What I Wish I’d Learnt in School - An Author’s Wish List

Jen McVeity, Author

 

For the last twenty years, award winning author Jen McVeity has held an unbroken record in her school - no, not for obedience or brilliance, but for the most number of books confiscated in one day. Gifted kids and creative kids don’t tend to fit into the mold. So how can we challenge and support them? Entertaining, thought provoking and passionate, Jen takes you through an author’s wish list and reveals what is necessary to succeed in the creative world. She argues that creative kids don’t want more English or Art, they need editing skills (see her workshop), real life speaking practice, knowledge of children’s publishing markets, leadership skills and even a mastery of accounting! Jen not only shows why, she also shares a myriad of ideas as to how schools (and families) can nurture the creativity in children. It is a compelling and very practical session on the need for schools and parents to negotiate with gifted kids, mentor them and to continually think outside the square.

Feedback from October 2000 VAGTC (Victorian Association of Gifted and Talented Children) Conference on ‘What I Wish I’d Learnt in School’.

‘Wonderfully fresh. Thank you.’ (Fran Devine)

‘Great - entertaining and practical.’ (Tracey Ward)

‘A warm, informative and enthusiastic workshop with a delight in life and a warmth for children that was refreshing.’ (Megan Moore)

‘ Enlightening, inspiring, interesting - especially the comments about setting challenges to help children grow and strengthen.’ (Debra Martin)

 

Bionote

   

Award winning author Jen McVeity is known for her fast moving plots, dynamic dialogue and wry humour - and as a speaker she’s a lot like that too! Dreamcatcher, her latest young adult novel was bid for by three top New York publishing houses - it is on the NY Library’s Best Books list Year 2000, short-listed for the Environment Award and has just won the Family Award in Australia. As the Australian head of the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators, Jen is the first Australian ever to be elected to their International Board of Directors. She is a passionate advocate for the rights of gifted kids all over the world.

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