The year of school visits kicked off for me at lovely Leesburg Elementary, where I met librarian Connie Watters, Principal Randy Dahms and Denny Hoff, of Warsaw Community Schools. The Leesburg students were full of terrific questions. I had a particularly good time meeting with a small group of young authors.

One of the highlights of my life as an author was my visit to Harrison School in South Bend, Indiana in March, 2008. Wow! It was a celebration.

The creative educators of this school had taken every opportunity to prepare the students with art activities, writing activities, geography exploration, critical thinking work, and math. 

This is a public school in which many students do not have the economic advantages of other student bodies. But they sure have excellent staff and teachers who form a school that challenges and lifts all the students to excellence. It was clear in the way the students interacted with me. They were creative thinkers and were ready to brainstorm and embrace new concepts. They had critically read my books and were ready with insightful questions.

Each classroom did activities. I took lots of photos; many are sprinkled throughout this site.  

I enjoyed a terrific luncheon with students who had won a “lunch with the author” essay contest. Each received a signed book, special placemat and a place of honor at the table. I so enjoyed visiting with all of them. It was a truly special time for me. I have their essays, bound in a book. 

My thanks to Judy Wilson and the crew at Harrison School!