2025 Conference Archive

Format

Individual Presentation

Format

Workshop

First Presenter's Institution

Full Circle Press & Full Circle Educational Consulting

First Presenter’s Email Address

marina@fullcirclepress.org

First Presenter's Brief Biography

Dr. Marina Gillmore has built her professional career around working with youth, educators, and leaders in diverse settings and teaching, training, researching, and writing about issues related to critical literacy, equity and access, school culture and climate, belief and value exploration, and self-efficacy. She holds a doctorate in Leadership for Educational Justice and has conducted award-winning research on the experiences of underserved youth in urban environments. Marina is the CEO/Founder of both Full Circle Press and Full Circle Educational Consulting. Full Circle Press is an indie publishing house that provides writing resources, coaching, and publishing services for writers at every stage of the author journey. FCP’s mission is to amplify voices that have been sidelined, lead with integrity and publish first-class writing, and share the tough stories that need to be told. Marina has co-authored multiple books related to education, including What I Learned in the Midst of KAOS: The Making of an Ubuntu Teacher, and has supported dozens of educators in turning their experiences into books, curriculums, and programs that are being used in school districts and agencies throughout the U.S. As the CEO of Full Circle Educational Consulting, Marina and her team support schools, educational systems, and organizations in building cultures and climates where all young people and the adults who serve them daily can thrive in environments that prioritize belonging, courageous spaces, and growth. Marina formerly served as the Chief Academic Officer at the Cambio Group, an educational consultancy that specializes in working collaboratively within complex systems to create large-scale equity transformation that is sustainable. Her educational consulting work in literacy and equity has taken her throughout the country, with a strong emphasis on serving linguistically and culturally diverse communities. A southern California native, she currently resides in Tulsa, Oklahoma with her family, but spends as much time in her husband’s homeland of Costa Rica as possible.

Submitter

I am submitting this proposal as one of the presenter(s)

Location

Plimsoll

Strand #1

Head: Academic Achievement & Leadership

Strand #2

Heart: Social & Emotional Skills

Relevance

This presentation aligns closely with the conference strand of "Head: Academic Achievement & Leadership" by focusing on the role of storytelling in driving educational transformation, closing achievement gaps, and fostering inclusive learning environments for all students.

  1. Closing Achievement Gaps: Storytelling, as highlighted in the presentation, enhances student engagement and helps bridge cultural and social divides. By using personal narratives and diverse storytelling mediums, educators can better connect with students from different backgrounds, offering them a platform to express their experiences and build confidence. This ultimately contributes to more equitable learning environments where all students have a voice, regardless of their starting point.

  2. Promoting Learning for All: Storytelling fosters empathy, which is crucial for creating a supportive and inclusive school culture. When students and staff share their stories, it promotes a deeper understanding of individual needs and challenges, making it easier to tailor teaching strategies that meet the diverse needs of learners. This personalized approach helps educators better reach struggling students, closing gaps in achievement and promoting learning for all.

  3. Leadership & School Climate: The presentation’s emphasis on using storytelling to shape school culture and climate connects directly to leadership. School leaders who harness storytelling can inspire change, cultivate empathy, and drive a sense of belonging. By encouraging diverse narratives, they promote leadership at all levels of the school community, empowering both students and staff to take ownership of their roles in fostering an inclusive and engaged educational environment.

Overall, this presentation provides actionable strategies that school leaders can implement to improve student engagement, bridge achievement gaps, and create a culture of inclusion and transformation, making it a powerful tool for promoting academic success and leadership development in schools.

Brief Program Description

Discover the transformative power of storytelling in education with The Stories that Change Us workshop. Explore how storytelling enhances engagement, fosters empathy, and drives positive change in school communities. Through research-based insights and real-world examples, participants will gain practical tools for using narrative-driven approaches to create inclusive, supportive, and vibrant school environments.

Summary

In the dynamic landscape of education, the power of storytelling serves as a profound catalyst for change, shaping school culture and climate in transformative ways. Join us for an immersive workshop experience, "The Stories that Change Us," where we delve into the art and impact of storytelling within educational settings.

Throughout this engaging session, participants will explore the myriad ways in which storytelling can enhance engagement, foster empathy, and drive positive transformation within school communities. Drawing from research-based insights and real-world examples, attendees will uncover the potential of narrative-driven approaches to building inclusive, vibrant, and supportive school environments.

Key topics to be covered include:

  1. Understanding the role of storytelling in shaping school culture and climate.

  2. Exploring diverse storytelling mediums and techniques for effective communication.

  3. Harnessing the power of personal narratives to cultivate empathy and understanding.

  4. Leveraging storytelling to ignite student and staff engagement.

  5. Strategies for weaving storytelling into curriculum design and educational practices.

  6. Cultivating a culture of listening and amplifying diverse voices through storytelling.

Through interactive discussions, hands-on activities, and collaborative exercises, participants will leave equipped with practical tools and actionable insights to harness the power of storytelling as a force for positive change within their own school communities.

Join us at "The Stories that Change Us" workshop and embark on a transformative journey towards fostering a culture of connection, empathy, and empowerment in your school spaces. Let the power of story propel your school community towards new horizons of engagement and transformation.

Evidence

Kim, S. Y., & Yoon, J. S. (2014). "The Power of Storytelling: Narrative Theory and Practice." This research explores the application of narrative theory in education and its potential to transform school culture, foster engagement, and improve communication through storytelling.

Murphy, R. A., & Seabrook, R. D. (2018). "Empathy and Learning: A Narrative Approach to Education." This study highlights how storytelling fosters empathy and emotional intelligence, which are essential for promoting inclusivity and positive school culture.

Chamberlin-Quinlisk, C., & Senyshyn, R. (2018). "Storytelling as Pedagogy: Applying Narratives to Language Learning and Cultural Understanding." This study investigates the use of storytelling to bridge cultural gaps in education, promoting a deeper understanding of diverse perspectives and improving student engagement.

Jenkins, A., & Lonsdale, S. (2014). "Evaluating the Impact of Personal Stories on Empathy in Schools." This research evaluates the role of personal narratives in fostering empathy among students, supporting storytelling as a tool for creating more inclusive and empathetic learning environments.

Learning Objective 1

Participants will be able to gain a deep understanding of the ways in which storytelling influences school culture and climate, and its potential to drive positive change within educational settings.

Learning Objective 2

Participants will be able to acquire practical strategies and techniques for integrating storytelling into their school practices, curriculum design, and community engagement efforts, fostering increased engagement and transformation.

Learning Objective 3

Through exploration of diverse storytelling mediums and personal narratives, participants will learn how to cultivate empathy, amplify diverse voices, and create inclusive school environments that empower all members of the community.

Keyword Descriptors

Storytelling, Engagement, Empathy, School Culture, Inclusive Education

Presentation Year

2025

Start Date

3-4-2025 11:15 AM

End Date

3-4-2025 12:30 PM

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Mar 4th, 11:15 AM Mar 4th, 12:30 PM

The Stories that Change Us: Increasing Engagement & Transformation in School Spaces through the Power of Story

Plimsoll

Discover the transformative power of storytelling in education with The Stories that Change Us workshop. Explore how storytelling enhances engagement, fosters empathy, and drives positive change in school communities. Through research-based insights and real-world examples, participants will gain practical tools for using narrative-driven approaches to create inclusive, supportive, and vibrant school environments.