Dr. Martha M. Harrison, Ph.D. - Professor, School of Education and Leadership,Notre Dame De Namur University
Lady Emma In Her Land Of Wonder is Dr. Martha Harrison's first children's book in a series of six. Dr. Martha M. Harrison’s previous books have all had an academic focus on language play, reading, children’s books, and the integration of the arts across the curriculum. She has trained over 2000 teachers in teaching reading and writing to children and young adults in grades K-12 and served as a designer of reading and writing curriculum and assessments for the State Departments of Education in Tennessee, Mississippi, Florida and California. For the past two decades, her passion for literacy has guided her teaching of children’s and young adult literature and her successful authoring and implementation of reading and writing curriculum in education.Notre Dame De Namur University
She is a member of the Association of Children’s Literature (AChL) and the International Reading Association (IRA). Her scholarly articles have been published in Florida English Journal, a scholarly journal of the National Council of Teachers of English (NCTE); The New Advocate, a scholarly journal For Those Involved with Young People and Their Literature; and the National Education Association Library Series (NEA). She has conducted numerous workshops on comparing the works of Maurice Sendak and Theodor S. Geisel, “Dr. Seuss”.
She is currently teaching a course on Arts Integration Across the Curriculum at Notre Dame de Namur University in Belmont, California near San Francisco. Among her many scholarly publications is an early 1990 article entitled Teaching Thinking Skills to Gifted Children Using Children’s Literature and The Arts.
Yvetta Franklin - Elementary Teacher, Hayward Unified School District
Successfully taught 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th grades and adults. Currently teach 2nd grade SEI class , Academic Language Development.
Kirk Waller - Storyteller
With a lifelong love of story, literature and the visual arts, Kirk Waller has been immersed in these art forms for over 20 years. He summons all of his God-given talents and masterfully fuses them together - spoken word, rhythm, music and movement to create an unforgettable storytelling experience.He has garnered national recognition for his abilities, including being awarded the J.J. Reneaux Emerging Artist Grant by the National Storytelling Network, receiving a Parent’s Choice Foundation GOLD award for his latest CD, “But Why? Stories, Music and Songs”, First Place in the Phi Rho Pi National Forensics Speech Championship and was also a Marin Arts Council Community Arts Grant recipient for his work with Fair Housing of Marin, Colors of Diversity Storytelling Project.
Kirk received his Bachelor's Degree in English and his Master's in Creative Writing from San Francisco State University. Kirk has told at festivals, schools, libraries, churches and special events in the San Francisco Bay Area, where he resides with his two great boys and across our nation, including the National Storytelling Festival in Jonesborough, TN.
Kirk Waller was awarded the coveted J.J. Reneaux Emerging Grant in 2010 by the National Storytelling Netork. The Emerging Artist Grant awards a monetary benefit and national exposure to a storyteller of major and unique performing talent who has not yet received wide public recognition.
“Although there were other excellent candidates, the committee was unanimous in its selection of Kirk Waller,” said the Review Committee, J.J. Reneaux Emerging Artist Award. “We were struck by the commitment and passion he brings to his craft and the wide range of skills he possesses.” (view complete press release). Kirk is a member of the National Storytelling Network, National Speakers Association, Storytelling Association of California and Delta Wordweavers. He is also the Director of Storytelling Programs at Stagebridge Senior Theater Company in Oakland, CA.
Janette...ikz - Spoken Word Poet
MissTerious Janette…ikz (pronounced mysterious genetics) is simply a young woman who is in love with Jesus Christ and has decided to use every gift He has given her for His glory. She has been performing music, poetry, and dance for over 15 years.She currently co-owns Zeneith Performing Arts and is an official P4CM POET. She has also taken part in sharing the word of God at many conferences and churches. By Gods grace, she has been featured on the cover of Testify Sister magazine and most recently featured on the cover of Spoken Vizions Magazine. She is a member of P4CM where she is currently serves as the Praise and Worship Leader. Her album is set to release this year. Her ultimate goal is to keep the mind and heart of a servant!
