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.
