BOOK TOUR

I can’t believe how long it’s been since I posted here. Wow! My book was published in November 2016 and I hit the ground running, it seems! I’m so excited and extremely grateful that Ellie Rae Discovers Eight Ways to be SMART has been received so enthusiastically, not only by my friends and family, but by the multiple intelligences/education communities, as well. I have shared my passion for MI teaching/learning with my students, teachers, parents and future teachers for many years; but, I’m thrilled to have the opportunity to share Gardner’s theory with little children, on their level, in the form of this book. Understanding they are SMART, just SMART in their own special way, helps to lay a foundation of self-awareness and self-confidence at the beginning of their formal education. Knowing they have the ability to nurture and grow their intelligence is a profound motivation and terrific encouragement as they grow and develop. MI also goes hand-in-hand with Growth Mindset, which is being incorporated into the curriculum in numerous schools.

It was so much fun to be working with my dear friend, Kelly Baloun, again. Kelly is now the Director at Tiny Tots of Apopka. We have known one another for over 17 years and we have worked together to spread the word about MI for many of those years. Her daughter, Ellie Rae, is the title character in my book. I spent an entire day at Ellie Rae’s school, speaking to the entire student body. It was invigorating! The students were very well behaved and they asked questions that really showed higher order thinking skills. Over the weekend Kelly and I presented at the Association of Christian Schools International conference. Those who attended our sessions were very receptive to my book and Gardner’s theory. We discussed practical application for their classrooms and daily lives. MI works! And more and more people are realizing the value of perceiving children through an MI lens or perspective. I had a great time in December, visiting my great-niece’s school and meeting Camden folks for a Book Signing at Camden Jewelry and Gifts. What a fun time! I will be traveling to south Alabama for several book signings and back to the Orlando area to participate in a couple of Literacy events in February and March. If you would like for me to stop in at your child’s school or, if you’re a teacher and would like to arrange for a visit, I’d love to schedule something with you! Happy reading, friends!