Geri Keams

Bright Eyed and Bushy Tailed at this school in Los Angeles. I had 3 programs this day with K-2, 3-4, and 5-6. It was a rather large school with close to 1200 students. Some of these schools are so large it takes awhile to get everyone in the auditorium.
These first graders are the first to get seats right up front. I perform the same stories for all grades, however, it’s more participatory for the younger ones. I find that the older ones are “too cool” to act along with the story sometimes. That’s okay!
They still have fun listening!

This is a school I return to year after year to kickstart their unit on Native Americans and Storytelling.
I perform my program, “Native Legends Come Alive” for third grade only.
Its a great way to start off the unit on Native Americans and or Storytelling. Please email me if you are a third grade teacher and need to find ways to start your unit on Native Americans. My email address is keams@charter.net

I performed two 45 minute storytelling programs at this school. I bring “native” legends to life using voice, hands, and gestures that are age appropriate and both entertaining and educational. I have been performing for kids of all ages for over 20 years and now I’m giving away my age!

I enjoy my work very much, although, I don’t see it as work but lots of fun to be with the kids and see the light in their eyes and smiles on their faces. I use alot of humor as that is a way to break down the barriers of cultures and I see the students open their minds and their hearts when they can laugh and smile while they learn about a culture. The Native American culture isn’t about being too serious but about bringing people into the circle. The best way to do that is to welcome them. To take them by the hand and show them the way we learn and how we pass on the culture through the power of story.

Spirit Symbol Workshop at Emerson in Burbank. I offer five different workshops to schools and I was at Emerson over five days.
I did the Pictographs, Storyboarding, Spirit Symbols, and Story Basket Workshops. They run 45 - 60 minutes each depending on the school schedule. The fee for the workshops run about $100 per hour. I work with each school and will do my best to accomodate their needs. I have been going to Emerson every year for over five years and work with four classes of third grade.
Third grade focuses on Native American studies and we do in depth work in storytelling and cultural symbols.
If you are interested in having me come to your school please email me at keams@charter.net

My dearest friend and most beloved grandmother passed away in March and she rests in the place that met the most to her.
She was my mentor and teacher and I will truly miss her. She lives on in my words, my thoughts, and my very soul.
Love you grandma!

Taking a breather in the park. Beautiful!

Jessie is Winnebago and Lakota Sioux. He looks like he could be my son!
Jessie is a fourth grader at Kentwood Elementary School near Loyola Marymount in Los Angeles.

I met these wonderful people at a recent conference held in Los Angeles. Most of the delegates were indigenous teachers, administrators, and educators from Mexico City, Chiapas, Yucatan, Veracruz, Guatemala and others.
They met with many other educators from across America, Canada, and Mexico to discuss the many issues facing education today..
It was both an honor and a pleasure to meet with many of the delegates and hear stories of how their communities are addressing the problems with the privatization of schools everywhere.
Some of these hearty individuals actually live in small villages and had to walk for hours to get to a bus and finally to the airport to fly to Los Angeles. Amazing! The strength and courage these people have! They have my respect!

Geri’s children’s book, “Grandmother Spider Brings The Sun” was featured at this Newport Beach school during their Authors Day events in March 2008. Geri gave a 45 minute storytelling assembly to grades 3-5 and students were able to purchase Geri’s book for $8 and have their own personal books autographed by Geri. Students were excited and thrilled to meet and hear stories by a real Native American author and storyteller!

Geri, storyteller, with Jerry, principal and students at Author’s Day at Schmitt Elementary School in Westminster, CA