Jenifer Strauss
Training Consultant and Speaker
Jenifer
Strauss is a speaker, storytelling and educator who engages audiences with a warm
and interactive style, in over 300 speaking engagements a year. Jenifer's speaking
style is energetic and thought-provoking…inviting and honest…heart-warming
and lively!
As an environmental educator, Jenifer shared traditional
stories to help students understand how the earth works. During ten years as a
public school educator, she used storytelling with Middle School students to capture
interest, motivate learning and inspire writing. In 1993, Jenifer combined her
talent as teacher and storyteller to start Story Be Told Productions. Now traveling
nationally, Jenifer offers keynotes, story performances, writing workshops, and
long-term involvements as an Artist-in-Residence. Using the Michigan Department
of Education curriculum and writing standards, Jenifer developed a personal narrative
writing model called "Turning Points!"™, that she presents to schools,
non-profit organizations, and businesses.
Jenifer's
credentials include a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Michigan,
an elementary education degree from Western Michigan University, and a secondary
education degree in Biology from Michigan State University. Her professional involvements
include partnership in a collaborative business called Cygnus Storytelling, LLC,
whose publications and recordings include "Telling Stories: A Storytelling
Handbook", and a CD called "U Tell A Tale: Stories Told Through-U"
produced for the Institute on Media and the Family's early childhood program.
Jenifer's recent speaking engagements include:
Presbyterian
Homes Marketing Professional Development Workshop,
"Turning Points"
Jan. 2008. Minneapolis, MN
The Southwest Regional Leadership Forum,
Sarkey's Foundation,
"Why Do They Act That Way" Breakout Session,
Nov. 2007. Norman, OK.
The Macomb County's 12th Annual Parenting Conference,
Keynote:
"Storytelling in the Family". March 2007. Clinton Township,
MI.
1st Annual Grand Rapids Public Schools Parent Action Leader Network
Conference, Keynote and Workshops, May 2007, Western Michigan University Grand
Rapids Conference Center, Grand Rapids, MI.
Oakland County Child Care
Council, Keynote, "Super Heroes…The Power of Story to Connect Imagination
to Education", May 2007. Michigan State University Extension Center Troy,
MI.
Michigan Library Association Literature and the Child Conference
Keynote, Sept. 2006. Lansing, Michigan.
13th
Annual Recipient Rights Conference Keynote: "The Road to Rights",
Oct. 2006, Grand Rapids, Michigan.
Fourteenth
Annual Parenting Awareness Michigan Conferences Keynote. "Connecting
Imagination to Eduction" Oct. 2006, Marquette, MI. Nov. 2006, Lansing, MI.
Sponsored by Prevention Network and Parenting Awareness Michigan.
Michigan
Prevention Association Conference Keynote. "Stories For Prevention".
Nov. 2006. Lansing, MI. Sponsored by Prevention Network Michigan.
