Debbie Clement

Debbie Clement has a 'patchwork quilt' of experience teaching and working with children. She was a Resource Teacher and later a Support Services Coordinator at a private school for young children with special needs with over ten years of full time experience in that setting. Certified to teach Art K-12th grade, another favorite chapter was her opportunity to be the first Art teacher in a brand new elementary school in Monroe WI where she taught Art to K-6th graders on a daily basis. For the most recent 17 years she has had her own company, Rainbows Within Reach, where she has made school visits across the country and around the world, sharing her enthusiasm, energy and excitement. Under her company's banner she has written and recorded over 100 original songs for children onto 7 albums. She has turned 3 of her songs into traditional picture books -- acting as author, illustrator AND publisher. Her picture books include a CD insert of the song (the text of the book) as well as end matter that includes a chart of the sign language to support the song and the music notation as well. All of these were included as requests from teachers familiar with her work. Debbie is now making SKYPE virtual-visits to classrooms around the globe!

Debbie believes strongly in the power of the Arts to make a difference in the lives of children. She infuses all of her projects from the vantage point of ever increasing involvement from participants -- whatever their age and capability. Her songs, known affectionately as "Debbie's Ditties" are simple and repetitive, to reinforce genuine 'singing along.' They are designed from a perspective of current brain research with patterns and sequences that unfold in order..... one verse scaffolding upon the previous. Debbie teaches simple choreography to her songs and dances, with motions that continually cross the mid-line. Her favorite feedback from others is the comment "I can do that!" Typically said with enthusiasm and a smile.

Debbie Clement is the winner of numerous national awards for her work. ~ The Indie Award of Excellence (national award) for her newest picture book, "Red, White and Blue" -- selected as the winning independently produced picture book of the year for 2011 ~ The Dove Award (national award) recognizing her DVD project, "Kweezletown" for its suitability for family viewing ~ The Ella Lyman Cabot Trust (national cash award) recognizing her work for young children with special needs. Year long grant to present ongoing programming to numerous programs through-out central Ohio plus teacher training events on inclusion practice. ~ The Jo Bostic Award presented by Columbus Association for the Education of Young Children for her contributions to the field of early childhood education

Debbie Clement received her BFA (Bachelor of Fine Arts) from Wittenberg University in Springfield OH with a major in Art: graphics, design and illustration with certification to teach Art, K-12. She has acquired additional education hours in the area of Language Arts and Reading.

Debbie Clement speaks around the country at events focusing on her original music and her work as an outgrowth of her travels, children and the Arts. She is increasingly giving keynotes to larger and larger audiences, including the national events of "I Teach K" 2013: opening keynote in Vegas and the National Head Start Association's closing keynote in Dallas. She has presented at numerous national events including four national SDE's I Teach K in Vegas, the most recent 9 NAEYC conventions (National Association of the Education of Young Children) ALA (American Library Association -- as author/illustrator) the Mazza Picture Book Museum's annual national Summer Institute, NHSA (National Head Start Association) the National Family Literacy Council's convention, and the FAME Foundation national summer institute. Debbie writes her own blog at "Rainbows Within Reach" where she shares the excellence in education that she sees during her Author/Illustrator school visits. She is also the 'editor-in-chief' for the collaborative blog, "PreK+K Sharing."