I love school visits.
Really, I do.
Maybe it’s because I have the funny bone of a middle schooler. Perhaps it’s those two degrees in education Purdue University presidents signed with my name on them. Whatever it is, I’d love to bring my mojo to you and your students.
My presentations are interactive for preschoolers through college students and even book clubs, including activities to get your writers writing. I love the energy learners bring when we spend time together. I’ll match theirs, yet know I’ll be caffeinated to make it happen. Aren’t we all during the school day?
Why Jen Tucker?
I wish an author had visited my classroom during my school days. That would have left an early impression on me and, perhaps, made me realize sooner it was a real job that real people can have. Now, I’m the author who visits, and it’s a memorable experience I do not want your students to miss.
My work as a teacher, speaking on stages, years in advertising and video production, and time in front of the camera means I’m not shy. I understand how to captivate your students, and we’ll have some serious fun. From preschool to college classrooms across the country, I have spent time making memories with students for 23 years. I’d love for my next stop to be at your classroom door.
If you’d like me to visit during the school year, please get in touch after you’ve read the points below.
Things to Ponder
- Decide if my visit is for a single class, multi-grade, assembly, or multi-school visit.
- Choose the best format: a read-aloud, writing skills session, career exploration conversation, or something that aligns with a current project and state assessment standards. A former teacher here: I get it!
- I am Secure Volunteer approved. Please let me know as soon as possible if your school district requires a different background check. I’m happy to accommodate.
- Our calendars fill up quickly, don’t they? Let’s set a date ASAP to ensure your spot.
- In-person or online: which type of visit works best for you? Check them out below and let me know!
I never want cost to be a factor that keeps you from inviting me to spend time with your students. If my fees do not meet your budget, let’s discuss it and make it work.
IN-PERSON
VISITS
For Technology needs, please have access to a
- computer
- projection screen
- or SmartBoard
- and a working microphone for large gatherings.
LOCAL
For Schools Within Greater Lafayette, Indiana, my standard honorarium fee is $250 for a half day (2 presentations) and $500 for a full day (4 presentations and lunch with students or teachers).
NON-LOCAL
For Schools Within 60+ Miles Outside of Greater Lafayette, Indiana, my standard honorarium fee is $350 for a half day (2 presentations) and $700 for a full day (4 presentations and lunch with students or teachers). Please suggest a reasonable travel allowance (hotel, meals, etc.) or consider partnering with other area schools to share expenses. If you can help me book three additional school visits in your area during your visit, I will cover my travel expenses, and no per diem is required.
My Visits Include a presentation and Q&A time. Check out the program options below.
LIBRARY
VISITS
Library Visits are a great way to gather for story time, talk about the writing craft, and connect with emerging authors. My standard fee is $300 for a one-hour session with time to sell and sign books afterward. Additional fees may apply for transportation depending upon location or if I have other events currently booked in your area.
Virtual School
Visits
Virtual School Visits
$150 for one standard 1 hour session.
$300 for one standard premium session, for one hour, with no max students in one building.
$50 fee per additional group, school, or campus.
Book Clubs
Book Clubs are my kind of people to hang out with! Contact me, and we’ll chat about spending time together.
Programs Available
Choose from these presentations below.
- Storytime Grades PreK-5
- It’s picture book time, friends! This presentation consists of a quick conversation about how I became a writer, we’ll read one of my books together (I reveal all the Easter eggs in the illustrations!), and finish with a Q&A. I will differentiate our conversation and presentation length per grade level.
- The Writers’ Room Grades 5 and up
- Behind the scenes, your favorite series has a room where all the magic happens: the Writers’ Room. In this session, we’ll talk about the television shows we love, why we connect with them, and how we can use the inspiration from characters and storylines we love to draw in our ideal readers. Students will leave ready to work on their own book projects that align with your curriculum standards and needs.
- Now THAT’S an idea! Grades 3 and up
- Where do writers get their ideas from? Are all the good ideas already taken? Can I rewrite my favorite book and change the names to protect the innocent? We’ll cover how writers find ideas, convert those into stories, and write-write-edit-rewrite to make them shine. We’ll also discuss how to find the words and keep writing when it feels like a struggle to bring your story to life.
- How does a book become a book-book? Grades 2 and up
- It takes a process—and a village—to make a book into a book-book. If a book is born in the head of a writer that ends up in the hands of a reader, who are the people who help produce it along the way? This interactive session discusses the job roles and people that bring our favorite reads to life.
- Yeah, something else, Jen, PLEASE? All the grades
- Do you have a writing project in your teacher planner I can help you with? Can I cover a topic and put my author spin on it to meet your curriculum goals and objectives? PLEASE reach out, and let’s craft a presentation together.
I meet with kindergarteners for 30-40 minutes. Sessions for grades 1-12 for 45-60 minutes.
It’s A Date
Once a date is chosen, I’ll work with your school representative to secure a simple, signed contract for my visit, and we’ll also create a schedule that works. Full-day elementary school visits may look something like this:
- 1st Session: Kindergarten friends
- 2nd Session: 1st and 2nd grade students
Let’s do lunch! (students or teachers)
- 3rd Session: 3rd and 4th grade students
- 4th Session: 5th grade students
- Personalize Book Orders
- It’s time to go. Until next time, friends!
BUT WAIT, THERE’S MORE!
BOOK DISCOUNTS AND FREEBIES
- I always leave a personalized book behind for your school’s library to thank you for my visit.
- For all-day visits that include a private lunch with a small group of students, I have a special gift for each one. Please let me know ahead of time how many will be joining me.
- See order forms for discounts on multiple book purchases.
SAVE THE DATE
Time keeps slipping away, so let’s set a date ASAP! Please book your school visit at least 4 to 6 weeks in advance to ensure your space and time to prepare students for my visit, collect book orders, and for book orders from my publisher to arrive.