Cherry Creek Storytellers
Ignite Imaginations
Build Literacy Skills
Strengthen Communities
The origin of the group started with its leader, Dr. Jim Hilton’s interest in storytelling sparked on a trip to Ireland in 2013. When he discovered that one of the few school districts in Metro Denver without a Spellbinders chapter was Cherry Creek, he began meeting with District leaders including Superintendent, Dr. Harry Bull; Executive Director of Elementary Education, Mr. Chris Smith; and some elementary school principals who supported the formation of the group. They opened their buildings to showcase the power of storytelling and how seniors and children can form relationships while sharing a love for a good story.
The chapter started with a small group of retired Cherry Creek employees and interested community members. Initial training was done in cooperation with the Littleton School District chapter. This initial group of dedicated people made the most of their invitations to work in select schools, raise money to offset insurance and training expenses, and share their good work with friends and colleagues.
In Fall 2018 the chapter will welcome new members to over current group of around 30 storytellers. We continue to expand our reach within the district from eleven schools today in hopes of eventually bringing stories to all forty-six schools within the district.
Recruitment, retention, and continual professional development are on-going challenges, but we are proud of our work and our Spellbinders!
Upcoming Volunteer Training
Ignite Imagination ★ Encourage Literacy ★ Connect Generations
Spellbinders® Trained Storytellers share the rich oral tradition of tales that teach and enchant. Spellbinders® trained volunteer Storytellers tell (rather than read) stories once a month to students in grades K-5. Working with teachers, Storytellers enhance literacy, stimulate imagination, and broaden multicultural understanding.
A Spellbinders® Trained Storyteller:
★Becomes a “superstar” to an enthusiastic group of youngsters
★Has more FUN than you can imagine!!!
★Stays mentally sharp by learning and sharing new stories
★Meets other interesting people
Receives on-going support during and after training:
o consultation with a Certified Spellbinders® Trainer
o access to extensive collections of stories and resources
o monthly meetings with mini-workshops
o story ideas and suggestions from fellow volunteers
CHERRY CREEK STORYTELLERS TRAINING – Our next training session will be January-February 2025
- Monday, February 24th
- Wednesday, February 26th
- Friday, February 28th
- Monday, March 3rd
All training sessions will take place from 12:30 – 3:30 p.m. at Koelbel Library, 5955 S. Holly St. in Centennial.
Twelve hours of in-person classroom instruction is required. Initial phone interview is required to reserve a space.
“Classrooms and teachers throughout Colorado are begging for our trained storytellers. You will find it a deeply rewarding experience.” Cathy Lichty, 10 year Spellbinders’ Storyteller
For more information or to register for classes send an email to president@cherrycreekstorytellers.com
Spellbinders® is a 501(c3) non-profit organization that enhances literacy, develops character and builds intergenerational community
Training Content is standardized; however, other training requirements may differ among affiliate Spellbinder organizations.
Cherry Creek Spellbinders® meets monthly throughout the school year, August through June.
When: Typically on the 3rd Wednesday of each Month
Time: 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm
Where: Educational Service Center (ESC) Room 138
4700 S Yosemite St Greenwood Village, CO 80111
We would love to have you join us for our monthly meeting and meet our Spellbinders® Community! If this is your first visit, please email our Licensee Group Leader Lisa Cole at president@cherrycreekstorytellers.com to let us know that you are coming.
Contact Us
Cherry Creek Storytellers is a Licensee of the 501 3(c) nonprofit Spellbinders®. We serve the communities of the Cherry Creek School District.
Leader Email:
Lisa Cole at president@cherrycreekstorytellers.com
Monthly Meeting Location: Education Services Center Rm 138
4700 S. Yosemite St Greenwood Village, CO 80111.
Visit Cherry Creek’s website at:
Schools List
We currently tell at the following schools and have many more schools requesting tellers and hope to expand to more schools each year as out numbers allow.
