Michael R. Kasony-O'Malley, Professional Storyteller, offers a variety of small group storytelling workshops including classroom workshops for students (K - 12), professional development workshops for teachers, and storytelling workshops for other adults. Michael's workshops are often a part of his special one-week and two-week storytelling residencies for schools.


Classroom Workshops for Students:

Stories for the Earth Mother - "What's Science got to do with it?" - (Grades K - 8)
Michael leads a variety of workshops combining the art of storytelling with hands-on science experiments. Michael educates young people about environmental issues and inspires students as stewards of our Earth. Environmental stories, nature tales, original stories, discussions, and experiments provide students with "seeds of knowledge" that promote caring for our Earth. Each workshop is tailored to the age level of the students.

Story Telling to Story Writing - "The Art of Keeping the Pencil Moving" - (Grades 3 - 12)
Michael presents various workshops combining the art of storytelling with the art of creative writing. Michael shares original tales, describes his personal writing strategies, leads students through writing exercises, and discusses the writing process. Each workshop is tailored to the age level of the students.

Students as Storyteller - (Grades K - 12)
Michael teaches a range of workshops that help students develop storytelling skills. Combining drama activities, story coaching, small-group exercises, and individualized story practice, Michael helps young storytellers develop the oral communication skills necessary for effective public speaking and storytelling. Each workshop is tailored to the age level of the students.

"It was fantastic to see the engaging way that Michael was able to involve all of the students." Classroom Teacher, Ashtabula, OH

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Workshops for Teachers:

Michael leads professional development workshops as teacher in-services and at educational conferences. His range of teacher workshops includes: Storytelling for Students, Teachers as Storytellers & Stories as Teachers, Storytelling and Literacy, Storytelling Across the Curriculum, Storytelling for Parents, Storytelling Strategies for Title 1 Teachers, Parents' Night Programs, and Why Have Storytelling in our Schools? In each of these workshops, Michael draws on his educational background, his experiences as a classroom teacher, and his continuing work as a full-time professional storyteller. Michael is an honors graduate with an M.S. degree in Elementary Education. He has shared his stories and his storytelling craft with tens of thousands of students and teachers in Ohio and surrounding states. Michael is an advocate for the ancient art of storytelling and Michael is an advocate for our children. With his breadth of experience, Michael offers practical, "tried and true" techniques for bringing the powerful educational tool of storytelling into any school or classroom. Michael can tailor these professional development workshops to meet the specific needs of your school, your school district, or your educational conference.

"Michael's workshop for Title 1 teachers and administrators in our region was well-organized, interactive, entertaining, and inspiring. He shared specific methods for integrating storytelling into the curriculum, with an emphasis on exciting students as readers, while also helping them improve their oral communication skills. His workshop was so stimulating that a number of teachers immediately signed him up for storytelling programs in their schools." Dr. William Wotring, principal, Newport School, Newport, OH

Workshops for Adults:

Michael offers a number of adult workshops for fellow storytellers, parents, grandparents, and other adults interested in the storytelling craft. His adult workshops include The Book of Questions for Storytellers (1-2 hours), Parents as Storytellers and Stories as Teachers (1-2 hours), Grandparents as Storytellers and Stories as Teachers (1-2 hours), Why Tell? The Power of Story in our Lives, our Culture, and our Future (2 - 4 hours), and Michael's special full-day workshop for storytellers: The Storyteller's Path: Each Journey Unique - A Workshop to Encourage, Guide, and Inspire Storytellers (Full Day - 5 hours minimum). Below is a detailed description of each of these adult workshops. Other adult storytelling workshops may be tailored to meet your group's needs.

