What do I do?

I enjoy talking with students, teachers, librarians, and parents on a wide variety of subjects related to reading and writing. I’m flexible and feel comfortable working in many different settings.

Jane meets a young student

How do I do it?

If I’m in a classroom or working in an auditorium with under fifty students, I will usually begin my presentation by taking questions. I find that this quickly tells me what students have on their minds and where their most sincere interests lie, and it leads to a more lively interaction than if I hold forth and then take questions at the end of the presentation.

What information do I always manage to work in?

My emphasis, when I speak to students about books, reading, and writing, is upon why we read and write, what meaning does reading and writing have to us personally and what value does it have in the world.  Sometimes the conversation is specific, about particular books and their effect upon our lives. Sometimes it is more general and philosophical. I am very comfortable letting students guide these conversations and participate as much as they can, and I am always very happy if I can leave a group more curious, engaged, and animated than I found it. However, if a group cannot be engaged in this way, I will take over and teach in a more traditional manner.
If students have been writing, then the sessions may turn more upon writing, how to think about writing and how to actually go about doing it.

Jane receives a present from students


For adults:

When I speak to groups of educators and parents, I present a prepared talk on a particular subject of general and timely educational and/or social interest, depending upon the age group of greatest concern to those parents and educators, and agreed upon in advance. Most recently, as the author of The Cello of Mr. O, I’ve been invited most often to speak to adult audiences on the subject “Can Books Help?” or “How Can Books Help?”, topics of particular concern to parents and educators since the events of 9/11.

My Books in the Classroom:

Since I started out as an educator and a textbook writer, my books seem to fit readily into school curriculae, and they prove useful in classrooms, comfortably supporting such diverse units as “Snails” “Sibling Relationships” “Slavery” “World War II” “Endangered Species” and “The Family”, among others. When I visit a school, I enjoy having time to speak with teachers about the ways my books can best be used in classrooms and how they might fit into an  established curriculum at particular grade levels.

Visiting Schools, attending conferences, etc.:

I live in Northern California, but I don’t mind traveling. I like to make arrangements, financial and otherwise, with each group individually. Sometimes several schools in the same area can arrange for visits during the same day, for example, so they can pool financial resources. Usually something can be worked out.
University of Chicago Laboratory School

*Speeches/Panels:

I’m especially interested in speaking to groups of adults, educators and parents about current issues of common interest and concern.

Book Sales and Signing:

I’m happy to autograph any books sold at school visits, lectures, etc.

Wish List:

• At schools, well-prepared students
• Clip-on lapel mike (first choice)
• Lectern to lean on
• Someone to feed me books when I’m
  signing

To find out more, or to arrange a visit to your school or conference, contact Jane:
janecutler@earthlink.net

Click here to see an example of a particularly memorable invitation to speak!

Click here to see a list of some of Jane's awards and media appearances!