Children Say…

“I love your stories as much as I love my Mom.”

“It’s very good telling stories.  I don’t got to be scared no more.”

“When I know you are coming I explode with happiness.”

“You are like a bird in the sky. You are like a sweet queen. You are the best in the word.”

WORDS
are how we think

STORIES
are how we link

Teachers Say…

“Your love and dedication to teach our students to tell stories were just unbelievable.  The difference in storytelling from beginning of the year compared to the last session was tremendous.  I am so grateful you were so flexible with your hours, how you came early and spent lunch time with us to go over all the details.”
Cindy Chu, 2nd Grade Teacher, Bella Vista Elementary, Oakland
“Jeanne is a dynamic and effective instructor working with our diverse population. Her deep interest in storytelling as a learning tool helped foster a creative outlet for my students. She is a natural in front of the classroom, with an enthusiasm for teaching and high expectations for all students.”
Sean Cavanaugh, 4th Grade Teacher, Woodrow Wilson Elementary, San Leandro
“For my students who sometimes struggle with academics, this was a great chance for them to shine, especially my second language learners. I really appreciate how this project addresses standards for literature and performing arts. And of course, Jeanne is just such a pleasure to work with and hear her wonderful stories.”
Alexandra McGann, 3rd/4th Grade Teacher, Fruitvale Elementary School, Oakland
“Jeanne Haynes is a true artist. In my 3rd grade Spanish Bilingual class, she related very well with the children and easily kept their attention. She exposed the children to a variety of tales, which they may not have otherwise been aware of. She brought storytelling to life to the extent that even the shyest wanted to practice storytelling themselves.”
Sandra Vega Martinez, 3rd Grade Teacher, Gordon J. Lau Elementary School, San Francisco
“Jeanne Haynes held the children’s interest throughout 40-minute sessions with a highly interactive program. She talked about storytelling, then told a version of a classic tale and asked for volunteers to tell a story related to the tale. Because she creates an atmosphere of trust and comfort, even the shy students were able to speak.”
Jill Russell, Library Media Center Teacher, Paden Elementary School, Alameda
“The inspiration behind your words and the way you made the story apply to their sports activities really touched both the staff and the campers in an extremely positive manner. I was excited to see a child who has had problems with self-confidence get up on stage to tell about a moment when he had to do something that was difficult. I believe your work is both encouraging and motivating.”
Wendy Adachi, Director , Cal Strawberry Canyon Youth Programs
“As a former administrator, I found in Jeanne Haynes, exceptional and epic storytelling that propelled the academic achievement of our students in a holistic manner! I had the pleasure of overseeing her residences as Nystrom Elementary Legacy Coach in Richmond and Lafayette Elementary Principal in Oakland. Ms. Haynes is beyond reproach and beyond expectation! “
Karen Dones, Schools Administrator

RESIDENCY GOAL:

To give students the desire, tools and opportunity to stand before a group, tell a comprehensive compelling story in their own words, be acknowledged with applause and an active respectful listener for their classmates.    

STORYTELLING RESIDENCY:

  • Sparks imagination

  • Sharpens communication

  • Increases literacy skills

  • Builds self-confidence

  • Highlights individuality

  • Deepens appreciation for diversity

STUDENTS LEARN:

  • Basic story composition

  • The 5 W’s

  • Beginning, Middle and End 

  • Clarity in communication

  • Dramatic techniques

  • Elimination of nervous gestures

  • Respectful active listening

Through Stagebridge, Young Audiences of Northern California, ALICE – Arts and Literacy in Children’s Education, San Francisco Streetside Stories, and as an independent contractor, Haynes has taught in 30+ Bay Area schools working with some 3,500 students in Grades 2-8, including English Language Learners, African-American, Latino and Asian youth.   The following is a list of schools where Haynes has taught residencies or other programs as noted.  These are elementary schools unless otherwise identified:  

Allendale, Oakland • Alvarado Assembly, Union City • Amelia Earhart Assembly, Alameda • Bella Vista, Oakland • Ben Franklin Middle School, SF • Bay Farm Afterschool, Alameda • Munck, Oakland • Fruitvale, Oakland • Garden Gate Middle Afterschool GATE Program, Cupertino • Glenview, Oakland • Gordon Lau, SF Chinatown • Hillcrest Assembly, Oakland • Jefferson, Oakland • Jefferson, San Leandro • Lafayette Summer School, Oakland • Lincoln, Oakland • Manzanita, Oakland • Martin Luther King, Jr., Oakland • Murwood, Walnut Creek • Nystrom, Richmond • Paden Afterschool, Alameda • Parkway Heights Middle School, San Mateo • Peter Pan Cooperative Nursery, Oakland • Piedmont Avenue Assembly, Oakland • Redwood Heights Assembly, Oakland • Rosa Parks, Berkeley • Sequoia Afterschool, Oakland • Stonehurst Afterschool, Oakland • Valley View Middle School Summer Session, Pleasant Hill • Washington, Alameda • Woodrow Wilson, San Leandro • Oakland Downtown YMCA Afterschool Program

An outgrowth of the oral tradition, Storytelling is included in the California Common Core State Standards. To enhance her classroom teaching, Haynes earned both Praxis English Language/Literature and Communication & SSAT Literature/English credentials.  A contributing author, she was one of  some 30 storytellers selected from across the country for the Storytelling Classroom: Applications Across the Curriculum, a first of its kind book about the power of storytelling in the classroom, edited by Sherry Norfolk, Greenwood Press, 2006. 

 

A school’s curriculum can be enriched with a Storytelling Residency taught by Master Storyteller Jeanne Haynes.  Teaching traditional and personal stories, residencies are designed with teacher input to fit their students’ needs.  Taught in a supportive joyful environment, this program can be a one-time event or weekly sessions with the option of a culminating performance.

SCHOOLS SPECIAL EVENTS

Haynes as a featured teller or emcee presenting student tellers from her residencies

– Head-Royce K-12 College Prep School Family Night, Oakland
– University of California Berkeley Youth Summer Recreation Program
– Haight Elementary School Reading Night, Alameda
– Martin Luther King Elementary Book Fair Assembly Event, Oakland
– Paden Elementary PTA Night Afterschool Students’ Performance, Alameda
– Pleasant Hill Summer Recreation Program Middle Schools Talent Show
– Rosa Parks Elementary/Strawberry Lodge Senior Residence “Buddy Program,” Berkeley