Soaring Stories

Since my last post, I completed a week long performance residency in Utica, New York, presented my workshop “Promoting Emergent Literacy through Storytelling” at the International Reading Conference in Atlanta, Ga and finished teaching my college course “Children and the Arts at Tompkins County Community College in Dryden, New York.  I feel like I’ve been riding a tiger!  I’m grateful for all the work and I continue to be amazed at the power of stories to delight and teach us.  

While I was in Utica I think I saw some of the saddest children I have ever met.  Who knows why- home, school, life circumstances.  I watched them turn from sullen and disinterested children to laughing and engaged children during the performances.  I remembered the power of the story, giving space to the images, being in the moment and most importantly, to really be with the children and share their excitement and astonishment as they heard these tales for the first time.

The IRA was incredible.  There were 20,000 people gathered to promote literacy throughout the world. My workshop was packed with teachers, administrators, and specialists who ate up the stories and made them their own.  It was a great experience to share and learn from other professionals in this field.

Finally, I wrapped up my fifth class of Children and the Arts. College students on the road to becoming teachers learn how to tell a story, make puppets, sing, dance and understand the creative process.  It’s really cool to see them unfold and let go of all their fear of being judged.  I guess they are really learning to be kids again.