Cherry Creek Storytellers
Ignite Imaginations
Build Literacy Skills
Strengthen Communities
Cherry Creek Storytellers is a volunteer organization dedicated to bringing oral storytelling and intergenerational relationships to elementary schools in the Cherry Creek School District.
The group was started by our founder Jim Hilton in 2013. The group started with a small number of retired Cherry Creek employees and interested community members. Cherry Creek Storytellers has grown and flourished over the years. There are now 30 storytellers. Many, but not all, of the storytellers are retired. The storytellers represent a wide range of folks with a variety of backgrounds.
We currently tell stories in 14 elementary schools in the Cherry Creek School District. We hope to continue to grow. New volunteers are always needed and welcome!
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 dates – TBD
Please check the website cherrycreekstorytellers.org for training updates
All training sessions will take place from 1:00 – 4:00 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 info@cherrycreekstorytellers.
Training Content is standardized; however, other training requirements may differ among affiliate Spellbinder organizations.
Cherry Creek Storytellers 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: Cherry Creek School District – Student Achievement Services Center
14188 E Briarwood Ave, Centennial, CO 80112
We would love to have you join us for our monthly meeting and meet the Cherry Creek Storytellers! If this is your first visit, please email our group leader Lisa Cole at info@cherrycreekstorytellers.
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 info@cherrycreekstorytellers.org
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. We hope to expand to more schools each year as our numbers allow.
- High Plains Elementary
- Belleview Elementary
- Cottonwood Elementary
- High Line Community Elementary
- Cherry Hills Village
- Creekside Elementary
- Greenwood Elementary
- Dry Creek Elementary
- Holly Ridge Elementary
- Homestead Elementary
- Mission Viejo Elementary
- Independence Elementary
- Timberline Elementary
- Woodland 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
“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 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
- Mary Lyle, Vice President
- Noreen Keleshian, Secretary and Treasurer
- Carolyn Hinds, Member at Large
- Kaitlin Esquivias, Member at Large
Meet our Trainer
Jim Towle
Bred and born in Colorado I was introduced to storytelling as a small boy by my grandfather. He explained that we needed a good story to tell gram-ma about why we were coming home from our fishing trip with no fish.
After graduating from Cherry Creek High, I expanded and enhanced my storytelling skills while serving in the navy. A good story was imperative if you missed the liberty boat and were LATE returning to the ship from liberty in such places as Hong Kong, Keelung or Vung-tau.
While a student at CSU I led wilderness excursions for incoming freshmen. Telling stories around the campfire at night was MANDATORY part of my job. After 12-years of misadventures in Alaska I returned home to Colorado and met Jim Hillton, the founder of CCST, who convinced me I should be telling stories to 2nd graders.
Our Impact
Each year Cherry Creek Storytellers volunteers take the time to ignite imaginations, build literacy skills, and strengthen our communities. For the school year of 2024-2025, our local organization had: