"...If you are looking for an author for your students, I recommend her without qualification... Her ability to teach and keep students engaged K-5th is amazing."  Ann Fessler, Counselor  Voyager Elementary School "...tremendous impact on every student in our school. Vernise is a master at bringing out the best in all students and giving them confidence."  Lee Smith, Principal Voyager Elementary School "...dynamic participatory format.terrific presentation style makes learning fun while maintaining a keen  focus on content to be learned. Cheri Vermillion, Education Coordinator Mendocino County, CA "...Vernise...the Bette Midler of ECE...has the ability to assemble people like no one I've seen... [She] understands the depth of children's feelings." Karen Spevak, Teacher Caspar Children's Center

   Vernise Elaine Pelzel is an award winning educator and author of two children's books, plays, scripts for a television show, articles, and a bereavement workshop manual. She has shared more than 50 school assemblies. Her fast paced, effective presentation draws on thirty years of multifaceted classroom experience, teaching through public and private systems. She motivates even reluctant writers to greater confidence and inspired writing. Vernise is a full member of the Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI).

Group Presentations Vernise gives three group presentations. Usually they are divided by age levels: K-1, 2nd-3rd, and 4th-5th. She covers where ideas come from, how to grow stories, creating characters, idea files and other aides, roadblocks to creating, and the process the manuscript travels to become a book. With very young children, she focuses more on Hugs on the Wind. The older groups will have more focus on The Story of Orange, using Hugs to illustrate the full process a manuscript goes through. Vernise's intentions are to excite the children about their writing and raise awareness that writing is a process.

Parents Night The "C" Factor gives parents understanding why creativity is linked to self esteem, and how this can greatly affect academic performance. Parents will learn some fun ways to support and grow a child's creativity at home. Also, since children's lives are filled with separations, like missing a teacher during summer vacation, or a friend who moves away, to missing the family pet while on vacation, the role creativity can play in helping children cope with missing someone will also be shared. The "C' Factor is designed to excite parents about incorporating more of their child's creativity into home life.

Children's Voices Writing Labs and / or Creativity Connection Workshops can be arranged when Vernise's schedule permits. Students have opportunity to work with Vernise in multiple sessions to increase confidence in speaking, writing, expressing, and attaining higher order thinking skills. Contact Vernise for availability and detailed curriculum objectives.

Guidelines for Vernise Elaine Pelzel's school visits Email: nisee@mac.com