Virtual Meetings
Testimonials for Virtual Presentations
While visiting with students, librarians, and PTA members in person is super fun, so are virtual visits – and so easy to arrange! Dianna welcomes the opportunity to meet people on-screen wherever in the world you are and whichever time zone you’re in. The librarian or organizer can discuss with her ahead of time what topics to cover, and what would be most beneficial for students in this format. Dianna can present a formal screen-sharing presentation with Q&A, or an informal meeting consisting mostly of Q&A. In the latter, she can answer specific questions in-depth. Sometimes a virtual visit consists of students sharing their own written stories and receiving positive feedback, which boosts their eagerness to keep writing. Dianna will tailor visits, according to the organizer’s preference.
THANK YOU!!!! Our class is beyond excited to write after meeting with you! Thank you for taking the time out of your busy schedule to meet with us and talk to each of our classes. Meeting a real-life author brings such a new perspective to writing that isn’t accessible to so many so your availability, flexibility and personal connection with each of our classes is beyond measurable. Thank you for sharing your talent and time with us and I hope that our new curriculum next year will lend itself to bringing you back into our classroom again next year.
With greatest appreciation,
Mrs. Viernes
1st Grade Teacher
Daniels Run ES
"Dianna Aston’s superpower is to offer children a beautiful, engaging story loaded with essential facts about the natural world. We learned so much about the variety of seeds and how they work by reading 'A Seed is Sleepy' to children, and gained an even greater appreciation, respect and sense of awe when I look at what tiny and huge seeds alike can do!”
Lisa Duchene
Penn State Master Gardener
Co-founder, Bellefonte Community Children’s Garden
“Dianna joined our first-grade class virtually for an author visit. Immediately my kids were engaged and enthralled with her storytelling and vibrant personality. They left with a deeper love for books, and some were encouraged to start writing stories themselves. This year, I have some of those students as third graders, and they still remember Dianna's visit as a highlight of their first-grade year. They have been asking when they will meet her again! Dianna inspired my students to think about stories they read and the stories they can create in a new way, lighting a fire in them for literature and learning."
Hillery Rubens, 3rd-grade teacher, Riverside, CA
Virtual Visits With Dianna
“Adding a special guest talk with Dianna Aston was an engaging class session in my course. She shared her creative process with my teacher education students. Dianna’s insight into writing for children inspired my students to include a variety of texts into their future classrooms.“
Dana Evans, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor
Troy University
Department of Teacher Education
“Our Google Meets meeting was wonderful! Having you not only do an interactive read aloud of "Dream Something Big," but also the Q&A and encouraging my students to be inventors of their own wonderful ideas."
Jenna DuBose
Third grade teacher, Lockhart ISD, Lockhart, TX
“My kindergarten students were thrilled to have a special Zoom meeting with Dianna Hutts Aston. Dianna was engaging to my young students. After we listened to her read, “Loony Little,” she helped my kids make connections and apply critical thinking about how they can make a difference in slowing climate change. Her work is perfect for connecting students to nature, inspiring them to wonder, and provoking them to think critically."
Lydia Panvini
Kindergarten Teacher, Judson ISD, Converse, TX
“That was the most amazing experience EVER!!!!! I loved all of the messages you cascaded through virtual space and time: Never give up, dream something REALLY big, learn STEM subjects because they are the future of space exploration…and so many more golden nuggets of wisdom. She is a magnificent person, among the best of the best walking this planet.”
Hillery Rubens
First grade teacher
Riverside, CA
“They were as fascinated and engaged with her in person as they are when reading her books. She inspired their curiosity. One of my second-grade students commented that her words make things come alive. An excellent experience!”
Kimberly Ward
Pike Road Historical School Montgomery County, AL
"Thank you so much for taking the time to Zoom with us today. The classes were so excited to be able to "meet" a real author of the books we have been reading. You were so genuine and made each person feel that their question was valued and important."
Cindy Roosma-Foster, Snohomish, WA.
"My favorite part of our Evening with an Author event was watching Ms. Aston interact with our students and their families during the author signing portion of the event. Taking the time to connect with each person in attendance is a rarity and something my students will never forget!"
Stacie Williamson, elementary school librarian, New Braunfels, TX ISD
Educators
To inquire about hosting Dianna at your school, please contact Sarah DeVore at How Now Booking.