"All the students were actively engaged. Michael successfully tied in science, social studies, the writing process, and language arts. Students who rarely participate in whole group discussions felt comfortable enough to participate." Michelle Coneglio, Classroom Teacher, Columbus, OH

"An excitement for stories and reading was felt in the air. Storytelling (and stories) were made to be 'cool' things." Classroom Teacher, Pickerington, OH

"Wow!"
"This is something I will try." "What a great way to stimulate children's story writing." "Michael's passion is wonderful." Sample of comments from Michael's workshop at Writing for Children Conference

Parents as Storytellers and Stories as Teachers (1-2 hours)
(also Grandparents as Storytellers and Stories as Teachers)
This workshop is especially designed for parents and grandparents who want to tell stories to youngsters in their families and/or share their family stories with others. Beginning with his own family stories, Michael leads us through a combination of discussion, reflection, small-group activities, and one-on-one interactions, guiding and encouraging participants to share their own stories. A number of "tried and true" strategies are offered, including how to create a "storytelling atmosphere in the home" and concrete "story starters" for parents and grandparents.

Why Tell? The Power of Story in our Lives, our Culture, and our Future (2 - 4 hours)
This lively workshop is designed for all adults interested in the power of stories and storytelling. Michael leads an interactive exploration into the role of story telling and the value of story listening in our fast-paced, techno-savvy world. Stories entertain us, stories guide us, stories teach us, and stories reflect us. Stories shape our relationships and stories shape our world. As agents of social change, as stewards of our earth, as conveyors of wisdom traditions, and as spirit beings on our sacred paths, one of our greatest tools is story. Every human being is a storyteller and we each have sacred stories worth telling. Through story listening, reflection, and story telling, we will explore the power of story in our lives and the potential of storytelling in our world.

The Book of Questions for Storytellers (1-2 hours)
In this workshop for storytellers, Michael presents a series of storytelling questions for reflection and discussion. Participants are invited to ask themselves questions they may never have thought of before. Silly questions, difficult questions, magical questions, and (seemingly) mundane questions are raised, to encourage storytellers to look at their storytelling with fresh eyes and new insights. Whether you are a seasoned professional storyteller or just beginning to tell stories, these questions will help you to focus your energies, clarify your goals, and revitalize your storytelling spirit.

Here's what folks are saying about Michael's workshops for adults:

"As I write this evaluation of Michael's workshop, I'm making every attempt not to burst into tears after hearing his last story. I've learned about the impact that stories can have on people and therefore on culture. Amazing!" Workshop Participant, Columbus, OH

"Michael guided us in sharing stories that we might not have otherwise thought worthy of sharing. Everyone was very engaged and Michael was very engaging. He showed us how we are all storytellers." Ellen Baumgartner, workshop coordinator, Simply Living Conference

"Very inspirational! The magic of story and the clear application of the process were here." Workshop Participant, Columbus, OH

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The Storyteller's Path: Each Journey Unique
A Workshop to Encourage, Guide, and Inspire Storytellers
(Full-Day - 5 hours minimum)
In this fun, interactive, full-day workshop, Michael encourages and inspires storytellers to follow their unique paths. If you are a seasoned teller, a teacher or librarian with a passion for stories, a parent or grandparent reviving the ancient art of "the tale well told," or a beginning storyteller - just diving into your first tale, the Storyteller's Path Workshop is for you. What is your path? What has inspired your interest in storytelling? What are your current strengths and weaknesses as a storyteller? Where are you going with your storytelling? While certain talents and skills are common to most storytellers, every teller also has a special and unique contribution to make - if they honestly follow their own storytelling path. Through a combination of stories, questions, whole-group discussion, small-group reflection, and individual interaction, Michael invites storytellers to uncover and discover their own special gifts as "tellers of tales." Join us on the journey.

Here's what folks are saying about Michael's full-day Storyteller's Path Workshop:

"It was one of the most organized, most enjoyable, and most valuable workshops that I've ever taken part in." Paul Reece

"This five hour workshop was so well-designed and so tightly woven that not a moment seemed wasteful." Dr. Deleasa Randall-Griffiths, Associate Professor in Communication Arts, Ashland University

"He brought in the entire group, both new and experienced tellers. He promoted in-depth soul-searching and the importance of focus. It was a valuable day for me as a storyteller." Dave Kowalka

"Michael is a born teacher. His lessons will forever stay with me." Nancy Hanson

"Michael's Storyteller's Path Workshop lit my fire!! I left excited - with flames to further ignite!" Jennifer Magers