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SHANA KELLER

Author

So at the very memorable school visit (at Washington in Raleigh), I met the sweetest second grader. Not exactly precocious…more like an old soul with an enchanting personality. He instantly started sharing all these facts about Harriet Tubman with me, and of course, I instantly shared mine with him. It was like talking to an old friend. 🤎☺️

Right before my presentation, his teacher leaned in and told me how obsessed he is with Harriet Tubman. Then she said, “He’s going to do something amazing one day. You can just tell.” I was in complete agreement…and also heard her accent. Ireland, she said. 🇮🇪

I said, “No way! One of my favorite poems in the world is by an Irish author (he highlights the hypocrisy the freedom our flag represented in 1838 in this poem).” Hello, serendipity. ✨

I wanted to share it with them, but since we were about to start, I boldly said I’d recite it for everyone, fully assuming I could deliver it in front of a couple hundred students. 😅

Well.

I wildly overestimated my ability to recall a poem impromptu in a packed room.

I got the first two lines out and then… NOTHING. Completely blank. The Irish teacher even tried to look it up, but we could only find those same two lines. I was dying on the inside. And then I had to give my presentation, the whole time thinking, why do I do this to myself? 😅🫠

But I pushed through, feeling slightly off and discombobulated, but we made it. The students asked great questions, we read the story, my new buddy loved the ending with the Harriet reveal, and just as one of the first classes was being dismissed-it hit me.

I remembered the poem!!

Of course I said, “WAIT! I remember it!” They all sat back down. I froze again. This time only for a few seconds. I laughed nervously, then finally heard that little voice inside say, "You know this, Shana. Just say it."

And OMG… I DID IT!!! 🙌🏽

The sweetest part, despite my self-inflicted distress, was that they all clapped at the end. Idk, maybe some childhood wound was healed that day, but it was so endearing and so terrifying all at once - all inspired by a young boy who shares my love of history. ❤️

I will never forget him, or that poem again.😊

So at the very memorable school visit (at Washington in Raleigh), I met the sweetest second grader. Not exactly precocious…more like an old soul with an enchanting personality. He instantly started sharing all these facts about Harriet Tubman with me, and of course, I instantly shared mine with him. It was like talking to an old friend. 🤎☺️

Right before my presentation, his teacher leaned in and told me how obsessed he is with Harriet Tubman. Then she said, “He’s going to do something amazing one day. You can just tell.” I was in complete agreement…and also heard her accent. Ireland, she said. 🇮🇪

I said, “No way! One of my favorite poems in the world is by an Irish author (he highlights the hypocrisy the freedom our flag represented in 1838 in this poem).” Hello, serendipity. ✨

I wanted to share it with them, but since we were about to start, I boldly said I’d recite it for everyone, fully assuming I could deliver it in front of a couple hundred students. 😅

Well.

I wildly overestimated my ability to recall a poem impromptu in a packed room.

I got the first two lines out and then… NOTHING. Completely blank. The Irish teacher even tried to look it up, but we could only find those same two lines. I was dying on the inside. And then I had to give my presentation, the whole time thinking, why do I do this to myself? 😅🫠

But I pushed through, feeling slightly off and discombobulated, but we made it. The students asked great questions, we read the story, my new buddy loved the ending with the Harriet reveal, and just as one of the first classes was being dismissed-it hit me.

I remembered the poem!!

Of course I said, “WAIT! I remember it!” They all sat back down. I froze again. This time only for a few seconds. I laughed nervously, then finally heard that little voice inside say, "You know this, Shana. Just say it."

And OMG… I DID IT!!! 🙌🏽

The sweetest part, despite my self-inflicted distress, was that they all clapped at the end. Idk, maybe some childhood wound was healed that day, but it was so endearing and so terrifying all at once - all inspired by a young boy who shares my love of history. ❤️

I will never forget him, or that poem again.😊

Behold, history!!! Visited Washington High School in Raleigh and discovered it was the first public high school for African Americans in the city!!! Opened in 1923 and still serving students today. Can you imagine!? They have some pretty cool alumni too.
🖤🎓📰

#blackhistorymonth #schoolvisit #historical #authorsofinstagram

Behold, history!!! Visited Washington High School in Raleigh and discovered it was the first public high school for African Americans in the city!!! Opened in 1923 and still serving students today. Can you imagine!? They have some pretty cool alumni too.
🖤🎓📰

#blackhistorymonth #schoolvisit #historical #authorsofinstagram

Shared Do You Know Them? during storytime @barnesandnoble yesterday! 🥰📚

#bookevent #kidlit #picturebook

Shared Do You Know Them? during storytime @barnesandnoble yesterday! 🥰📚

#bookevent #kidlit #picturebook

These visits remind me why education and community engagement matter so much. 😊
The future is in great hands. ✨️

#Gratitude #SchoolVisits #Community #Education #Inspiration

These visits remind me why education and community engagement matter so much. 😊
The future is in great hands. ✨️

#Gratitude #SchoolVisits #Community #Education #Inspiration

A special distinction for CeeCee. 💛🙏🏽📚
An American Library Association Notable Children's Books for 2026!

#books #kidlit #awards #librariesofinstagram

A special distinction for CeeCee. 💛🙏🏽📚
An American Library Association Notable Children's Books for 2026!

#books #kidlit #awards #librariesofinstagram

The face of gratitude after sharing and signing books for CeeCee Underground Railroad Cinderella with illustrator @laurafreemanart 😊☺️

The amount of love this book has received warms my heart. 🤎🤎🤎

And we met Pete the Cat!! 😁

#literaryfestival #author #illustrator #bookevent

The face of gratitude after sharing and signing books for CeeCee Underground Railroad Cinderella with illustrator @laurafreemanart 😊☺️

The amount of love this book has received warms my heart. 🤎🤎🤎

And we met Pete the Cat!! 😁

#literaryfestival #author #illustrator #bookevent

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@shanakellerwrites

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