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Jonathon Rand visit
Getting to meet a real live author is a rare experience for anyone, and will be very exciting to our students. His books have been very popular in the library. This is an experience that is not afforded in the usual school experience, and can be a very inspiring supplement. For students who do not already love to read or struggle reading or writing, it will be encouraging to hear from an actual author, and learn from his feedback and advice.
Mr Rand came to Riverside spoke to the 5th grade students for 1 hour. He collected completed book orders. He took them with him and will have his staff process them and send them back to Riverside, free of charge and autographed for each student.
Progress to Goals
Progress to Goals
Progress to Goals
The visit from author Johnathan Rand encompassed more than one goal. The main goal was to provide the students with an opportunity to meet a real live author, and be able to give the opportunity to hear what he had to share. During the presentation all students were engaged and quietly paying attention to his sharing. They were laughing at his jokes and interacting excitedly when appropriate. It is difficult to hold the attention of a large crowd of middle school students, and Mr Rand was able to do this. After the presentation we had some students who wanted to stay back and engage him in conversation, get things autographed and have a class picture taken with him. We also had about fifty students who ordered books from him. Since his visit, I have been asked, daily, if the books have arrived yet. I have also seen a large uptick in checkout of Mr Rand's books in the library. This presentation had many benefits and encompassed many purposes.
Students Served
Progress to Goals
Progress to Goals
The visit from author Johnathan Rand included about five hundred and fifty of the Riverside students. The presentation included all of our fifth grade students. Also participating were all of the fifth hour English- Language Arts classes. This included two classes from seventh grade (Mr. Krajewski and Mrs Markin's classes) and two from eighth grade (Mrs Houssaiky's and Mrs McMaster's classes). There was also a sixth grade resource room teacher who brought some students down. Also included were some of Mrs Haar's seventh and eighth grade students. Due to the fifth and 6th hour rotation schedule for fifth grade this visit included many of the special area teachers, as well as the classroom teachers and some administrators. Though we were not able to accommodate the whole school for the visit, all students were given book orders to order autographed copies of Mr Rand's books. In total about fifty books were ordered from students who took advantage of this opportunity.
Challenges - Lessons Learned - Changes
Challenges - Lessons Learned - Changes
Challenges - Lessons Learned - Changes
This visit went very smoothly and I am very pleased with the process and results. I would love to do something in the future in which we can include the whole school. This project was very well received, and I have gotten a lot of positive feedback from both students and staff. I would love to do something every year that is related to an author visit or somehow encompasses reading. Logistically it may have to be divided into two different assemblies, but I would love to see it happen. I have spoken to some teachers who say they have ideas they would love for me to carry out. I have also spoken to teachers, parents and students who say they know of authors who may be interested in visiting. With inviting different people, we could highlight different areas of reading, writing, the writing process, becoming an author, what it takes, and many other interest areas. The budget was a little high for a single hour presentation so I may have to look into more cost effective options.
Stories
Challenges - Lessons Learned - Changes
Challenges - Lessons Learned - Changes
Mr. Rand obtained and kept the attention of about five hundred and fifty middle school students. They were quiet and very attentive when asked to be, participated actively in the correct places, and gasped with shocked surprise when he showed them is very accurate depiction of a radio commercial voice. I had both staff and students coming to me afterwards telling me about the visit and how much they enjoyed it. I even had a gym teacher intensely excited to meet his favorite childhood author. Jonathan Rand coming to Riverside was very enjoyable and worthwhile. I appreciated having a famous author come to the school and give a presentation on his experiences. His presentation was very worthwhile and fun, and I loved the jokes he told and the interaction with the audience. His message was valuable and important and he delivered it in a very engaging manner. His visit was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for everybody in the auditorium and I greatly appreciate the fact I was there to experience it in person.
kids testimonials
I believe that the experience of having an awesome author like Jonathan Rand visit our school was beneficial to the students and staff. I believe this because his visit was very insightful and inspiring. He talked about how he became an author, and the jobs he had before that, and how he enjoyed them. This was inspirational because this shows students that anyone can do anything, if they put their mind to it. Also, he taught me that there are many opportunities in life, so you have to take advantage of them while you can. Jonathan Rand also talked about how books aren't just a bunch of pages with words on them, but an entire adventure that you are in. My favorite quote from him is, "Books don't have covers, they have doors." His visit was very insightful because he inspired me to keep reading and writing, and to never give up. Therefore, this is why Jonathan Rand's beneficial to everyone at the school.
Sincerely, Riya P. 5th grade
The presentation was a valuable experience. I loved how Mr. Rand talked to us like he was reading a story --- it gave his conversations so much volume! His humor kept everyone engaged and focused during the presentation. He told us how "Books don't have covers, they have doors" and "Reading isn't a thing you do, it's a place you go". Overall, I'm happy I got to attend this and hope that more opportunities like this become available!
Mariam F. 7th grade
Jonathan Rand's assembly hung my interest for several reasons. One of the main reasons is that he talked about his journey about being a writer, and told us his adventures of being one. He also talked about how he was convinced that he was a good author and how he became one. Jonathan would talk about really engaging topics such as his college, what he used to work as, and how he worked at his temporary job. He definitely made everyone laugh, and entertained everyone with his interesting stories. As Jonathan Ran was talking about his stories he made me realize that I should never give up on my dreams. If Jonathan Rand was able to come back another time, I would definitely want to go because he is one of my favorite authors of all time! In conclusion, Jonathan Rand had an amazing assembly and will continue to be a successful author.
Layan S. 7th grade
On May 6, 2025 Johnathan Rand gave a speech at RMS. I was excited to listen to his motivational speech, as I have been thinking of entrepreneurial opportunities such as writing a book myself during this next summer break. His speech encouraged me to continue with my new idea. It was an honor to hear about his journey to becoming an author, and I hope to one day be just as successful.
Zahraa H. 8th grade
Might have to go get all my American Chiller and Michigan Chiller books for him to sign! lol HOW EXCITING!
Nick Mardeusz gym teacher
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MESSAGE FROM The TEACHER
I was absolutely thrilled to be able to have Johnathan Rand speak to our students. To those students who love to read it was intensely exciting to meet a real author- especially one whose books many of them have read. I had many others who were excited to be able to get autographed copies of his books for them to keep. Even the students who do not usually connect with reading were attentive and participating in the day's events. He held their attention till the very end when he mentioned that he saw in the eyes and demeanor of various students that they were thinking of their writing and how they could expand on it. I am so very grateful to the CCEF for making this visit possible financially. I plan to continue with events like this who inspire young readers and get their minds thinking. "Books do not have covers, they have doors. Reading is not a thing that you do but a place that you go, so the question is, where will reading take you?"
