Ignite Imaginations
Build Literacy Skills
Strengthen Communities
About Us
High Prairie Storytellers’ (previously Douglas County Spellbinders®) volunteers are fun-loving and care deeply about the education and development of the children in our community.
Our main purpose is to enhance literacy, encourage character development, and build intergenerational community through the art of oral storytelling for the benefit of both listeners and storytellers.
For 20 years, High Prairie Storytellers’ Volunteers have shared stories with children in Douglas County Schools. High Prairie Storytellers was started by Priscilla Queen and began as a part of the Douglas County Library in 2000. Although we are no longer a part of the Douglas County Library, we continue to receive support in many other ways from them. Our 31 active Storytellers proudly serve in almost 30 schools throughout Douglas, Elbert, and El Paso Counties.
Upcoming Trainings
“Once Upon a Time…
…One Story at a time”
Become part of the Magic!
Sign up for 2022
Spellbinder National Volunteer Storyteller Training for Cherry Creek and High Prairie Storytellers Local Storytelling Groups
Four Sessions: Fee: $60 (Pay to trainer by check, cash, or online via PayPal or Venmo + $5 CBI Background Check Fee (Paid online) All Participants will need to show proof of Covid-19 Vaccination and provide picture identification Ignite Imagination Encourage Literacy Connect Generations Spellbinder Trained Storytellers share the rich oral tradition of tales that teach and enchant. The National Spellbinders’ Storytelling training will provide you with the knowledge and skills to tell stories to kids of all ages. Working with teachers, volunteer storytellers to enhance literacy, stimulate imagination and broaden multicultural understanding. A Spellbinders Trained Storyteller: For more information about becoming a volunteer storyteller and upcoming training classes, contact: Denise Rucks, Trainer for Cherry Creek and High Prairie Storytellers drrucks@me.com 303-921-8462 Cherry Creek and High Prairie Storytellers Local Storytelling Groups (501(c)(3) non-profit organizations) are licensed by Spellbinders® National, an award winning 501(c) (3) non-profit organization that enhances literacy, develops character and builds intergenerational community
We meet monthly on the first Wednesday of the month during the school year from 1-3 PM via Zoom during the pandemic. We invite you to join us for our monthly meeting and meet our High Prairie Storytellers Community! If this is your first visit and you would like more information, please email Jo Croall at jocroallhps@gmail.com to let us know that you are coming and we will provide you with the Zoom link.
Contact Us
Licensee Leader Email:
Jo Croall at jocroallhps@gmail.com
Monthly Meeting Location: Philip S. Miller Library
100 S Wilcox St Castle Rock, CO 80104
Meet Our Board of Directors
The Board of Directors
The Board of Directors of High Prairie Storytellers share a love of storytelling and an interest in promoting the tradition of oral storytelling with the members of the High Prairie Storytellers.
The Board of Directors includes Jo Croall, Rachel Brogan, Gene Kozleski, Sandra Byrd, Sally Fynes and Kelly Everitt.
The Board helps support and encourage our members in the art of storytelling, by planning fun monthly meetings with time for fellowship, shared stories, and ideas as well as help in becoming better storytellers.
Meet Our Trainer
Denise Rucks
Denise grew up in PA, graduated from Pitt with a BS in Psychology, moved to Colorado in 1980, met her husband Jeff we’ve been together ever since.
She received her MA in Elementary Education and has taught all grades between 3rd and 8th grades and was a staff developer/mentor.
Since retiring Denise works part-time for the tour season in Williamsburg, VA for Worldstrides. She enjoys spending time with her three grandchildren, enjoys bowling, traveling the world, scuba diving, hiking, camping, and biking, but most of all telling stories as a Spellbinder Storyteller.
Newly Trained Storytellers
Linda Kranz
Pauline Lussenhop
Our Impact
Each year High Prairie Storytellers Volunteers take the time to ignite imaginations, build literacy skills, and strengthen our communities. For the school year of 2022 – 2023, our Licensee had: