Meet Kathy Stemke

I would like to welcome this week author Kathy Stemke. Kathy has a passion for writing, the arts, and all things creative. She has a bachelor of science degree from Southern Connecticut State University and Covenant Life Seminary, as well as graduate coursework from New York Institute of Technology and Columbia University. Hanging her hat in the North Georgia mountains she has been a dancer, choreographer, teacher, tutor, writer and an antiques dealer for many years.

Kathy, could you please tell us a bit about you? What is your professional background and how did your varied experiences help to get you where you are now?

My background is in physical education, dance, communication arts, and early childhood education. Early in my teaching career I found that the children enjoyed learning more, learned much faster, and retained more when I added movement into the curriculum.

Another aspect of career included writing and directing musical theater, which included dance and photography. I find myself wanting to share in all these areas, but my focus right now is in giving education tips to teachers and writing children’s picture books with movement activities.

I see that you've just recently signed a contract for your first children's book, "Trouble on Earth Day." Could you give a synopsis of what they story is about? What was the goal in this book - what did you want to achieve with it?

“Trouble on Earth Day” is a story about a squirrel named Shelby, her family, and a little yellow songbird, that learn about friendship, cooperation and recycling the precious materials we’re given on earth. This book is a wonderful way to inspire children to rethink the way they use items in their own home. The activities and worksheets found in the back of the book will give parents, teachers and children hours of fun and additional learning tools.

My goal in this book was to teach children the importance of conservation and recycling. Equally important was my intention to teach them to make new friends and help others in need. Being a retired teacher, I also wanedt to supply teachers with a colorful, and innovative picture book that also has the teaching materials they need to create a unit study on conservation.

You also have two more forthcoming titles, "Moving Through all Seven Days" and "Sh, Sh, Sh, Will the Baby Sleep," would you mind giving us an idea of what these works are about?

“Moving Through All Seven Days” is a rhyming book that not only teaches the days of the week but also how to spell each day! In the back of the book there are several pages of activities for parents and teachers to use to reinforce those goals.

“Sh,Sh,Sh Will the Baby Sleep?” is a story of a super hero, Zachary, who gets his sister back to sleep after confronting many dangers. Each danger involves a consonant blend like sh, ch, th, wh, and br. The songs and activities in the back of the book will help teachers and parents reinforce these concepts.

And lastly, how can readers find out more about you and you work?

Readers can visit my blog, website, and article homepages to learn more about me and the projects I’m working on right now.

Education Tipster
Freelancer Kathy Stemke
Helium.com
Associated Content
Kathy Stemke's Website