May

Bev Brayden

Bev Brayden, still going strong at 80 years young, has planted seeds of character, literacy and love in more than 7,000 Denver metro area school children, proving that you can make a difference in your community at every stage in your life. For 22 years, Bev has served as a volunteer Spellbinders storyteller in area schools, introducing children to time-tested fables and folktales that bring to life the wisdom, culture and humor of many cultures. This May, Bev is being honored as the Spellbinder of the Month by Spellbinders National Office for her extraordinary commitment to children’s literacy and her community.

Each month, Bev visits seven classrooms each at Prospect Valley Elementary School in Jefferson County and Fairmont Elementary School in Denver. Depending on the request of the teacher, she might tell a true story of a Colorado historical figure or take children on a vicarious and fanciful journey to Africa for peeks at far off cultures and customs. Her tales of unlikely heroes and heroines and of overcoming tall odds teach children about compassion, bravery, generosity and self-respect.

The teachers whose classrooms Bev visits are effusive in their comments on her gift. “We just love Bev,” says Prospect Valley Elementary School Teacher Susan Monaco. “Her stories bring literacy to life for these children, sparking their imaginations and their interest in language and reading. Bev is magical.”

Bev began her storytelling journey in Denver in 1988, when she took the first storytelling class organized by Germaine Dietsch who was serving as a volunteer coordinator for Denver Public Schools. After eleven years of storytelling in Denver schools, Bev, a Lakewood resident, founded the Jefferson County Chapter of Spellbinders. Her hard work and countless hours of time and caring have made it the largest chapter in the Spellbinders’ family. Under her leadership, Jefferson County Spellbinders has trained 190 people as volunteer storytellers. Each school year, Jefferson County Spellbinders reach a total audience of more than 80,000 children in 561 classrooms throughout the county. In 2005, Bev’s contributions to her community were recognized by the Denver Foundation with her receipt of the Minoru Yasui Community Volunteer Award.

When asked of the impact of her hard work on school children and her chapter members, Bev is humble. “It’s pure selfishness on my part. Each time I go into a classroom I just get fed by these children’s hearts.” She is also quick to add that this avocation would have been impossible for her to pursue without the steadfast support of her husband Tom.

At the end of June, Bev is retiring from being Chapter Leader, but she will continue telling stories at Prospect Valley and Fairmont elementary schools. Her folk tales and stories that match the curriculum will continue to be appreciated by students who love the magic she brings.

Bev encourages anyone interested in giving back to their community to become a Spellbinders’ storyteller by finding their local chapter at www.spellbinders.org.