Speaking Engagements

Angela is an experienced keynote speaker with expertise in literacy, writing, and creativity, particularly within education. Drawing on 13 years of teaching experience, her presentations are both practical and relatable, enriched by her journey as an author-preneur. She’s enjoyed speaking at conferences through TLA (Texas Library Association), Region 10 ESC, Region 7 ESC, Region 11 ESC, TALE (Texas Association of Literacy in Education) to name a few. Angela’s engaging style and depth of knowledge captivate audiences, offering actionable insights and inspiration.

Featured Speaking Engagements

Texas Library Association (TLA)

Presenter, Annual Conference (Sessions for High School College Prep and Elementary Writing), Houston, 2026

Texas Association of Literacy in Education (TALE)

Keynote Speaker, Annual Conference, Midland, 2025

Region 7 Education Service Center (ESC)

Keynote Speaker, Annual Curriculum Conference (ELAR), Kilgore, 2024

Presenter, Annual Fall Innovative Teaching & Technology Conference, Kilgore, 2024

Region 10 Education Service Center (ESC)

Presenter, Annual Library Conference, Richardson, 2024 & 2025

Presenter, Annual Literacy Conference, Richardson, 2025

Region 11 Education Service Center (ESC)

Presenter, Annual Library Conference, Fort Worth, 2025

SCBWI, Society of Children’s Book Writers & Illustrators

Presenter, Spring Retreat, North Texas, 2025

Bring Angela to Speak

Angela brings her diverse teaching and writing experiences, her leadership opportunities, and her passion for literacy, creativity, and collaboration to each of her speaking engagements. Participants leave empowered with practical insights they can immediately apply to their unique contexts.

School Events

Literacy Night, World Read Aloud Day, Read Across America Week, Poetry Month, Book Fair, UIL Celebrations, and School Assemblies.

Churches & Groups

MOPS, Mommy & Me Groups, Ladies’ Conference, Single Moms Groups Chamber of Commerce, Business Networking Groups, Women’s Business Groups

Keynote Talks

TLA, Literacy & Education, MOPS Groups, Ladies Conferences, Single Moms Groups, Keynote Speaker

Keynote Talk Options

Picture Books Aren’t Just For Kids
How picture books connect with learners of all ages
Picture This: Creativity & Imagination in the Center of Literacy
How picture books prompt writing and bring joy to learning
Write Away! Why the Writing Process is the Key to Student Success
How teaching the writing process builds confident, independent writers
Bringing Out the Best in Your Students—Because Every Voice Matters
How to bring out each student’s voice in their writing—because it’s there!
Explore Possibilities: Not Every Closed Door is Locked
Opening doors to meaningful experiences for every educator and student

Podcasts

Angela enjoys being a guest on podcasts covering topics related to creativity, literacy, writing, and making meaningful memories and connections.

Podcast Topic Options

Picture Books Aren’t Just For Kids
How picture books connect with learners of all ages
Picture This: Creativity & Imagination in the Center of Literacy
How picture books prompt writing and bring joy to learning
Write Away! Why the Writing Process is the Key to Student Success
How teaching the writing process builds confident, independent writers
Bringing Out the Best in Your Students—Because Every Voice Matters
How to bring out each student’s voice in their writing—because it’s there!
Explore Possibilities: Not Every Closed Door is Locked
Opening doors to meaningful experiences for every educator and student

Literacy & Education Conferences
& In-School PD Trainings

All Things Writing: Why the Writing Process is the Key to Student Success

Nothing is more important than the writing process. Using the SRSD model, Angela walks through the reasons, stages, and realistic goals of teaching students to write. When teachers explicitly teach the process, students can repeat it with confidence and become independent writers—making state testing less stressful and more successful. Walk away with practical strategies to help every student, at any level, reach their full potential and bring out the best in their writing.

Ink & Impact: Nurturing Writing Roots in Elementary School

Together, let’s cultivate the seeds of creative writing, using the art and story in picture books to spark kids’ imaginations and inspire storytelling, expression, and writing. This session shows how librarians, teachers, and even local authors can collaborate to help students thrive and shine—beyond the “stressful” state test. Watch students shift from readers to writers with simple techniques and free handcrafted activities.

