Storytelling and Success: How Storytelling Can be Used to Promote Diversity, Cross-Cultural Understanding, and Confidence in the Classroom

Abstract

Storytelling plays an important role in preserving historical and cultural traditions. Research proves it is beneficial to utilize in the classroom setting as well. One college seeks to cultivate an interest in storytelling for teacher education candidates by having storytelling incorporated into their future classrooms. In two of the education courses, Education (EDUC) 488—Cross Cultural Education; Native American Studies, and Interdisciplinary Studies (IDS) 200—Encounter with Cultures, prospective teachers gain an appreciation of different cultures and traditions through storytelling. This article will address the personal and teaching benefits that arise from implementing storytelling into classroom curriculum.