What Others Say About Jen
Performances
“Thanks so much for coming to Chatterington Middle School yesterday to tell Urban Legends. Our students really enjoyed your programs and have been retelling and embellishing stories all day. I really like your delivery. You were warm and spontaneous but also “hip” and “cool” and didn’t talk down to the kids or preach at them. You did a great job”.
Diane Falconer, Media Specialist, Chatterington Middle School, Warren, Michigan.
Workshops
“The light from Jenifer Strauss’ lamp still shines in me. “Let a story be told…Let a story be heard…Let a story be told again: is a fitting motto for such a great storyteller…Her powerful approach was tailored specifically for our group, and fit perfectly into our class format. As a business student, I found it interesting and insightful to hear about a storyteller or entrepreneurs business and marketing plan”.
Chris DeWinter, student at Grand Valley State University.
“Thank you for the wonderful workshop you did with the Better Kid Care Staff.
You are a truly gifted and talented storyteller and teacher; you modeled for staff what it means to combine creativity with education. The Staff were thrilled with your presentation and many commented how what they learned will be helpful in their work”.
Karen A Shirer, Ph.D., Project Director and Assistant Professor for Michigan State University Extension, Family and Consumer Science.
Library Programs
“As always it was a delight having you tell stories at Willard Library yesterday. What a fun program of guessing and using clues. It is especially appealing that the kids can come up with their own wild and clever solutions”.
Dick Strader, Children’s Librarian, Willard Library, Battle Creek, Michigan
“My staff member and I, and all 35 teens who attended the event, thoroughly enjoyed the urban legends, scary stories and personal tales that you related. It was very gratifying to see teens, who previously had only been in to use our computers for I-Ming friends, among the members of the audience. I believe they have a new appreciation for what their library has to offer them.”
Your vibrant personality and easy manner of telling your tales made it seem more like friends getting together to share stories than a performer in front of an audience. You captivated us all!”
Anita O’Brien, Youth Librarian at Bacon Memorial District Library in Wyandotte, Michigan
Writing Residencies and Turning Points Personal Narrative Model
Quotes from teachers
“Strauss’ ability to turn what students might think is an ordinary story into something extraordinary is what makes her such an effective speaker”.
Audrey DuBois, Barryton Title I teacher, Barryton Elementary School, Barryton, Michigan
“Thank you so much for sharing your wonderful talent with the children of our school! You have truly been an inspiration to them and have gotten them EXCITED about writing! You love and excitement for storytelling shines through every story you tell and every lesson you teach.”
Vicki Bowem, 4th grade teacher
“Our students have responded to you with enthusiasm and respect. You’ve changed their lives by giving them the confidence and desire to be better writers.”
Pat Hammond, Title I teacher, Weidman Elementary School, Weidman, Michigan
“This was the most wonderful week. I am so pumped up about writing. I’m hoping it’s contagious! Last night’s storytelling performance by the students was amazing! Thanks for all your work and enthusiasm.”
Linda Freeman, teacher at Weidman Elementary School
“Thank you so much for the work you did with my students this week! The stories are turning out great and they are much more excited about writing. It has been a great way to start the year.“
Sarah Nestle, 5th grade teacher
“This week I marveled at my students as they put their adventure to paper. I creid as I listened to their stories both happy and sad; funny and serious. I saw each one from a new place. I grew as both a writer, and a teacher of writing. Thank you for your spirit and energy, but most of all for sharing your gift of storytelling.”
Angela Dey, 5th grade teacher
Quotes from students:
“This week was the big-bang of the school year. I learned to love writing so much, I might get a 1 on the MEAP again!” Logan Lee Snyder, 5th grade student
“Storytelling is a gift from the mouth.” Hope James, 5th grade student
“I had so much fun learning to write better details. I appreciate that you are teaching kids about writing better. Thank you for teaching me to be a better storyteller, and a magnificent writer.” 4th grade student
“You really inspired me to write more stories and hopefully my family will listen. Maybe I’ll get my dog to listen. I learned that stories come from your imagination but some stories come from your heart.”
Cassie Bertzler, Sister Lakes School, Dewagiac, Michigan
Keynotes
“The effort you put forth to develop a quality presentation served to enhance the knowledge of the persons who attended the conference and contributed to the effectiveness of the Recipient Rights protection system in the state of Michigan.”
Andrew Silver, Director of Training, Office of Recipient Rights, Michigan Department of Community Health
“Very good speaker and engaging presenter.”
“She was wonderful, and truly a joy to listen to.”
“I thought Jenifer was very engaging. I would definitely recommend her to other groups.”
“I loved her high energy and even her personal experience with her mom brought a connection and understanding of our organization.”
Members of the marketing team for 42 Presbyterian Home Sites in Minnesota