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Welcome to The Owl's Tree in Powder Springs, Georgia!
Products : Programs with authors, illustrators, storytellers, etc.
Personal service : a priority – not a slogan.
Reality check: Our educational programs fit the needs, goals and budgets of real
schools and real students. Schools requested them and actively help in making and
keeping them effective. In house programs cost far less in time and money than field
trips and allow all students to participate.
Symbolism : The owl for wisdom; the tree for knowledge.
The Matriarch : Owl's Tree's founder and president is Virginia Meldrum, a.k.a. "Miss
Virginia." She tells stories and gets a bit outrageous even when she writes, so take a
deep breath, relax, and enjoy visiting us and learning about our programs and services.
Pledge: We can help you:
1. enrich lives and curricula (pre-k through high school.)
2. keep cost per student affordable (under $1.00 to $3.00)
3. reduce time and labor for faculty and parent volunteers.
4. modify programs to meet your school's needs and goals.
Reassurance: Since 1990, we've worked with hundreds of schools and watched
thousands of students and teachers go from "Ho-hum" to "Wow!"
Common Concerns:
"How can I bring a good program into my school?"
"How much does it cost?"
"Is it interactive?"
"Does it have academic value or is it just entertaining?"
"Is it really worth the money, time, and trouble?"
"Our school is small - can we get somebody who is effective
with all levels including special education kids?"
"We had a bad experience – how can we prevent another one?"
"Can we get the presenter's books?"
"How do we know how many books to order?"
"What if we order too many or too few?"
"What can we do about late or last minute orders?"
The core concern is: "Is there anybody we can trust to provide effective affordable
programs to meet our specific needs and goals?" Yes! We answer your questions,
work out details, and provide a contract - you know what you are getting and what your
costs are.
Characteristics: Our people have effective communication and presentation skills,
unique backgrounds, and warm personalities plus professional expertise and
experience working with students. Helping youngsters develop their interests and
abilities fosters meaningful interactions rather than passive responses to a
performance.
Role Models: Many of our presenters achieved personal and professional success
despite difficult childhoods. They include:
(1) a storyteller whose childhood tales got her labeled "a natural born liar." Hearing a
recitation of Langston Hughes' poetry inspired her to get a job, enroll in college, and
become one of the first African-American women to graduate from Georgia State
University.
(2) an author, editor and storyteller whose academic ambition as a star athlete was "just
stay eligible." A warning that bad grades can block scholarships moved him to improve
academically, win athletic scholarships, and set college sports records.
(3) an African American author whose Army father sent her to relatives in rural Georgia
at age three when her mother died. As a school librarian, she decided to write books to
help children learn, enjoy and appreciate their heritage.
(4) a storyteller, author, and playwright who struggled with English and learning
disabilities as a Cuban immigrant child. Volunteering to read at her children's school
led to a satisfying career and fame.
(5) an illustrator who was dyslexic and adopted. Struggling with academics and
athletics, he excelled in art. After art school, he cooked in a restaurant and showed his
work at festivals until he earned recognition as an artist and illustrator.
(6) an author and illustrator who was an abused dyslexic child. A high school dropout
and a Marine veteran of Vietnam, he sold his paintings to get through college.
Breaking his back in an auto accident ended his building career so he turned to writing
and illustrating.
Real Proof: Mike "Stinger" Glenn and Willie Brown are living proof that role models
can change young lives.
Mike's first role models were his parents and his friends at The Georgia School for the
Deaf. Between 5 and 12, he decided to learn sign language, become a professional
athlete, and establish a basketball camp for deaf kids even though he has normal
hearing. He achieved all three goals before he was twenty-five! Excelling in athletics
and academics, Mike was an honor student from first grade through graduate school.
Since childhood, he has volunteered to help hearing-impaired children.
Mike's example, mentorship, and basketball camps motivated Willie to change from an
awkward underachieving preteen to a focused athlete and student. Willie became (1)
the first deaf player in division one college basketball, (2) captain of three gold medal
winning deaf Olympic teams, and (3) one of Georgia's first deaf referees in high school
basketball.
Wide-eyed students listen, laugh, learn, dream, and aspire to achieve when Mike and
Willie talk, sign, draw, mime, and do basketball tricks.
Effectiveness: Educators often comment, "You reached children that nobody has
been able to reach." Kids gain practical knowledge plus
inspiration, hope, and courage when they meet adults who overcame childhood
obstacles to achieve success. Touchable, believable role models are powerful tools to
conquer ignorance and failure.
Neither magic nor excuses: Nurturing and shaping dreams is a critical school and
community service. The cost per child of our programs is minimal and the benefits are
huge. Please contact Owl's Tree for information, references and help in creating and
setting
up your programs. Students, teachers, and test scores will benefit!
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