Engaging Author Visits for Elementary Students
A true story of courage, history, and conservation—brought to life through storytelling, hands-on learning, and film.
What Students Will Experience
Students don’t just hear a story—they experience it.
- Live reading of Lola is Lost
- Hands-on interaction with real bison artifacts, including bison hair and horn
- Guided discussion and student questions
- Short documentary on the American bison and the people who saved them
- Interactive lanyard activity where students “become” a real person in the film
The True Story of Lola
Lola is Lost is based on a true story and follows a young bison calf who suddenly faces winter alone in the Rocky Mountains of Colorado. Separated from her herd, Lola must find food, avoid predators, and trust her instincts to survive.
Though timid at first, Lola grows in confidence as she faces each challenge. Her journey encourages students to think about courage, perseverance, and how being brave doesn’t mean being fearless—it means continuing forward despite uncertainty.
History & Conservation
Before viewing the short documentary, each student receives a lanyard featuring the name and photo of a real person from the film—someone who played a role in saving the American bison from extinction.
As students watch, they focus on the person they represent and the actions that individual took to make a difference. This approach helps students connect personally to history and recognize that ordinary people can create meaningful change for animals, communities, and the environment.
What Makes My Visit Different?
- Aligns naturally with elementary curriculum, with especially strong connections to fourth-grade western expansion and U.S. history
- Supports social-emotional learning through themes of courage, resilience, and empathy
- Encourages discussion, critical thinking, and student participation
- Combines storytelling, history, science, and conservation
- Designed to be engaging, age-appropriate, and memorable.
Meet TR Fischer
TR Fischer is a children’s author and former bison educator. Along with her husband, she developed and operated two educational bison attractions in Colorado and Oklahoma, where visitors were able to interact with bison while learning about their history, biology, and near extinction.
With years of experience educating the public through storytelling and hands-on learning, Teresa brings authenticity, passion, and real-world experience into the classroom.
Program Pricing and Scheduling
I offer flat-rate pricing for school visits to make planning simple for schools and educators.
My current rate: $300 for a morning or afternoon visit, including up to two presentations and 75 students. Additional students beyond 75 are $3 per student.
I prefer groups of up to 35 students per presentation. This enables me to interact with students on a more personal level, which is an aspect of my program that they really enjoy.
The rate includes preparation, hands-on materials, and documentary screening.
Travel outside of Torrington, WY, will involve additional mileage and lodging if needed, and is discussed in advance.
My school visit rate is intentionally modest because the program includes the opportunity for me to offer signed copies of my books. Schools agree to share the book order form with parents and guardians. Orders and payments are collected in advance, and books are brought to the visit ready for students and handed out at the end.
What Educators are Saying. . .
“The depth of research you did for the presentation drew students in beyond the story of Lola.”
“The sharing of an author and how her life events brought about a story and then a book… is inspiring to children and adults alike.”
Judy Cummings
Librarian & former fourth grade teacher
Ready to bring an engaging author to your school?
Shoot me some details so we can get the ball rolling.