October 28 - February 6, 2026
Online
$499Overview
A 3-Part Online Course
Connecting with your readers is an important part of a storyteller’s life.
Join George Jreije and guests 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 engaging content and materials to create genuine connections with kids or teens, educators, administrators, and librarians. School Visits will take place during World Read Aloud Week!
The course includes presentations, generative peer-to-peer discussions, 30-minute school visits with students, and post-course 1:1 consultations.
- 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: Tuesdays: October 28, November 4, 11, & 18; 7pm – 8:30pm Eastern
- Part Two: Independent work, classroom discussions, and optional drop-in studio hours on December 2 and 9
- Part Three: You will receive your 1:1 consultation in preparation for your virtual school visit (December 10 – January 10) and sign up for your virtual school visit the week of February 2 – 6.
- 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 March 31, 2026.
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 (October 28 – November 18);
- Part 2 is time for independent work and revision with support in the virtual classroom, and optional drop-in studio hours (December 2 – 9);
- Part 3 is putting your plan in ACTION with a post-course 1:1 consultation (December 10 – January 10) and a virtual school visit (February 2 – 6).
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
You will be paired with a mentor from the course to review your plan for your classroom visit. Then you will be placed in a classroom for a virtual visit during World Read Aloud Week.
Feedback Expected
- Informal feedback will be available from faculty in the virtual classroom in response to script/presentation ideas and exercises.
- 1:1 consultation with a mentor from the class to plan for your virtual visit.
- Encouraged teacher feedback from your virtual school visit.
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.
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 March 31, 2026.
Part 1: Presentations (October 28 - November 19)
- Tuesday, October 28, 7pm – 8:30pm Eastern: Live Zoom session
- Welcome from the Highlights Foundation
- What is Your Message? with George Jreije
- Special Guest to Come
- Overview of Exercise #1
Session 2:
- Tuesday, November 4, 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
- Special Guest to Come
- Overview of Exercise #2
Session 3:
- Tuesday, November 11, 7pm – 8:30pm Eastern: Live Zoom Session
- Keeping Students Engaged with George Jreije
- Special Guest to Come
- Overview of Exercise #3
Session 4:
- Tuesday, November 19, 7pm – 8:30pm Eastern: Live Zoom Session
- Securing School Visits with George Jreije
- “Mini” School Visit with George Jreije
- 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 (December 2 & 9)
- 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.
- Tuesday, December 2, 7pm – 8:30pm Eastern: Live Zoom Session
- Tuesday, December 9, 7pm – 8:30pm Eastern: Live Zoom Session
Part 3: Virtual School Visits and 1:1 Consultations
You will be paired with a mentor from the course to review your plan for your classroom visit (December 10 – January 10, at a mutually convenient time).
Then you will be placed in a classroom for a virtual visit during World Read Aloud Week (February 2 – 6).
Note: We can be flexible with your presentation needs. Some previous attendees have presented in classrooms of relatives or friends, while others have been paired by our team at the Highlights Foundation.
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.
- Meeting 1:1 with your mentor will allow you to fine-tune your presentation before your school visit.
- You will have access to all recordings and discussions through March 31, 2026.
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
