julie.barnson@gmail.com
(801) 302-9418
Julie Barnson has always been a storyteller. She just didn’t know it! She would tell stories to her friends on long car rides or on campouts. It wasn’t until she attended a storytelling class at Brigham Young University that she learned that you could actually BE a storyteller! Since then she has worked telling stories at schools, libraries, festivals, and other events. . She was one of the leaders for the Salt Lake City Youth Teller Chapter and a story guide for the Salt Lake City Ghost Tours. She has served as Olympus Chapter president, and is the current state secretary for the guild. She loves sharing stories with others!
Julie’s Residency Philosophy & Approach
I was a leader for the Storytelling Guild Youth Chapter, and have been a storytelling teacher and coach at Liberty Elementary for the last three years. I have done after school programs, and in school residencies. I like to use a version of the Raising Voices program by Judith Sima and Kevin Cordi. My lessons consist of telling a story to lead by example, then some kind of activity relating to the skill we are learning. Some of my favorite activities include Virginia Reel storytelling which lets students practice their story to a variety of partners by standing in a line and taking turns telling to the person across from them before switching partners. I also enjoy a visualization activity that lets the students picture their setting and character more clearly.
Julie’s Special Training
– Degree in both Elementary and Special Education
– Worked for four years in the Jordan School District teaching High School Biology
– Olympus Chapter Leader
– Utah Storytelling Guild State Secretery for two years.
– Teller at Weber State three years in a row, including a visiting teller at a local elementary
– Professional Storyteller for ten years
Residencies Julie Has Done
9/2010- 5/2011 Youth Storytelling Chapter Leader- taught basic storytelling one night a week through the school year. for youth 8-18.
3/2013- Storytelling coach at Liberty Elementary after school one hour every day for two weeks.
3/2014- Storytelling coach Liberty Elementary after school one hour every day for two weeks
1/2015-3/2015- Resident Storytelling coach at Liberty Elementary working with the 3rd grade for one hour twice a week.