Frankie and I are available to do presentations in person or via Skype.

In person visits are done within about a 120- mile radius of our home in Elkhart Lake, WI and with Skype, the sky is the limit!

PLEASE NOTE: It is best to get on our calendar soon as I limit Frankie's school, library and organization visits to one per week.

**With every booked visit whether in-person or via Skype you will receive the following:  Frankie poster, E-book version of Frankie Activity book, Frankie achievement award, and Frankie coloring page**

Please print out Free E-Book below to help plan and organize your visit with us in person or via Skype.  It contains all you need for a successful visit!

FREE E-BOOK FOR IN-PERSON VISITS

Everything you need to know about what our visit entails and how to plan a successful one.

Free E-Book for Skype Visits

Everything you need to know what our Skype visit entails and how to plan a successful one. (we are also open to other types of video conferencing that your school may be more comfortable in using)

Please contact us for dates available and fee for in person

or Skype visits

FREE TEACHING GUIDE

Teaching guide to help extend the lessons Frankie the Walk 'N Roll book series teaches.  To drive home these lessons in a joyous and unforgettable way, we suggest the addition of a visit with your students by Frankie herself in-person or via Skype.  Past visits from our little Ambassador of Inspiration have proven to leave an everlasting, positive impact on students of all ages.

You can also check out more information about us and our Skype visits at Skype an Author

A portion of all book sales and speaking fees donated to disabled animal charities

VIRTUAL VISIT TESTIMONIALS

What a wonderful presentation. Our students were so excited to meet Frankie! Not only did the visit make them excited to read the story, but also motivated them to complete writing activities to Frankie. Thank you so much! I highly recommend Mrs. Techel’s presentation, especially for special needs students.  ~Jeanette Monteith, Greencastle, PA

Students at my school in Canada used Skype to connect via the Internet with Barbara and Frankie who live in Wisconsin. The students were so excited and amazed at the experience.  It seemed as if Frankie and Barbara were sitting right in their classroom!

The students were able to interact with Frankie and Barbara. They asked many thought provoking questions. They learned a lot about animals with disabilities and how to stay positive no matter what challenges they might face.  The Skype has been their favorite part of the school year!      ~Karen Keys, Teacher Librarian Canada

I was apprehensive about the vist, but it was tremendous.  I wondered if 500+ children would be able to attend to the screen and realize they were having a conversation with an author.  You did it!  They stayed on task for the entire visit.  The variety of activity--your talking, the Powerpoint, the video and Frankie's presence all worked together to keep them engaged. Thank you-- you made me look good! ~Kathy Howel, library media specialist, Clarksville Primary School, Arkansas

The students had such a great time during their webcam visit with Mrs. Techel and Frankie.  They were even more inspiring in person.  Mrs. Techel had Frankie right there with her during our web cam visit.  Frankie even fell asleep on her desk.  She showed the class how Frankie got in and out of her wheelchair, explained how she cared for Frankie, gave us a first hand view of her writing studio, and explained the writing process from the gathering of ideas, to the editing, and the publishing stages. ~Karen Elz, 3rd grade elementary teacher,  Shiloh Point Elementary School, Georgia  

Through the magic of technology we were able to host Barb & Frankie for an in-class(ish) presentation. Barb was able to take the kids through the notion of overcoming challenges, making a difference in the lives of others, and facing hardship in a positive, life-changing way. They were CAPTIVATED which is a pretty big deal for six-year-olds.  ~Ben Bordeau, Who's Your Dachshund blogger and Jason Wade, 1st grade teacher, Bicentennial School, Canada

Our visit with you and Frankie was fabulous!  The children couldn't stop talking about it.  Not only did you make Frankie's story come alive for these students, you were able to make writing more real.  Not one of these students have ever met an author, much less had a visit with one.  I believe they received your message and also came away with a better understanding of what writing really is. ~Susan Ownens, special education teacher, Cheatham Park Elementary, Springfield, TN

Excellent visit with Barbara and Frankie! We really enjoyed our Skype session with Frankie and Barbara! Barbara did an excellent job of keeping the kindergarten and 1st grade classrooms engaged for over 30 minutes -- not an easy thing to do :) The students loved seeing Frankie and learning all about how she has overcome the odds! In addition, they loved their signed books from Frankie and Barbara which promptly arrived after we ordered them. I'd HIGHLY recommend this session!!!  ~Tracey Joyce, LS Media Specialist, Convent of the Visitation School, Medota Heights, MN

IN PERSON VISIT TESTIMONIALS

Thank you for the presentation today. Honestly, it exceeded my expectations.  What great lessons the students learned from both you and Frankie!"  -Gary Goelz, Principal, Country Meadows Elementary School

Barbara Techel and Frankie came to present at our elementary school.  She did two presentations, one for our grades K-2 and one for our grades 3-5.  Her presentations were perfect for our students.  She shared a great message about overcoming challenges in life.  Frankie’s story is truly inspiring and captured the students’ attention.  Her interactive presentation was informative as well.  Barbara’s warm personality and love of animals is evident throughout her presentation.  If you are looking for an inspiring message for children of all ages, I would highly recommend a visit from Barbara and Frankie!  -Jennifer Georgia, Library Media Specialist, Martin Elementary School, Green Bay, WI

'Thank You' from the bottom of my heart for sharing Frankie with us. You truly do an outstanding job helping to teach children about our differences and overcoming challenges in our daily lives! Students saw that even with a disability there is great ability in all of us!  -Marisa M. Kluth, Third Grade Teacher, Sheboygan Falls Elementary School

Your message was very uplifting and so perfect for children to comprehend.  You went above and beyond my expectations.  Frankie is truly a gift from above to us all!  -Amy Nelson, Teacher at St. John the Baptist School

Excellent!  Great use of time moving from book to Frankie, to her dog cart.  Kids were stimulated-- it never got boring.  Keep doing what you are doing.  You are by far the most organized, well-planned, and prepared presenter I ever worked with.  -Julie Hauk, third grade teacher at Longfellow School

Author Barbara Techel and Frankie left a lasting impression with all the families who attended the presentation.  The program was wonderful and ideal for audiences of all ages. Their book "Frankie the Walk'n Roll Dog" was a fascinating addition to our collection.  We are looking forward to a return visit! -Aimee Steinbruecker, Youth Services, Sheboygan Mead Public Library

You are an absolute natural at public speaking!  Meeting Frankie up close and petting her was just wonderful. The feedback from families regarding your presentation has been so joyful and positive.  In my opinion you are by far the absolute best guest we’ve ever had at our winter party.  Thank you so much for sharing Frankie and her story with us and everyone who reads your book. -Barb Morin, Family Services Coordinator, Pathways Center, Glenview, IL

Our visit with Frankie and Barbara was a highly anticipated event for everyone at Portal, Inc.  It turned out to be everything we hoped it would be- an extremely enjoyable and inspirational event.  The young children and adults with intellectual disabilities who were in attendance loved Barbara's storybooks and getting the chance to meet a celebrity dog- Frankie. They were also intriguide with Frankie's wheelchair. The other adults in the room were moved and inspired by the inspirational messages Barbara shared about her experience with Frankie. By the end of our visit, everyone in the room seemed to be smiling and leaving with renewed optimism and enthusiam for life.   Thank you Frankie and Barbara for sharing your story and motivating us all to keep on rolling!

~Rita Pampel, Recreation Coordinator, Portal, Inc

Your presentation was outstanding, delightful enlightening, and inspiring and your book is captivating. The students really enjoyed reading and learning about Frankie!  -Pat McKenzie, Integrated Language Arts, 6th grade, Urban Middle School, Sheboygan, WI