Education Students Publish Children’s Books

The Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. School of Education at St. John Fisher University is dedicated to influencing future generations of students and educators. Two students, Vera Ahiyya and Jenna Tremaine, have recently written and published children’s books in an effort do just that.

Tutu Teacher Tackles Three Books in 2022

Graduate student and tutu connoisseur, Vera Ahiyya, is currently studying in the School’s library media program. Known as the “tutu teacher” because of her love of wearing tutus, singing, and dancing, Ahiyya is also a kindergarten teacher, educational presenter, and consultant with a published children’s book and more writing on the way.

Ahiyya’s current book, Have A Voice, is a story that celebrates the unique qualities of each individual child. The story empowers children to make change for good and helps grown-ups find their voices as well. Her first professional development book, Rebellious Read Alouds, aims to spark conversation in regards to race, identity, and social justice in the classroom. Lastly, KINDergarten: Where Kindness Matters Every Day, tells a story about kindness in the classroom.

Find Ahiyya on her blog, and on Twitter and Instagram (@thetututeacher).

Dream Big, Work Hard, Fly High

Undergraduate student Jenna Tremaine is currently studying for her Bachelor of Science in Inclusive Childhood Education. With her degree she hopes to encourage students to do their best, which is the main goal in writing her book, Soaring through Glenn Curtiss’s Growth Mindset: Dream Big, Work Hard, Fly High.

Tremaine wrote this book to teach young people about Glenn Hammond Curtiss, an aviation and motorcycle pioneer from Hammondsport, New York. Known as the “Fastest Man on Earth” and the “Father of Aviation,” Curtiss left a lasting impression on the aircraft industry and from a young age, designed and built engines for motorcycles and planes. Tremaine’s book tells the story of how Curtiss was always working, learning, and growing and seeks to inspire children can do the same.

Find Tremaine and her book on Amazon.

This article was written by Grace Valenti ’24, an English major at St. John Fisher University. Completing a Certificate in Public and Professional Writing, Valenti also serves as the PR Writing intern in the Office of Marketing and Communications.