Strengths with George Jreije (45 minutes)
- Special Guest “Mini” School Visit with Aram Kim (15 minutes)
- Q & A (15 minutes)
- Overview of Exercise #2
Session 3:
- Thursday, September 12, 7pm – 8:30pm Eastern: Live Zoom Session
- Keeping Students Engaged with George Jreije (45 minutes)
- Special Guest “Mini” School Visit with Carmen Oliver (15 minutes)
- Q & A (15 minutes)
- Overview of Exercise #3
Session 4:
- Thursday, September 19, 7pm – 8:30pm Eastern: Live Zoom Session
- Securing School Visits with George Jreije
- “Mini” School Visit with George Jreije (15 minutes)
- Q & A
- Overview of “Studio” Hours and Part Two
*The order of presentation topics is still being decided, please keep in mind that all part one sessions will include a presentation from George Jreije (public speaking, script design, engagement techniques, getting the gig), a “mini” presentation from a special guest with time for a Q & A, and a hands on exercise for you to try as you build your own school visit.
Part 2: Independent Work + Optional Studio Hours (September 26 - October 17)
Independent Work, September 19 – October 16
- Independent work on presentations
- Faculty will be available via virtual classroom discussion board (please engage and ask questions!)
Optional Studio Hours
Reserve this time to work “alone-together” on your presentation. Each drop-in will begin with 15 minutes of Q & A, and end with 15 minutes of sharing/Q & A.
- Thursday September 26, 7pm – 8:30pm Eastern: Live Zoom Session
- Thursday, October 10, 7pm – 8:30pm Eastern: Live Zoom Session
- Thursday, October 17, 7pm – 8:30pm Eastern: Live Zoom Session
Please note, also during Part Two:
- There is NO drop-in on Thursday, October 3.
- You will receive your schedule for your school visit by October 1 and connect with the classroom teacher to set up your schedule.
Part 3: Virtual School Visits and 1:1 Consultations
Part Three:
You will be paired with a classroom to offer a 30-minute virtual visit to students. Both students and teachers will be able to offer written feedback to you on your session.
Following this session you can meet with a mentor from the course to review feedback from the school and questions you have for moving forward!
Our virtual classroom will also be open to share ideas, questions, and connections to your classroom experience.
You will receive your audience details and date for your virtual visit (scheduled between October 15 – 25) and sign up for your post-course consultation (between October 25 – November 15).
Commitment Required for the Best Experience
- This course is best if you engage in all sessions. If you cannot attend live, please commit to watching the recordings in sequence. You’ll have access to the recordings with closed captioning. They’re posted the day after the session.
- Participants are encouraged to leave open/schedule blocks of time for themselves to work on exercises and reflections throughout.
- Drop-in studio hours are optional, but highly encouraged to reserve this time to prepare for your school visit.
- Offering your schedule and needs for your school visit at the time of your registration is very helpful to guarantee that we can accommodate your school visit in Part Three of the course.
- You will have access to all recordings and discussions through December 31, 2024.
The Highlights Foundation strives for a safe and inclusive environment. You will have access to our Community Standards prior to the workshop where we ask for your respectful engagement with fellow creatives, including our faculty and staff.
How It Impacts Kids
A visit or book talk can bring a story to life for a kid, and give them a glimpse into the storytelling process. Visiting with readers can also spark new love for story, and create genuine connection and opportunities for learning. Build visits that speak to your audience in your own unique voice to foster this experience.
Testimonials from Our Community
“The faculty’s deep belief in what they’re sharing, their knowledge, their commitment to helping us connect with kids and spread the joy of books.”
“At the Highlights Foundation, I finally learned how to deliver a moving, effective, and authentic school visit to audiences of all ages.”
Resources
- School Visits: Faculty Q&A
- 5 Simple Rules to Minimize Your Discomfort with Public Appearances and School Visits
- 3 Questions with Alyssa Reynoso-Morris and George Jreije About School Visits and Events
- 3 Tips for Awesome Author Visits
- Padma Vekatraman on Ensuring Our Words Inspire Positive Change in Children
- Podcast with Aram Kim: Doing School Visits When You’re Not an Extrovert
- Student Spotlight: Looking Forward to Creating Successful School Visits
