This content was originally published by the Longmont Observer and is licensed under a Creative Commons license.
Can you tell a good story? Entrance an audience with your voice and words? Do you love to act or perform? The Longmont chapter of the Spellbinders Storytellers needs you!
"'Once upon a time'...brings all of us to a magic place," says storyteller Wynn Montgomery. "Those words bring young and old alike to a place where they can relax and open their minds. That's what makes storytelling such an effective teaching tool." Montgomery is a longtime member of the Longmont Library Spellbinder Storytellers, an organization that trains community members in the art of oral storytelling and then places them as storytelling volunteers in St. Vrain Valley Elementary Schools to help teachers to foster literacy and encourage creative listening. Spellbinder volunteers believe that stories ignite imaginations, expose children to other times and cultures, and provide an extraordinary connection between the teller and the children.
The Spellbinder Storytellers are hosting another volunteer orientation and training series in March and are seeking additional volunteers to join their ranks. Training and orientation sessions will be held from 1 to 4 pm on March 16, 19, 23, and 27. Attendees must be able to attend all trainings, and a $75 training fee will be collected to cover the expense of printing the training materials, a name badge, and a required background check. Once training is complete, volunteers will shadow experienced storytellers and then be placed in classrooms for monthly storytimes.
If you value literacy, like spending time with kids, and have the time to change lives, please consider joining the Spellbinders Storytellers. To learn more about the Spellbinders, visit their webpage at the Longmont Public Library website at http://bit.ly/Spellbind, or contact Children's and Teens' Librarian Kathleen Kunau at [email protected]<mailto:[email protected]> or (303) 651-8884 for more information and to register. Advance registration is required.</mailto:[email protected]>
The Spellbinders need you and great stories are waiting to be told!
