Danni

by Karla Huntsman When I was growing up, and even in my college years, before I answered a question in a classroom, I pre-planned exactly what I was going to say and when I answered,  carefully followed the script in my head, little noting reactions of fellow class members.  There was a great deal of […]

by Charles Temple Storytelling can teach by imparting truths. But storytelling can also teach by inviting people to think for themselves and create their own truths.  When people come up with interpretations and support them with reasons, they are doing what is called critical thinking. And when different people work together to create responses to

by Gini Cunningham-Baefsky Recipient NSN Spotlight Grant If you ask any De Anza, Pinole Valley or Hercules High School Interact Service Club student what their most important educational experience has been to date, they are likely to tell you (in unison), ‘the Bay Area Storytelling Festival Study Trip’. Not only is it the best field

by Carolyn Stearns There was a long hushed pause before a young woman began to speak; her story spilled out.  She heard strange voices, muffled and distant, the eerie lights coming in the windows, the glow of eyes outside peeking in, the child in the bed trembles at the alien invasion. There were no aliens,

By Susanna Holstein The school visit was all that I wanted it to be: well planned, well received, a joyful, thoughtful sharing of stories and songs with over 500 children, parents and teachers. It was an affirmation of what I do. During the times when I have no storytelling work I turn my focus to

by Mark Goldman To the logical, pragmatic, no-nonsense, Type-A personality that I am, the concept of appreciations in storytelling was initially lost on me. Appreciations felt like a “nicey-nicey-fluff-give-them-positive-first-but-doesn’t-help-teach-them-or-move-them-to-change” process. Why not just tell them what they need to change? I would silently think, “Enough of this touchy-feely stuff. Give them meat to chew on!”