Ink & Impact: Watering Writing Roots in Middle School

Let’s water the roots of creative writing right in the heart of the classroom and libraries alike! Led by an author and former middle school ELA teacher, this session shares fun, fast, author-created activities that spark new ideas, storytelling, and writing. Discover ways to collaborate across content areas and with authors, and take away simple, low-prep strategies to bring out students’ best while showing them that writing can be fun—and easier than they think.

Ink & Impact: College Prep Camp in High School

Discover how high school teachers, librarians, CCMR coordinators, and counselors can collaborate to host impactful College Prep Camps in classrooms and libraries. Led by an author, educator, and college essay coach, this session walks through the key parts students need to know—from building a story arc in their Common App applications to crafting compelling admissions essays. Learn what admissions officers look for, how to help students find their voice, apply genre techniques, and use AI ethically. Leave with strategies to empower students with writing confidence that opens doors to college opportunities, including scholarships—while making your high school a hub for their future success.

Librarians & Local Authors Unite: Bringing Author Visits & Writing Workshops to Students (Grades Pre-K to 12th)

This session opens the door to exciting possibilities for librarians and educators working with students from Pre-K through 12th grade. Author and educator Angela Henderson Smith shares how dynamic author visits and writing workshops can spark creativity and confidence in your students. With videos and testimonials from real collaborations, you’ll see practical, budget-friendly ways to book, plan, and follow up so visits are engaging and memorable. Leave equipped with simple tools, fresh insights, and creative ideas—all with the goal of bringing out the very best in your students through storytelling, writing, and authentic author connections.

Write Away: How Picture Books Prompt Writing (Grades Pre-K to 3rd)

Learn and practice specific techniques to take the art & the story in picture books to spark kids’ imaginations to speak, sketch, play, act out, and write their own ideas in story, poem, or journal compositions.

Reading Journey: Book Walks & Deep Dives (Grades 4th–12th)

Often, reluctant readers just haven’t found the right book for them. In student-led book walks, peers share their perspectives and spark interest in books in a way that complements your own encouragement of reading. Then explore how to lead Socratic circles that push students into deeper thinking, critical analysis, and meaningful connections with the text. Walk away with practical strategies to make reading active, collaborative, and fun—all with the goal of bringing out the best in your students as readers and thinkers.

What Librarians Are Saying

"Angela created a very fun and exciting learning environment with differences in each presentation for the different age groups. We had two sessions Pre-K/Kinder and 1st/2nd, and in both presentations, Angela kept the kids engaged and entertained with her fun visuals and bright personality."

"If you are looking to host an author visit, I highly recommend Angela Henderson Smith. She is a former teacher so she understands kids! She is so patient and kind. I always look forward to working with her as I’ve had her twice! She is organized and always involves the kids into her book talks and lessons. Her writer's workshop activity is a must! I cannot recommend her enough. Her booking process is so easy and she makes everything effortless."

"Angela brought her books to life with her engaging reading and information about the writing and publishing process. The writing activities she conducted with our older students were exciting and fun for all the students."

"Angela did AMAZING! She was very attentive to the students as they walked in and sat down for her presentation. She did an incredible job keeping the kids’ attention. I’ll be telling all of our schools about Angela!"

Official Speaking Bio

Angela Henderson Smith is a published children’s author, speaker, and writing coach whose work reaches students from Pre-K through 12th grade, with a special focus on the writing process.

After thirteen years of teaching English Language Arts, she now connects with students through engaging school visits—offering author programs for elementary grades, hands-on writing workshops for middle school, and her College Prep Class: Writing Essays for College Applications for high schoolers.

Angela is also a keynote speaker at educational and literacy conferences, the Assistant Regional Advisor for SCBWI North Texas, and the founder of a nonprofit supporting single moms, and a newlywed after her single mom journey. Angela finds her greatest inspiration in her faith and in mothering three teenagers while spreading positivity and hope in her Dallas community.

Her mission is to bring out the best in others through creativity, connection, and collaboration.

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