School Visits

Now booking for the 2024-25 school year!

Using games, props, songs, and quality, engaging content, I will inspire students and teachers while promoting literacy. K-2 sessions often focus on my book Elliot Mack, Quarterback and grades 3-8 are centered on Funky Fungi. Each session will be tailored to the school and age level of the students and will include:

Steps in my writing journey, including examples of my childhood writing, first publications, and the path to publishing
Tips for revising and rewriting with various drafts taken from my books
Nonfiction No-No’s: My top tips for writing the truth and nothing but the truth
Reading from my books interspersed with audience participation
Question and answer session

Additional topics to be included depending on the age group:

Authors and the creative process
Biographies and how to research them
Show vs. Tell, an interactive revision session
Making Literary Devices work for you (By starting with examples, then providing sentence stems, students will brainstorm their own sentences and have a chance to share their ideas.)
Writing Workshops with smaller groups

Custom sessions and small group writing workshops are also available. A round-table lunch with select students or teachers is also welcome.

Items needed to make the day run smoothly:

A large screen for my presentation
A projector
Speakers
Microphone (clip-on wireless is preferred)
Teachers and aides must stay for the presentation (I hope they want to!)

Testimonial: “Wonderful pictures, facts, information, and interactive activities. Just fabulous! Alisha is a top-notch presenter.” ~Lora Stead, 6th Grade Teacher, Utah Connections Academy

Testimonial: “Just so you know, every day at least one student, usually more, has come into the library looking for your book. It has been checked out. There are 4 holds on the book already. Thank you, Alisha, for your presentation. I think the students really enjoyed it! I know I did!” ~Clarissa Grindle, (Now Retired) Librarian, Great Oaks Elementary School, Round Rock, Texas

Testimonial: “Mrs. Gabriel’s presentation was engaging. The students were mesmerized by Mrs. Gabriel sharing her journals about her writing as a young child. She captured the student’s imagination.” ~Susan Rantz, TAG Teacher, Great Oaks Elementary School, Round Rock, Texas

Testimonial: “You did a fabulous job tailoring your presentation to the specific needs requested by our writing committee lead. The students have made several comments about learning the process of writing to publish. Many didn’t realize authors have other jobs as well. This helped them realize they can become authors as well. The students also enjoyed getting to ask questions one on one – it made the experience personal and meaningful.” ~Amanda Rushing, Librarian, Cedar Creek Elementary, Bastrop ISD

Please contact me for more information or to set up a school visit.

email: agabrielmusic (at) gmail (dot) com

*Preferred Fees for School Visits

If you’re in Central Texas, I’ll come to the area for a single day, but for all other areas, there’s a two-day minimum due to travel. Reaching out to other schools to schedule a visit can keep costs lower. Also consider applying for a grant, reaching out to parent teacher organizations, or send me a proposal with your school information and available budget. *All requests will be considered.

A full day will include three 45-50 minute sessions on the same day.

$1250 for a full day in Central Texas only.

$1250 per full day, plus travel costs, anywhere outside my local area.* If I have family or friends in your area, I’ll stay with them to keep costs low and enjoy their company. I will also cover the cost of my own meals.

*Outside of Central Texas, a minimum of two consecutive days in the area is required.

*Virtual Visits: $250 for each 50-minute session for your school only. No recording.

*Book sales – This is optional, but encouraged. Families may use my order form to pay for books online, you may order directly from the publishers, or arrange orders through a local bookstore. Schools may schedule one additional time on the same day of the presentations to have books autographed.