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International Award Winning Author, Marie Elena Cortés, is an experienced and passionate motivational speaker with over twenty-five years of experience. Marie Elena is from Torrance, California, but grew up undocumented in Cuernavaca, Morelos, Mexico. She came back to the USA at age 16 to learn to speak English and conquered more than just the language. In 1996, she became a Bilingual and ESL Teacher serving her community by beautifying minds and spaces with her art projects and tutoring underprivileged students in Houston, Texas.

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In 2005, Elena created a writing club titled Kids Write to Know where she has presented to over 300,000 students, parents, educators, and businesses at schools, libraries, churches, festivals, and conferences across the USA, Mexico and Central America. Attendees enjoy Cortes' storytelling, poetry and powerful presentations that invite her audiences to discover the power of thinking paper.

 

Cortes has published two children’s books: My Annoying Little Brother and My First Classroom. In 2012, she published a chapter book for youth, Neglected by Two Countries, and received numerous awards at the International Latino Book Awards (2013) and the Books into Movies Award (2014). Her next Children's book, FLOWERS, will be published Summer of 2024. Her dream is to see children using their imagination again.

 

In 2018, Marie Elena had the fight of her life battling breast cancer. She won the battle and is a breast cancer survivor. She lives life in FULL BLOOM! She is unstoppable and supports different non-profits as an advocate for children. Her mission is to radiate positivism through art, music, theater, film, and literature.

 

Marie Elena is the proud mother of Alexis, a Physical Therapy Doctor, and Mark, a Physical Education Coach. She lives in region 6 in Texas. Stay connected via her YouTube channel called SHINE WITH MARIE & MARK…a motivational podcast that she directs with her son, Mark Sedgwick. Together they share stories that motivate adults and our youth to be a light in the world.

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“I have been an advocate for children since 1996, as a mom, teacher, author, and community leader in Texas. I have enjoyed organizing educational multicultural events with different non-profits like the Houston Institute for Culture, Neighborhood Centers, Baker Ripley, Child Builders, MOCAH, TOYS for TOTS, Texas Covenant House, Latino Literacy Now, Talento Bilingue, Nuestra Palabra, Healing Hands for Kids, SIFAT, and many more. My passion is helping students excel by preparing them for success through motivational and creative workshops. In 2005, I started a writing club that turned into my legacy www.kidswritetoknow.net I want to inspire students to discover the power of thinking on paper and motivate them to become critical thinkers about a variety of topics to help all children achieve greatness! "- Marie Helen Cortes

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* To book or reserve a date please email her at: marie.elena.cortes@gmail.com or text (832) 388-8218