Ignite Imaginations
Build Literacy Skills
Strengthen Communities
About Us
Looking back over 14 years, several motivating characteristics that helped in founding Spellbinders of Littleton – the four “P’s”. They were:
PASSION for the program and for bringing quality storytelling to the Littleton Public Schools.
PURPOSE in giving back to our community in a way that might positively affect the character of our young listeners and also contribute a service to the schools that students, teachers, and administration would value and appreciate.
PERSISTENCE was to play a major role in achieving our early goals of finding a central, free, permanent meeting place, in recruiting our members, in conducting our first training, in funding our first professional programs, in finding an entry and then acceptance in LPS. We storytellers had to be serious about our endeavors and yet present our stories with the right degree of levity or
PLAYFULNESS that entertained both the listeners and the teller.
It all started when Dottie Colbenson and Marlin Cwach were introduced by our husbands at their company’s 2003 Christmas party. In the first five minutes of chatting, we discovered we were both Spellbinders in out-lying communities.
The Columbine tragedy was fresh in our minds. It had happened practically in our own back yards. One of the outcomes was the suggestion that lack of empathy, connectivity, and bullying contributed to these two bright young men, sons of professional parents, losing their human balance and plotting the destruction of their school and classmates.
They remembered the stories that influenced our lives from youth through adulthood and felt the children of our community needed stories in the Spellbinders style to help shape their lives.
Our community’s children needed examples of ordinary story characters rising from difficult situations to become successful, to even become heroes. They also needed to connect with caring adults beyond their family circles.
So, with great belief in the power of story, Dottie and Marlin began Spellbinders of Littleton in 2004. It is with great pride that we are still here telling stories, and have been able to enjoy the appreciation, education, and joy that our group has fostered over these years.
It is definitely the best volunteer job one can have! (By Marlin Cwach)
Our Monthly Meetings
Spellbinders® of Littleton meet monthly throughout the school year, August through May (no meeting in December).
When: 2nd Wednesday of each month
Time: 12:45 pm to 2:30 pm
Where: Littleton Public Schools Education Services Center
5776 S. Crocker Street, Littleton, CO 80120
We would love to have you join us for our monthly meeting and meet our Spellbinders® Community! Please email smiller1047@gmail.com to let us know that you are coming.
Upcoming Training
Our next training session will be scheduled for Spring of 2024.
Location:
- Littleton School Public Schools Administration Building
- 5776 S. Crocker Street
- Littleton 80120
- Room 3104 (3rd floor)
To participate in the upcoming training, please contact info@spellbinders.org.
Contact Us
Spellbinders® of Littleton is a Licensee of the 501 3(c) nonprofit Spellbinders®. We serve the community and school districts of Littleton.
Leaders’ Emails: smiller1047@gmail.com or eulberg.mb@gmail.com
Monthly Meeting Location: 5776 S. Crocker Street
Littleton, CO 80120
Our Leadership Team
Melanie Eulberg
Melanie Eulberg (aka “Mrs. E) is a former Littleton Public Schools teacher, and has been a Spellbinders of Littleton storyteller since 2009. She adores telling to first graders, who can so easily travel to the world of make-believe. She is always accompanied in the classroom by puppets and her Native American style flutes. Melanie loves writing poetry for kids, and has published a children’s book. She considers storytelling a perfect way to connect to the past and positively influence the future.
Sharon Miller
Sharon Miller retired from Littleton Public Schools in 2017. Shortly afterwards she became a Spellbinder storyteller. Sharon enjoys visiting various classrooms and telling stories. Her story sessions often include songs, poetry, chants, and fingerplays. In addition to storytelling, Sharon enjoys reading, playing piano, hiking, biking, and traveling with her husband, Jeff.
Meet Our Trainers
Brent Kieft
Brent Kieft has always enjoyed a good story and encouraging children. Spellbinders is a perfect match for both passions. After teaching in Douglas County classrooms for 30 years, he joined Littleton Spellbinders in 2009. Brent loves igniting students imaginations and the smiles and laughter he experiences while connecting with children through storytelling. As a trainer it is his mission to help Spellbinders grow in their storytelling skills and confidence.
Mary Schreiner
Mary has been telling stories for Spellbinders since 2006, and still receives excitement, enjoyment, and satisfaction from the interaction with the kids. She says that one never know when one might say the right thing, or tell the right story, and a child’s life will be changed or enhanced forever. Plus telling a story and looking directly into the eyes of children create connections that you do not get when reading a book. And a real plus is that she can ham it up and let the inner-actor out!
Our Impact
Each year, Spellbinders® of Littleton Storytelling Volunteers take the time to ignite imaginations, build literacy skills, and strengthen our communities. For the school year of 2022 – 2023, our local Licensee had: