In recent times, Diann lived in care facility. Jackie Wright had a long-term, special, best friends, mentorship with Diann over the years. She tell this story of a visit.
“On my very first visit with Diann, I took a monkey stuffed animal Papa & I named Fredrick. Diann had given Fredrick to Papa when he was in the hospital for the tumor he had in 2014. So, he wanted Fredrick to keep Diann company at Barathaven. Needless to say, I never saw Fredrick again on any of my visits. We knew he was there somewhere, making somebody happy. Well, I'm happy to say that Papa and I saw Fredrick today! A resident with a walker came into the activity room and on the seat of that walker was a collection of stuffed animals. And there was Fredrick! Diann's full name is on his label. The activity director told me that particular resident goes into rooms and collects everyone's stuffed animals; and of course, while we are watching her, she was taking a stuffed animal off a shelf in the activity room to add to her collection.”
From Diann's Telling Website
Professional storyteller/educator Diann Joy Bank shares her humorous Jewish folklore and multicultural stories sprinkled with the language of the culture, including ASL (sign language). Blending audience participation, rhythm, and song, she evokes our imaginations and teaches us an appreciation for others. She believes that storytelling inspires enthusiasm for reading and writing that helps us to pass on cultural values and traditions. In her parent, teacher, and students’ workshops, she helps us become storytellers ourselves.
Diann’s philosophy: Through the art of storytelling, we can spark childrens’ and adults’ imaginations to bring peace among us one story at a time. Diann’s stories will “touch your audience’s hearts, tickle their funny bones, and challenge their spirits!” If you want to be entertained, relive memories, experience past cultures, or learn to be a storyteller, give her a call....and laugh happily ever after. Her secret: She tells from her heart to ours!
Through hands-on storytelling performances and workshops to enhance the appreciation of others and through literacy teach values from multicultural and Jewish folklore. Diann is known as the “Joy of Storytelling,” through her high energy performances. As a Jewish early childhood educator, an ESL teacher, and public school elementary teacher assistant, she turned the pages of each student’s imaginations through “story.” As a featured festival storyteller throughout Missouri, Illinois, and Wisconsin, she is recognized as a hands-on storytelling workshop leader for students, teachers, librarians, parents, and seniors. Her recipe of rhythm, using percussion instruments with her audiences, and active participation brings everyone into her imaginative story. She shares her traditional Jewish folklore to guide her audiences to develop and reinforce values of trustworthiness, fairness, kindness, and respect to make wise choices in our lives.
