Slice of Life Day Twenty-Three: Let's Hear it For Storytellers

 Years ago when I was teaching second graders, I had a neighbor across the hall. She was always doing something "out of the box". She encouraged me to do things differently. She shared her knowledge of the world through her travels as a storyteller. She would gather my students into her small room and with a fake campfire we would huddle around it and she would tell us tales of "She-Who-Tells-Stories". My students were spellbound as they sat there dressed in Native American garb. Thus the beginning of our friendship.

I became a writing coach and eventually left that district. That didn't stop our friendship. She would come and give special programs to a couple of the schools I then worked with as an instructional coach. Again, many students were able to gather around her and hear the wonderful stories she told.

As both of us became retired teachers, even though she still works in many areas telling stories, writing stories and even teaching at the college level, we love to stay connected. Last week, she received yet another award. I am sure this is one that will be dear to her heart because it is the 2014 Mayor's Arts and Humanities Award. What is so great about this is that she received this by doing what she loves! Congratulations, Lou Ann, you are a inspiration to so many people!