Jim Flanagan is a national award winning storyteller and author.

Jim is an "Artists in the Schools," a program sponsored by the Greater Columbus Arts Council.

Jim is Co-President of the Storytellers of Central Ohio and a member of the National Storytelling Network.

Jim toured Ireland telling his stories in Irish schools around Ennis, County Claire.  Jim's tales received rave reviews.

Jim currently teaches writing at The James Thurber Writing Academy.  

Jim has told stories in over 200 schools throughout Ohio, Tennessee, Pennsylvania, Virginia, Louisiana and Maryland.  

Jim placed second in the National Storytelling Competition in 1999.

Jim has given storytelling workshops in Ohio and Louisiana.

"I'm not just a cultural diversity teller, but KID CULTURE storyteller."

"Jim creates laughs and lumps 
in your throat.  You will remember 
his tales.  He has the right 
story at the right time."

~ Washington D.C. Libraries

Fall 2007:   Jim Flanagan was the Wexner Center for the Arts Resident Storyteller in conjunction with the William Wegman exhibit.  

Four Reasons to Hire a Storyteller

1. It is the oldest and most basic way of transmitting information.

Facts convince but stories sell.

2.  The "What Works in Education," U.S. Department of Education report, 1998) states telling stories motivates kids to read more and stirs their imagination.

Stories lead to writing, you have to write a story down before you tell it.

3.  Storytelling can improve vocabulary, use of descriptive words, and provoke thought.

4.  Stories are easily internalized.

I tell the students, "You may not remember all the words of the stories, but you will remember how the stories made you feel."

Because of the entertainment value of storytelling, the students learn skills without realizing it.

Storytelling is one of the best ways to teach Character Education.

A comment from a 7th grade girl:
"We thought we were going to get a lecture.  Instead he told stories.  They really got to us."

1320 Yorkshire Ct., Circleville, OH  43113
Phone 740-474-7474
Cell Phone 740-412-1496
jirish@ohiohills.com

Programs

Character Education
Funny Stories
Ghost stories for all ages
Inspirational
A Combination of the above

What schools say about Jim's storytelling!

Gallia County Schools:

"Many kids thought it was the best ever.  Great character education.  Still talking about the stories 2 weeks later."

Washington DC Libraries

"Bring Jim back, he captured the kids attention...Funny."

Columbus Arts Festival

"Always crowd favorite."

Groveport Madison HS

"Held the students attention for 60 minutes.  Great.  Many teachers felt there was a change in behaviors."

Ohio Governor's Summit on Character Education

"One of the highest rated workshops, asked to return."

Columbus School for Girls

"There was total focus, great expression, we loved it."

Columbus Public Schools Teacher Workday

"Excellent resource, great workshop.  I realized how I can use storytelling a lot of ways."

St. Paul's Catholic School

"The stories really relate to the students!"

RATES
1 performance - $180, 
2 - $210, 3 - $300,
plus mileage

Special Programs

Character Education
Stories built around positive morals that always involve humor.  The kids start to laugh, listen and then the children learn.  Some stories involve discussion.  These tales come from my principal's journal.

Handling Ugly Teasing and Bullying, Grades K-12
Anger and Bully Management, and Sexual Harassment Talks, Grades 6-8
Writing and Telling Ghost Stories, 4th and 8th Grade Workshops