Tanner Olson is an author, poet, and speaker who creates meaningful and engaging experiences for students, educators, families, and congregations through poetry, storytelling, humor, and the hope of Christ.

From school assemblies and chapel messages to community-wide evening events, Tanner helps people slow down, laugh, rest, and remember that they are deeply loved and fully known by God.

Inquire today about how to bring Tanner to your school, church, or community.

A Lutheran School Kid Who Never Left

Tanner knows Lutheran schools because they helped shape who he is.

He attended Lutheran school from kindergarten through eighth grade before eventually making his way to Concordia University Wisconsin, where he studied theology and youth ministry.

After graduating, Tanner served as a youth director in the LCMS before becoming a full-time writer, poet, and speaker.

Since then, his work has taken him into schools, churches, conferences, retreats, and events across the country.

In 2025, Tanner served as a host at the LCMS Youth Gathering, helping lead an event attended by more than 20,000 Lutheran youth and adults.

Today, Tanner loves returning to Lutheran schools and churches to share poetry, stories, laughter, and the hope we have in Christr.

Bring Tanner to Your Community

Every school and community is different. Tanner offers several ways to create an experience that fits yours.

Virtual School Visit

Bring Tanner into your classroom without having to bring Tanner into your building.

During a 30-minute virtual visit, Tanner shares poetry, talks about writing and creativity, reads from his books, and answers questions from students.

Virtual visits are conversational, engaging, and designed to give students an opportunity to meet a working author and poet.

A virtual visit can be a great fit for a single classroom, multiple classrooms, a writing unit, or a special school-wide experience.

Includes:

• Poetry and storytelling

• Conversation about writing and creativity

• Book readings

• Student Q&A

In-Person School Visit

Bring poetry, storytelling, creativity, laughter, and faith into your school for the day.

Tanner works with students from elementary school through college and adapts each visit for the age and setting of the audience.

A school visit can include assemblies, chapel messages, poetry readings, conversations about writing and creativity, Q&A sessions, classroom visits, and book signings.

The goal isn't simply to have students sit and listen.

It's to create an experience that invites them to pay attention, use their imagination, laugh, ask questions, and think more deeply about faith, creativity, and the stories they are living.

Every visit is shaped around the needs of the school.

School Visit + Evening Event

Make it more than a school-day experience.

Tanner can spend the day with students and educators and then invite parents, families, church members, and the wider community back for an evening event.

Tanner and a singer songwriter will share an evening of poetry, storytelling, humor, faith, and live music to create something meaningful for people of different ages.

It's an opportunity for the experience that begins during the school day to extend beyond the classroom and into the entire community.

This option works especially well for schools and churches looking to create a memorable community event rather than simply hosting another assembly.

Get in touch today

What Can a Visit Look Like?

No two communities are exactly alike, so Tanner works with schools and churches to build a schedule that makes sense for their students and their day.

Depending on your community, a visit might include:

• School assemblies

• Chapel messages

• Poetry readings

• Classroom visits

• Conversations about creativity and writing

• Student Q&A

• Book readings and signings

• Faculty or staff gatherings

• Evening poetry and music events

• Church or community gatherings

Have something different in mind? Ask.

Tanner is happy to talk through your ideas and see what might work.

Frequently Asked Questions

What ages does Tanner speak to?

Tanner works with audiences ranging from elementary students through adults. Programs are adjusted for the age, setting, and needs of each audience.

How long is a school visit?

That depends on the school. A visit might include one assembly or chapel message, several sessions throughout the day, classroom visits, or a full-day experience.

When you inquire, Tanner will work with you to create a schedule that fits your school.

Can Tanner speak at chapel?

Yes. Chapel messages can be incorporated into a school visit and adapted for the age of the students.

Can Tanner visit several groups in one day?

Often, yes. Depending on your school's schedule, Tanner can work with different grades or groups throughout the day.

Can we include an evening event?

Yes. The School Visit + Evening Event option is designed specifically for communities that want to invite families, church members, and others into the experience.

Does Tanner travel?

Yes. Tanner travels for schools, churches, conferences, retreats, and other events.

How much does it cost?

Pricing depends on the type of event, schedule, location, travel, and other details.

Send an inquiry with a little information about your school or event and you'll receive a clear quote based on what you're planning.