What exactly ARE Creative School Programs?
That’s a great question! Many children’s entertainers come into schools with a generic assembly show concluding with a thinly-veiled “message” at the end. That’s NOT creative nor is it a school program. My Creative School Programs are designed to either enhance the curriculum, encourage reading, or in some cases, BOTH!
I started writing and producing reading motivation programs in 1999 and never stopped. While I originally created them for public libraries for their Summer Reading Programs, they were quickly in demand for elementary schools. Once I started presenting these programs in schools, I was asked if I could tie in other areas of the curriculum. That’s when Pirates of the Carolinas was born, and remains one of our most popular programs of all time.
With several original curriculum-based programs under my belt, I started getting requests for a Math Program. That led me to a collaboration with a colleague in New York State to bring Money Math Mania to the Southeast. Not long after that, I was contacted about becoming a performer for two nationally touring programs: The Wacky Science Show and Uncle Sam’s Comedy Jam.
“We had Tim Sonefelt come our for our school’s Arts Day this year and he was fantastic! The Pirates program show went perfectly with curriculum, and all ages (young and old!!) were totally enthralled! Tim was fantastic with the kids and all were captivated–and very eager participants! He concluded the program by telling the kids that the best ‘thank you’ was to dismiss silently if they wished for him to return–you could have heard a pin drop! He was LOVED by ALL!! We will definitely be calling on Tim again!”
~ Genie Murrell, Library Media Specialist, Lonnie B. Nelson Elementary, Columbia SC
Were you ever a teacher?
Well… no… BUT I’m asked at nearly every school I visit, “Tim, how long were you a classroom teacher?” I take that as an extremely high complement. Teachers are entrusted with such an important job, I’m extremely honored to be considered somewhere among the ranks. While I’ve never taught school, the programs are written in a way that so effectively communicate the content, that classroom teachers themselves often wonder how long I taught.
What made you want to do this?
Entrepreneurship is in my blood. My grandfather ran his own business. My dad did the same. I followed in their footsteps… sort of. I was never drawn to the family business so I actually ended up with an engineering degree. I worked in that field for several years but was never passionate about it. Then in 1991 I transitioned into commercial art for a printing company. I was more passionate about that, but was pursuing my passion of entertaining that whole time. In January of 2001, I left the corporate world to pursue my true passion of performing. However, by that time I had moved more toward the educational side of performing and most of my appearances were in schools and libraries.
“Tim Sonefelt’s enthusiasm of the characters in Dr. Seuss’ books along with his awesome magic tricks made his Seussical Spectacular a huge hit for our elementary school. I must say that I was a little worried about whether our older students would stay captivated by his tricks, but he was able to keep the students from our youngest to our oldest on the edge of their seats waiting to see his next trick. He was able to deliver an outstanding presentation that kept the kids laughing and wanting more!”
~ Michelle Spires, Hodges Elementary School, Hodges SC