Penn Yan Elementary School was treated to a special visitor that shared his message of kindness, storytelling, and the power of words. Students welcomed children’s author, television host, and motivational speaker Stanley Tucker for a day of assemblies and classroom visits.
Tucker spent the day connecting with students across all grade levels, delivering multiple assemblies, each one specific to different age groups. His message was simple: be kind, show respect to everyone, and have the integrity to do the right thing—even when no one is watching. He also encouraged students to embrace their voices and not be afraid to share their own stories.
Throughout his presentations, Tucker spoke about the importance of words and how sharing personal experiences can inspire others and build meaningful connections. He emphasized the connection between reading and writing, reminding students that “readers are writers, and writers are readers.”
“Our building was buzzing with energy,” said school librarian Eileen Wunder in a message to families. “Mr. Tucker is not only an author and children’s show host, but a passionate advocate for encouraging kids to share their stories through writing. Most importantly, his message emphasized the value of kindness and hard work.”
After his assemblies, Tucker met with each Pre-K through fifth grade class in smaller group settings, creating a more personal and engaging experience for students. These sessions allowed for deeper conversations about writing and gave students the opportunity to begin thinking about their own stories.
Tucker also introduced students to opportunities to continue their writing journeys beyond the classroom. Through programs available on his website, students can access guided lessons designed to help them turn their ideas into complete books. Young authors even have the chance to submit their work for consideration to be published—an opportunity that has already helped more than 150 children become published authors.