(TOMS RIVER, NJ) -- The Ocean County College Foundation’s Blauvelt Speaker Series continues this spring with a visit from educational leader and creativity advocate, JoAnn Nocera, to the Jay and Linda Grunin Center for the Arts on Thursday, April 7 at 9:30am.

During more than 20 years as an educator, Nocera has developed techniques to help children reach their highest potential and infuse creativity into learning, both in school and at home. Her presentation will discuss creative strategies for bringing about joy at school, at home and in life. 

The event, which is free and open to the public, will include a 45-minute presentation followed by a 15-minute Q&A session, and will be presented both in person and via livestream. Although tickets are free, advance registration is required. Register online here. Livestream tickets are limited to one per viewing device.

JoAnn Nocera is an educational leader, creativity enthusiast, and author with over two decades of experience helping children reach their highest learning potential and teaching parents strategies to assist in the process. She has spent years researching and developing techniques that have been successful in helping students in all facets of education.  

She has worked with The Geraldine R. Dodge Foundation, MINDPOP, mindALIGNED, and the Grunin Foundation, as well as in corporate partnerships with Toys“R”Us, OceanFirst, and The Home Depot. She is also a sought-after speaker and workshop leader. 

JoAnn holds multiple certifications in elementary and middle school teaching, Principal and Supervisor administration licenses, and has been featured in WeAreTeachers.com, WebTalkRadio, and other national outlets within the industry. Her book Give Me Back My Crayons, companion planner Give Me Back My Creativity, and companion children’s book series Katherine Grace are available wherever books are sold. 

The Blauvelt Speaker Series is funded in part by the generosity of the late Bradford Thomas & Eleanor G. Blauvelt and The Wintrode Family Foundation. This year’s 2021-2022 additional sponsors include Arlene and Frank Dupignac, Jr.; Helen M. Earles, Ph.D.; Judi and Stephan Leone; New Jersey Natural Gas; and Novins, York, Jacobus and Dooley.