"Learning should NEVER be boring." Susan Frizsell

MY GOAL: How can I make this SO interesting, that people say "What is going to happen next?" When you have their attention, then you can educate.

I have been told by employers:

"You can't make it FUNNY. It has to be professional. You can't use magic tricks, that's silly. Don't wear anything that is distracting when presenting. You can't just go ROGUE!"

I say WATCH ME.

I never understood WHY we can't make learning exciting???

I have always been creative. Art, theater, dance, singing. (I don't sing WELL, I just love to do it). I attended a high school of the arts and graduated college with a BA in Fine Arts, then went back for my degree in education.

Every age I worked with, every subject I taught, I looked at it as a challenge that needed the most creative and fun solution.

If I was enjoying what I was teaching then the students would too.

I especially loved preschool. That age group was where I worked most of my years because you're "allowed" to play and learn!

Years of lesson creation, trials and errors, and now, all of my BEST, effective ideas I pass along to you!

It's not that I don't take education seriously, I know my stuff.

I have the experience, the schooling, the trainings

* Teaching art classes and working the summer camps for the YMCA during college

* Full Time Preschool teacher, working with 2 through 5 year olds

* NC Public Schools: Kindergarten, 1st grade, Middle School Art and a gifted student literacy class

*Won NC Middle School Teacher of the Year for Region 8

*More teaching preschool and an afterschool special class, turning books into actual adventures

*Curriculum Coordinator for the Nashville Public Library's outreach program Bringing Books to Life, performing/creating active story times and literacy based PD for educators, tripling the number of participants, becoming a Training Specialist

*TrainTn Approved original professional developments

*Program Manager/Video Director for NPL's Begin Bright literacy initiative

*Keynote and Session Presenter for Universities/Colleges, Literacy Organizations, Williamson/Davidson County Public Schools, United Ways across the country, Non-profits, Private Preschools

Educators of all ages struggle, they are overwhelmed and underpaid.

Attention spans are short.

I have observed over the years how behaviors have changed. I knew it was more important than ever to create curriculum that was active.

Especially with reading. Having kids sit still the entire time you read aloud is almost impossible. Why give advice on what research shows, when you don't teach how to ENGAGE the kids attention first?

Engage them, then educate them. Feed their natural curiosity.

I know teachers in this space need PRACTICAL, budget-friendly, simple, yet effective ideas to be able to teach.

I have those ideas, and I know they work, as I have used them over and over with hundreds and hundreds of kids. That's my research.

All you need is to bring your love of working with young kids, and I'll show you how to get them to love what you teach!

Then, work is what it's supposed to be, joyful!

Fast Facts (and some fun links!)

14

phonics videos made for kids on youtube (the linked one is my favorite)

1

crush, on children's book author mac barnett!!!

I love him!!! watch here

2

kids; boys, who have been talked into dressing in costume for my work. Shhh....don't tell them but you can watch here.

12

Sequined jackets, a variety of styles and patterns!

I get excited about..

making videos using characters

Especially when I was making story time videos for kids with the library during THAT TIME, that we all stayed home. It was SO fun! My boys helped with that too....

Sparkly Accessories

Rhinestones, glitter and sequins oh my! I love my T-shirts and sweat pants too, but I always add the sparkle no matter what I wear.

costumes

I wear costumes sometimes for school visits. I don't bother to change out of them when I leave, usually running errands that way.

It's pretty funny the looks I get. But people are usually smiling while they are asking questions, so that's a win for me.

What Preschool Directors Say...

About a Fabfriz school visit, particularly the tent adventure, Holiday Cookie Search. Curious about creative activities like these? Check out my Lesson Ideas page!

Lesson Ideas

Free Video

THE BEST TOOL I HAVE EVER USED...

TO GRAB KIDS ATTENTION! EVERY TIME I WOULD TELL TEACHERS ABOUT IT DURING MY WORKSHOPS, EVERY DIRECTOR WOULD GO OUT AND BUY THEM FOR THEIR TEACHERS. WATCH TO SEE WHAT IT IS, HOW TO GET ONE AND HOW TO USE IT.

YOU'LL LOVE IT!

I love to present and connect with teachers in person, or over zoom!

I can even create a custom training for your needs, STEAM based, Math, Art, Literacy...let's talk about some great ideas!

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