Vernae Bezear is an Author, Wife, and Mother. She has worked professionally in the field of education for over 20 years. She is currently an Instructional Coach and certified Reading Recovery Specialist within the New York City Department of Education. Vernae created the Gelli Belle Books as a fun means of teaching her daughter Angelica (and all children) valuable lessons about life and emotions to help them feel a greater sense of identity within our ever-changing world. Diversity and Representation matter! As a member of the New Teacher Center Equity Commission, Vernae has poured her vast experience with children, education, and social-emotional learning into being a part of their mission, to re-center the humanity of educators, families, students, and communities, and to create new systems which create equitable results for everyone. The Gelli Belle series focuses on such themes as the managing of emotions, making responsible decisions and having higher levels of empathy and self-awareness. Gelli Belle and The Magic Toy Chest is the first book of the series and the beginning of everything!
