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		Jill C. Veatch, Literary Director Jill earned her BA in Secondary Education in 1974 from The University of Houston with certifications in English and Geography. She continued her education at the University of Houston Clear Lake where she completed Master's level coursework in education and library science. She worked for 4 years as a classroom curriculum teacher in Texas Public schools before becoming a middle school Librarian and Media Specialist where she worked for the next 19 years. Her insights into the literary needs and wants of children is unsurpassed. Jill is our Literary Director and helps select books that are relevant, appropriate, and alluring to our audiences.
		Nathan E. Veatch, MS, Educational Director We were ecstatic when we were able to recruit Nathan out of retirement to serve as our Educational Director and to sit on our board of directors at Julian Franklin Productions. Nathan has Master's of Science degrees in Marine Biology, Biology, and Wildlife Management from Texas A&M University. He is also a certified Master Naturalist with 36 years of classroom teaching experience. He helps ensure that our programs are not only academically accurate but also educationally significant and age and grade level appropriate.
		Andrea Pugh, MA, Executive Director Three time recipient of Houston ISD's "Teacher of the Year" award, Andrea uses her years of classroom management experience to keep our operations running smoothly. Having earned a Bachelor's degree in Cultural Anthropology and a Master's in Museum Science, Andrea is extremely attentive to detail. If it happens at Julian Franklin Productions, it is because Andrea made sure it happened. She handles everything from managing schedules, sending contracts, and printing and distributing posters and teacher guidelines to maximize the effectiveness of every program you book. Hers is the pleasant voice you hear when you call us and if you ever have a problem she is the one who will solve it to your satisfaction before you hang up the phone. Guaranteed.
		Julian Franklin, Educational Entertainment Specialist Julian began performing magic shows and puppet shows at a very early age. While teaching (8 years in the private sector and 8 years as a public school teacher in Texas) he continued his performing in faculty plays and as a semi-professional dancer with The Woodlands Civic Ballet. It wasn't until 2001 that he decided to combine his love of performing with his passion for education and thus Julian Franklin Productions was born. Today, Julian helps write the educational and motivational programs with the help of the incredible faculty he's assembled as well as the occasional help of other consultants hired for specific projects.
		Lynn Dee Smith, Educational Entertainment Specialist Lynn Dee (yeah, she runs it all together like it was one name. Think "Lindy" and you'll say it right) spent 12 years working in the elementary classroom and her ability to connect with this age group made her an obvious choice for our team. But it is her love of reading and her passion for childhood literacy that is most obvious when she presents. Her passion for books and what can be accomplished through regular reading drives her and will carry her far in this organization.
		Jeffrey Gardner, Educational Entertainment Specialist With over 15 years experience as a children’s entertainer, Jeffrey is sure to please both teachers and students alike with his high-octane performances. Jeffrey has toured nationally as a cast member of “The Ronald McDonald Show” and “Bob The Builder LIVE!“  He also hosted the internationally popular children’s show “So You Want To Be…” for The Discovery Channel and most recently was host of the multiple Emmy nominated “Houston Zooperstars Challenge” for CBS TV. You will LOVE having Jeffrey bring high quality entertainment balanced with a high quality message to your young readers.
		Tommy Johns, MA, Educational Entertainment Specialist Author, educator, and entertainer, Tommy Johns has been performing educational programs for children since 1979. With both a Bachelor's and Master's degrees in education his years of classroom experience become obvious from the moment he steps in front of a group of children. When we first saw Tommy present one of his programs in front of a live audience we immediately began planning how we were going to recruit him into our organization. His ability to combine education with entertainment while holding the audience in rapt, engaged attention makes him our kind of presenter!
		Geoff Akins, Educational Entertainment Specialist Geoff Akins is one of our more fascinating presenters. Based out of the Chicago, Ill. area, Geoff travels all over the US and literally around the world presenting his amazing Bubble Show. Combining the wonder of soap bubbles with his years as a classroom teacher, Geoff is able to inspire your students to tackle impossible goals all while teaching them about physical science. You might have seen Geoff on "Sunday Morning" on CBS, or in one of dozens of internet videos, but now you can have the real thing at YOUR school. An international performer at LOCAL rates!!
		Roosevelt Rat, David Hopperfield, and a host of other fun puppets, animals and characters. These guys are a riot. They even went out and got their OWN web site. You'll have to visit it to fully appreciate it. If you click this link you can check it out while keeping this window open. www.RooseveltRat.com
		Madeleine Parker Pugh, Head Puppet Trainer, Crayon Artist, Team Cheerleader, and Corporate Raison d'être Madeleine wears many hats at Julian Franklin Productions. She is our chief humor critic, watching every program often as many as 50 or 60 times each. If she still laughs after that many viewings, then we may keep the show among our offerings. Her dedication to this business is matched only by her insight into what children find funny and memorable. This is probably because she is a child herself, being born around the same time as the debut of the very first Julian Franklin Productions program in May of 2002.

Want to join our team?

• Loves working with children and can engage them on their level
• Enjoys teaching and making a difference in the education of children but is tired of spending more time on paperwork than actually working with children
• Is willing to dedicate time to memorizing a script and rehearsing a program in order to make sure that it is top notch before it is ever delivered at a school
• Is confident presenting in front of large groups of children and adults
• Can afford a period of financial transition while learning the program (summer could work if you are highly motivated)
• Is easy to get along with and can "roll with the punches," often performing in a variety of venues, but mostly libraries, cafeteria stages, and gymnasiums with horrible accoustics
• Owns reliable transportation
• Is ready to wake up every day excited about the amazing work you do in the lives of children!
• Has at least 3 years of classroom experience (public or private, elementary or secondary)
• Comedy or Performance experience a plus, but definately NOT required
• Resides in (or is willing to relocate to) Texas