- High Plains Elementary
- Belleview Elementary
- Cottonwood Elementary
- High Line Community Elementary
- Cherry Hills Village
- Creekside Elementary
- Greenwood Elementary
- Dakota Valley Elementary
- Dry Creek Elementary
- Holly Hills Elementary
- Holly Ridge Elementary
- Homestead Elementary
- Mission Viejo Elementary
CHERRY CREEK ANECDOTES
I went into a new Kindergarten classroom for the first time to tell stories. The teacher introduced me and I took a seat and had the children gather on the rug in front of me. One little boy sat down right next to my right leg and began looking intently at my face. After all the children got settled I turned my attention to this boy to see if he had a question? He stared at me a moment more and then said, “You’re really old.” I laughed and replied, “Yes, I am. I have lived a lot of years and I have learned a lot of stories which I am going to share with you.”
Teacher Testimonials
Students were highly engaged with the stories and practiced retelling by writing a letter to their families. This provided an authentic writing opportunity.
From 4th Grade Teachers at Ponderosa Elementary
We work hard in 4th grade on inferring character traits, how characters change over time, and determining theme. Every story Mark brings in engaged our students and helps them practice these skills.
From 4th Grade Teachers at Ponderosa Elementary
Students are highly engaged. The storyteller keeps the student’s attention the entire time. Many of the stories have aligned well with what students have been learning in class.
From 4th Grade Teachers at Ponderosa Elementary
It was great for my kids comprehension, especially for kiddos that struggle to read. One of my struggling readers really connected with many of the stories and always wanted to find the books and stories online.
Creekside Elementary, 4th Grade Teacher
Patty told stories that went along with the writing units that I was teaching. It was SO perfect because she hit all of my teaching points in telling the stories that I want my students to hit while writing their stories. Her voice helped my readers to find voice in their writing.
Greenwood Elementary, 5th Grade Teacher
One of my severely impacted, special needs students LOVES to hear stories. He doesn’t react to new people and it typically takes years of seeing someone before he acknowledges someone. And don’t count on a hug, because that definitely doesn’t happen. When Patty came the second time, my student ran up to her and hugged her! He loves the books she brings and he reads them over and over.
Greenwood Elementary, 5th Grade Teacher
Our goal was to have students love reading. To hear stories is just one way to share that love.
Highline Elementary, 4th Grade Teacher
We used the some of the stories to meet our curriculum when we were teaching compare/contrast, main idea, as well as other academic goals throughout the school year.
Students are able to listen and be engaged in a story without technology and other resources. The story tellers are so engaging that students who usually have difficulty staying focused can sit and attend.
High Plains Elementary, 2nd Grade Teacher
The first time the story tellers came, I had a student who hadn’t shown much interest in reading. When he sat during the story telling, I was astounded at how he sat and leaned forward to be engaged in the story telling. It was a teaching moment you live to see.
High Plains Elementary, 2nd Grade Teacher
We are able to address the Speaking and Listening common core standard.
It brings the community into our school and allows students to visualize in a new way.
High Line Elementary, 4th Grade Teacher
Cherry Creek Storytellers Meetings are held at the Education Services Center: 4700 S. Yosemite St. Greenwod Village, CO
Meet our President
Lisa Cole
I am a retired Children’s Librarian. I worked in several library systems in the Denver Metro Area during my career. I began telling stories to groups of children as a librarian and I knew I wanted to do even more storytelling in retirement. Thankfully, I was able to connect with Cherry Creek Storytellers. I thoroughly enjoy working with this great group of folks and the extraordinary students who listen to my stories. My retirement days are also filled with doing part-time daycare for my granddaughter. I enjoy the journey of life.
Our Leadership Team
Cherry Creek Storytellers Leadership Team Includes:
- Lisa Cole, President
- Carolyn Hinds, Vice-president
- Jim Towle, Secretary
- Noreen Keleshian, Treasurer
- Kaitlin Esquivias and Kerry Tripp, members at large
Our Impact
Each year Cherry Creek Spellbinders® Storytelling Volunteers take the time to ignite imaginations, build literacy skills, and strengthen our communities. For the school year of 2023-2024, our Licensee had: