That Fairy Tale called Childhood, Mr. Glodowski, and Lifelong Learning

When our eyes glaze over and a goofy grin appears on our face, we might have entered that fairy tale called childhood.

Nothing could go wrong...or at least not for long...as memories conjure images of learning how to bike ride and then traveling farther than told to go, hanging around the basketball court and wondering when it would be your turn to shoot the ball, playing a night game of hide-and-go-seek and on and on.

Sparkles and rainbows often accompany the reflections as if anything we touched in those times were full of magic.

Then came the stormy fortress and villains within our life story. A few of us may have called this place "school".

Creativity was set aside so we could learn what all parents wanted their children to know: reading, writing, and arithmetic.

This scholastic kingdom divided its subjects into castes that could not invade another. Tall fences and barricades prevented Social Studies from invading Math and inhibited Science from merging with English.

Fortunately, I had a 5th grade science teacher named Mr. Glodowski.

He was a balding man with a few flicks of hair that gave his head a soft look when the light slipped through the large classroom blinds. His glasses were geometric in nature and magnified his eyes so that he could see what anyone was doing at any one time...like when I wrote stories while he taught.

I slipped my writing notebook under my science notebook when I felt a glance my way. But it was too late. I was caught. I could tell by the way Mr. Glodowski prolonged his gaze in my direction.

Instead of calling my name in front of the class at that time, he walked to my desk when the bell rang.

While stuffing my backpack, I kept my head down as if to thwart any lecture of my creative writing during his class.

Then I heard it.

"Rachel?"

Mr. Glodowski's tone had an edge of amusement to it. I was not expecting that.

"Y-y-yes?"

Mr. Glodowski's eyes sparkled and he continued, "I could not help but notice that you are a writer."

"Y-y-yes?"

"Could I take a look at your work?"

I hadn't shown anyone my writing notebook before. Not even in English class. But when you're caught, you're caught. I lifted the bright pink notebook by one edge so that the other half drooped.

Mr. Glodowski carefully took the notebook into his hands and delicately read page after page.

"Hmmm." And then another, "Hmmm."

He looked at me.

"What if I had a special spot in my file cabinet for your writing? You could add your stories. I expect the folder to be thick with your stories."

I scrunched my face in surprise. "Yes, but, Mr. Glodowski, you're a Science teacher. What does writing have to do with Science?"

"Pffaw! Since when is Science Science and English English. So will you continue writing or not?"

A few moments of silence until out of my mouth, "Sure, Mr. Glodowski. Sure."

And so it happened. Story was part of my Science classroom.

I paid attention to what Mr. Glodowski taught. I noticed that he used more and more stories from past and present Science experiments of failures and successes. Sometimes folklore mixed with his lessons.

One time, while studying the constellations, he announced, "I want each of you to create a constellation out of a current star chart."

While addressing the whole class, he smiled at me and said, "I want each of you to write a story behind that constellation. Be creative as you like for, after all, this is a Science class. Science encompasses the world, and the world is full of stories."

That day I knew: storytelling was the action form of learning.

Storytelling still is the key to lifelong learning.

Then it happened one day.

I had a new story to place into Mr. Glodowski's file box. It was about time travel to dinosaur days through the pop of a bubble.

When I looked for Mr. Glodowski, all I found was an empty desk.

One of my classmates walked to me with serious expression on his face.

"I heard Mr. Glodowski died of a heart attack last night. We're getting a substitute."

I scanned the room as if I could find Mr. Glodowski shake his head at such nonsense.

But it was true.

The viewing and funeral was scheduled. I brought my Mom.

We got in line to share our condolences to the Glodowski family.

For the first time, I met Mr. Glodowski's wife. I had no idea what to tell her. Nothing seemed like the right words. I had to say something though.

So I told her about the file cabinet and how he inspired me to write.

She smiled through her tears. She thanked me and took my hand in hers.

When the school yearbooks were distributed at the end of my 5th grade year, I saw that I was not the only one who Mr. Glodowski inspired to write.

One of my classmates, Ka Xiong, had written a poem in his honor.

Here is a part of Ka's poem:

Pencils are wood, A square has an angle.

There I stood, Looking at you as if you were an angel.

Mr. Glodowski's stories are part of my being as they are for others he taught.

All stories become part of our being.

That fairy tale called childhood does not have to end.

Teachers and students alike could take part in a collaborative story that builds and grows with each passing day in the classroom.

As we graduate, that time with story continues in our minds until we achieve what our teachers had wanted to instill in us: lifelong learning.

So go forth and tell, and we will listen.

Every story adds to our education.

Until we tell again,

Rachel Hedman

info@rachelhedman.com

(801) 870-5799

http://www.familyfamine.com

About the Author:

Rachel Hedman is a family folklore expert and youth storytelling advocate who had several teachers like Mr. Gladowski who inspired the creative spirit she has today. She promotes positive communication and relationships through the Family Famine Series, a story synergy experience with fellow storytellers, musicians, and other performing artists. Rachel will publish "Year of the Adopted Family: 12 folktales to place in your home and value the process today" in November 2010 as part of National Adoption Month.

Story in its Simplicity

Beauty surrounds simplicity. Story can and often does encompass such beauty.

Storytelling could be reflected in the following words:

1. Listening
2. Sharing
3. Thinking

Listening

Before the performance, there could be the sound of energized buzzing. People enjoy the company of others while anticipating the stories to be told. When the emcee greets everyone, there might be a moment of silence—the waiting for the storyteller to get on stage.

In this short moment, imaginations warm up.

For those hearing stories at a family gathering, there may not be microphones to adjust. Instead a grandpa, aunt, or other relative may be sitting on the coach and shifts in the seat before sharing an experience.

Silence, once again, heightens the instance.

Applause welcomes the storyteller on stage. The story begins.

Sharing

The space shared with the storyteller and the audience allows more room for each story to spout forth.

A smile, a frown, or an excited look cues the storyteller on the reception of the story.

Characters are introduced. Settings are painted. Storyteller and audience alike feel like they know everyone involved . . . even if it is the first time hearing the story.

Thinking

When the story has impact, then the level of thought intensifies.

The reactions may vary from “Huh! Well, what do you know?” to “Now who did that remind me of?” to “What do I do now, after hearing that?”

At times, there could be the thought “When will this story be over with?”

Or the story is not thought of at all. Other things press into the mind like: what needs to be added to the grocery list, cleaned in the house, or completed by the ever-looming deadline?

Though most likely, your experience was one to think about again and again and again.

You find it looming in your mind until a story must be told and continue the cycle: listening, sharing, and thinking.

So go ahead.

Enjoy the simplicity of story.

Auditions: Judging Beyond the Story

Listening to the stories at auditions energize me . . .until it comes to judging them. Certain elements are obvious to note such as the story launch, voice, body language, word choice, and story closure.

The story performance, though important, is only part of the storytelling audition process.

The teller on and off the stage inspire other elements to consider such as:

1. Audience Connection
2. Stage Presence
3. Respect the Committee

Audience Connection

While I am often on the judging side of storytelling, at times I am the one being judged. Several contests and auditions abound in my state.

During one particular contest, the judging committee announced my scores for the different categories. I had scored high, though my Audience Connection number was average. I was not surprised. It happened to be a story that I wrote, which then could lead me to sound frozen.

The story probably would have sounded the same with that audience than if there was no one else in the area.

From that experience, the following questions come to mind about Audience Connection:

• Rather than a staged performance, does the teller give the feeling of talking with the audience? This does not mean direct audience participation, though this technique may be used.
• Even if the piece is memorized, does the teller still seem to have a rapport with the audience?
• Is the teller willing to be flexible depending on the audience feedback?

At some contests or auditions, as much as 20 points out of 100 may be for Audience Connection. All other elements, by comparison, have 5-10 points.

Every ballot differs. Some ballots ignore Audience Connection as a category.

Stage Presence

Every time I perform, butterflies abound in my stomach. The trick with Stage Presence is to look as if no insects are having a party with the nerves.

When I first competed in storytelling as a sophomore in high school, sometimes the butterflies wanted to fly out. . .along with my lunch.

During one of the breaks at the Wisconsin finals with about 100 tellers, I slipped away to find an unused classroom with a wastebasket with my name on it. Thankfully, my composure has improved.

A storyteller could improve stage presence simply by breathing deep before getting out of the car or entering the building of the auditions.

Perhaps a pre-recorded motivational CD with your mix of favorite songs or quotes will boost the confidence.

If I need to be energized, I listen to “Dancing Queen”. For a more serene composure, I play “Daydream Believer”. As for a moving quote, I learned this from Don Doyle: “Behind you infinite power. Before you limitless possibilities. Why should you fear?”

Carol Esterreicher taught me the “Circle of Excellence”, a neuro-linguistic technique of picturing an imaginary circle wherein you perform the perfect performance in the perfect setting with the perfect audience. Then you transfer these images upon the actual performance.

Keep in mind that the audition starts as soon as the storyteller enters the room. The audition continues as the judging committee calls the storyteller to the stage. Each footstep, arm swing, and shoulder erectness communicates either fear or confidence.

When judging, I watch to see if the storyteller accepts the applause. Too many rush off or fail to soak in the appreciation from the audience. A professional is poised from beginning to end.

Respect the Committee

This may seem like a strange category. Unfortunately, I added this category for the rare individuals who. . .come off the wrong way.

Before Audition: There are times when storytellers have felt entitled to be part of an event. Performing is a privilege. Sometimes a polished teller is not invited to give a chance to less experienced tellers who need a stage to grow. Consider your words in speech, telephone, or email. Are you too confident in being chosen?

During Audition: Did you arrive on time if a time slot was reserved? Are you pleasant when you turn in your application? Does your tone sound flustered, impatient, or annoyed? If you are a walk-in, do you understand that you might need to wait a while based on the number who came to audition?

After Audition: If chosen to be part of the event, do you continue to have good manners towards any and all people involved with the event? If not chosen, do you keep your anger in check? I like to write a personal letter to each person not chosen to tell. I share the positive as well as what could be improved to possibly be chosen the next year. Much time and thought go into these letters.

The good news is that most people receive full points for the Respect the Committee category.

So be outstanding at the next audition. You could be a star.

Until we tell again,

Rachel Hedman

Professional Storyteller

Tel: (801) 870-5799
Email: info@rachelhedman.com

URL: http://www.rachelhedman.com/

How-To Blog: http://storytellingadventures.blogspot.com/

Family Famine Series Site: http://www.familyfamine.com/

Year of the Family Book: http://www.yearofthefamily.com
Fan Page: http://www.facebook.com/rachelfans
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