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Letters From Teachers, Principals, and Kids may be found below. 

"Linda Oatman High              
Boy, she was cool!
She was great;
She came to our school
She wasn’t late.
We all learned,
She sure did earn
The loud applause,
Louder than Santa Claus.
She’s an inspiration
For our nation!"

-Joanne Pavao, Grade 5 (March 31, 1999) Anastasia School, Long Branch, NJ

"Dear Mrs. Linda Oatman High,

Thank you for coming to our school! I took some of your marvelous ideas about finding what to write. And now I am blossoming to a beautiful poet! . . . I took the time and effort of writing you a poem:

People
Some people are kind,
Some are neat.
But the best people of all
are the ones who write books
for your enjoyment.
Some don’t write good,
but you definitely do
Because you are experienced
in everything you do.
You’re an author,
a mother,
a sure wippty-do.
You’re an idol of
true worship. You are
Linda Oatman High!"

Jacquelynn Rogers, Ohio student 

"Thank you so much for coming to our school, and telling us about your wonderful work! I really enjoyed it! I think it’s really neat that you chose writing out of all of the other careers you could have had! I can’t wait to read some of your books this summer. "

Jessie Antiga, (Fifth Grade) Richmond Elementary, Richmond, Ohio

Dear Ms. Oatman High:

"Enclosed you will find a copy of a story that was written by two of my 5th grade students. The rough draft was begun after your visit to our school. After meeting you and completing a novel study of Hound Heaven, the girls set out on a long process. The finished piece, completed in June, was a hard cover book that was bound by our school’s publishing center. I thought you might enjoy reading the story’s text. In addition to sending you their work, I would also like to thank you for being such a positive influence and role model for my students. Publishing a story is a wonderful accomplishment in itself, but I hope that knowing that it has inspired children to write is also quite an honor. Congratulations on making a difference in the lives of children."

-Kristin Honsel, 5th grade teacher
Lower Milford Elementary School
Coopersburg, PA

"Hi this is Melissa Schoffstall from Halifax Middle School I am in 6th grade now and i can still remember you coming to our school when i was in 4th grade and we recieved the book A Stone's Throw from Paradice. I just now got the chance to read your book since i was so behind on the books that i had bought. Man am i glad i did! I loved the book. I used it for a book report and it has been one of the easiest book reports i've ever had to do and i think that part of it might be because i enjoyed the book so much! I will just say that i'm very sad that i didn't read your book sooner. I was also wondering if there is any other one of your books that i might enjoy since i liked this one so much? If you could please return this with an answer that would be wonderful because i'm really interested. Oh again thanks for coming to our school i really enjoyed your slide show and being able to meet you. Well i'm going to go work on some of my "READING". Well Thanks again and PLEASE write back!"

Halifax Elementary Student (spelling was left intact)

"I just have to tell you that the students are still talking about the fantastic time they had when you visited Wandell School.  I had to email to thank you again.  Parents, teachers, and students all commented on your presentations.
 
I was doing a lesson on Beatrix Potter the other day with the Kindergartners and I read "The Tale of Tom Kitten" and when I was done one little boy said, "Boy that Linda Oatman High can sure write," assuming that you must have written it!  They think you wrote everything in our library!
 
Thanks again for a memorable day for our students.  You entertained, enriched, and inspired the students of Wandell School!"

From librarian Roberta Kleinbard at Wandell School

"The children had a wonderful time.  They couldn't wait to check your books out of the library.  I have read many of the stories that the children wrote during their writing workshops.  It was especially nice to see how excited our reluctant writers were after their workshop."

From teacher Donna Kerstetter at Susquenita Elementary School

"Your assembly slide show was totally geared to and connected with our kiddos.  You helped them to understand that we all are writers and have something worthy to write about.  The feedback from students andt eachers has been very positive.  I believe you have motivated not only many of our students, but also many of our staff to continue to write and dream."

From principal Carol Gilmore at Reidenbaugh Elementary School:

"The school is still bubbling about your visit."

From parent volunteer Ashley Formento at Wandell School, Saddle River, NJ

For referrals about school visits, any of these schools/teachers may be contacted:

Linglestown Elementary
Harrisburg, PA
Contact:  Claire Dostich

Hamilton Heights Elementary
Chambersburg, PA
contact:  Darlene Miley

Jamison Elementary School
Doylestown, PA
contact:  Ellen Hoffman

Crossroads Middle School
Lewisberry, PA
Contact:  Melissa St. Cyr

Shanksville Elementary
Shanksville, PA
Contact:  Tracy Noble

Twin Valley Middle School
Morgantown, PA
Contact:  Peg Dombach

Amity School
Douglasville, PA
contact:  Ed Smith

For a college reference:
Sister Ruth Dowd
Manhattanville College
Purchase, NY
(I was honored to be a faculty member for their prestigious summer writers workshop in 2004!)

I've presented at many conferences, including KSRA, PSLA, PLA, IRA, ALA, Bloomsburg Reading Conference, Childrens Literature Matters, Rutgers Mentors Program, Maryland SCBWI, and many others.