"No question asked by a child was ever brushed aside. When he sang he sang from his soul. He spreads joy and laughter wherever he goes and I look forward to his return." – Judy Taber, MS, Director of Stellar Academy for Dyslexics "We all appreciated your instant rapport with students and how you involve them in the presentation by including them in the discussion and in leading them in singing along." – Brian Crosby, 5th Grade Teacher, Agnes Risley School "Steve Seskin has continued to work tirelessly with our faculty and our schools. His commitment, through his incredible songwriting/singing talents, is truly remarkable." – Phyllis Gail Kaplan, Professor/Coordinator, California State University, Hayward

School Assembly Programs

Steve Seskin has a unique gift; he can walk into a room and gain the attention and respect of his audience, both young and old. The message of the song, “Don’t Laugh at Me,” being considerate and respectful of one another, is the centerpiece of the program. The program begins with an interactive talk with the students about what the song says, followed by a musical performance of it. Finally, Steve talks about how following the song’s message can improve the school environment. This program is offered for K-6 as well as Middle School and High School. The other songs included vary depending on the age group, and address other issues such as respect, compassion, diversity and self-esteem. Steve also includes comic songs to make the program a fun learning experience. This program of songs and commentary runs approximately 30 - 45 minutes.

Steve is also available to perform in the evening at Family Nights, which include parents and children. This helps cement the message of “Don’t Laugh At Me” by continuing its lesson beyond school and into the home. Another option is to sponsor an Author Night where the performance is followed by a book signing for parents and children.

In 2005 Steve started a new program in schools. As an "artist in residence" he will come to a school and spend several days teaching the kids songwriting, leaving them with a love of creativity that will hopefully last a lifetime. During this program he actually writes songs with the children and records a CD for them as part of the visit. The songs they write are geared towards themes of character education although not exclusively.

Steve Seskin is a successful songwriter who has written seven number one songs, including Grammy-nominated “Grown Men Don’t Cry,” recorded by Tim McGraw, and “Don’t Laugh at Me,” winner of NSAI Song of the Year and Music Row Magazine Song of the Year in 1999 as recorded by Mark Wills.

Don’t Laugh at Me” was recorded by Peter, Paul and Mary and became the impetus for the Operation Respect/Don’t Laugh at Me project, a curriculum designed to teach tolerance in schools. This program has already been implemented in more than 20,000 schools across the country. Steve now enjoys performing at school assemblies in support of this program.

The song is now available as a children’s book, Don’t Laugh At Me, which was featured on PBS’s Reading Rainbow in September 2002.

School Assembly Program Highlights

Alamo Elementary, CA Albany, CA Baypoint Elementary, CA Beach School, CA Brookhill, CA Fairlands Elementary, CA Franklin Elementary, CA Grant, CA Harding Elementary, CA Kitayama Elementary, CA Los Ceritos Middle School, CA

Lydicksen School, CA McNear Elementary, CA Nordstrom School, CA Chinook Elementary, WA Hough Elementary, WA Locust Valley Elementary, NY Bay Point Elementary, NY Agnes Risley Elementary, NV Ted Hunsberger Elementary, NV Huber Ridge, OH Hawthorne, OH