Biography of Stephanie S. Tolan

By Eric Redd

Starting Off

Stephanie Tolan was born in Ohio raised in Wisconsin she loved books since she was young staying up late at night reading under the covers. She believed that those black marks on the paper would send her to magical worlds

Beginnings as a Writer

Stephanie wrote her first book in 4th grade and when see realized that she could make the magic happen herself , she decided to become a writer

She majored in creative writing at Purdue University the got a Master’s Degree in English. But after the marriage to Bob Tolan and the addition of three stepsons and then having one of her own cut down the time for her own writing but she still wrote poetry and plays for adults as she taught college English………………………………………………………………………………..

…………….her husband's career in professional theatre moved the Tolan family around the country, and writing was needed for comfort in those stressful times. In the mid-1970’s, Stephanie began working in the Poets-in-the-Schools program in

Pennsylvania.

Her Books• Her Writing for children and young adults began with Grandpa—And Me in 1978

and here are some more of here books

Contribution to Gifted Children• Stephanie Tolan is an advocate for extremely bright children. She started

this when her son was discovered to be exceptionally gifted. And as she looked for education for him she discovered the problem with this country about dealing with gifted kids. Dr. James Webb asked her to help

Elizabeth Meckstroth in forming the book called “Guiding the Gifted Child”. She became a full collaborator on the book and when the book was released in 1982 it became the “Bible” for those trying to raise and educate gifted kids . She became a consultant for parents with gifted children.

Where is She now?• Stephanie S. Tolan is a senior fellow at the Institute for Educational

Advancement (IEA). Mrs. Tolan currently lives in Charlotte, NC with her husband (Bob), two dogs, a golden tabby cat, two fish and plenty of

outdoor creatures.

(Coyote and Samantha)

•http://www.stephanietolan.com/biography.htm