Inspiration. Engagement. Involvement. Humor. Insight. Music. Movement. Motivation. More! My keynotes are designed to get your participants up and moving, singing, laughing and nodding their heads in agreement with the brain research and stories I share. Participants will laugh. Participants will cry. Some may do both. Always energetic, my keynotes are recognized for their high level of excitement and memorable message. I've been described as a cross between Carol Burnett, Miss Frizzle and Dr. Jean! Pretty incredible comparisons! It's a thrill to take the BIG stage. I have now had the great honor and privilege of having delivered the keynote at three national conferences!! The first was for the National Head Start Family Engagement Institute in Dallas. My second national keynote was opening the International Kindergarten Conference in Vegas on behalf of Staff Development for Educators. My most recent national keynote was in Orlando for NAFCC, the National Association for Family Child Care. Each holds a very special place in my heart and scrapbook. Over the last decade I have delivered numerous state keynotes: AZ, AR, MI, FL, KY, IN, CA, TN, AL, NH, NY, LA. Early Childhood Conferences, State AEYC Conferences, State Head Start Conferences, SDE Conferences, UMAP State Conferences. You name it! I've been there! I've presented in 31 states + 4 countries!My involvement at NAEYC continues annually. I have presented workshops at the last dozen national conventions across the country. (National Association for the Education of Young Children.)If you're looking to get your participants UP and MOVING, invigorated and enthused, you've found the right presenter! I offer the perfect blend of participation and storytelling to launch (or conclude) your event with high energy and excitement! Give me a call for letters of referral! The trickiest part is figuring out the calendar. I'm booking out 18-24 months ahead, so let's get YOUR date on MY calendar.

Redleaf Press is releasing a collaborative project based on my songs and their instrumentals. "One, Two What Can I Do?: Dance and Music for the Whole Day" is an encyclopedia of dance and movement ideas written by national dance expert, Connie Bernstein Dow, in response to a dozen of my original songs and dozens & dozens of my instrumentals on a two-disc set. The natural evolution of my collaboration with Redleaf Press is that I am in on the ground floor of their Redleaf Academy, which is a state-of-the-art webinar series. This Academy of nationally known authors will showcase individual opportunities for professional development within the homes of early childhood teachers across the country. My first webinar title for Redleaf is "If you Can't Sing Good, Sing Loud."

Zaner-Bloser 'discovered' me in Columbus, Ohio at a Greater Columbus Arts Council's showcase of Artist-in-the-Schools artists and the most delightful relationship has evolved. Initially the company commissioned me to create an album of songs and dances for use in PreK and K classrooms to support fine motor development thru music. That work was such a success that they subsequently commissioned a second album of songs for their Voices PreK Reading program. Since creating these albums together, the company has invited me to participate with them in a number of conferences and conventions, demonstrating these works in formal workshop settings as well as informally in exhibit halls. To date we have collaborated at the last several NAEYC conventions (National Association for the Education of Young Children) SoMIRAC, (State of Maryland International Reading Association Council) , IRC (Illinois Reading Council) and SDE's ITK (Staff Development for Educators, I Teach Kindergarten national convention.) One example of the result of these invitations is that I have just delivered the keynote for the state of Louisiana's Department of Education PreK & K conference in Baton Rouge in Jan of 2011. The perfect blend of polka dots and corporate personalization.

Rainbows Within Reach was launched in an effort to infuse central Ohio's early childhood community with live arts experiences for young children. Over the last 17 years it has grown into the home of original recorded songs, books and film for children around the country & around the world. I now present conference Keynotes as well as teacher, parent & librarian continuing education & staff development workshops across the country. My presentations focus on the importance of music and movement & the foundational connection between the Arts and literacy. Increasingly giving keynotes for conferences and gatherings, my presentations are a mixture of motivation, stories from the road and audience participation. You can expect a high energy, enthusiastic delivery: filled with singing, dancing and brain research, all while learning sign language in an upbeat, energized, highly participatory format.At this point I have 9 CD albums for use in the early childhood classroom, family room and library setting. The first six have been released by my parent company, Rainbows Within Reach and the recent releases are commissed recordings, created on behalf of Zaner-Bloser Publishing and Redleaf Press.In addition to the writing & recording of original songs I have gone on to create 3 picture books based on the lyrics of my earlier recorded songs. For the books I am author AND illustrator, having created the pictures from fabric as small original quilts. In making school visits I share the original quilt pieces that have become my book illustrations. SKYPE SCHOOL VISITS: Through the wonder of technology, I am now making Author/Illustrator SKYPE visits, so every location is now a possibility to connect and inspire children.

Private preschool/early childhood setting for young children with special needs. My career got underway in earnest, here at the League nearly directly from college back when I was hired in 1979 and began as the new year got underway in 1980. In that first tenure I was called a "Resource Teacher." That was back in the old building. I was the first full time supplement to the classroom teachers & provided all of the art & music & extra help. Years later I returned to the new building and a new position as Support Services Coordinator. I had responsibilities in Art and Music as were my previous responsibilities, but also took on an array of administrative functions from Transporation to Building, Grounds & Maintenance.