"Let your light shine" Storyteller Debra Mims Enchants Lower School with Tales her Grandmother Once Told

On the first Friday of each month, the Pre-Kindergarten through sixth grade students gather together for a Lower School Assembly where they share news, celebrate achievements, perform for each other, and hear from guest speakers on a variety of important themes. This morning’s “theatre assembly” was especially engaging for students of all ages, as Storyteller Debra Mims visited Indian Creek and transformed into character ‘Grandmother Sally Kathryn Mims’ to tell students stories her grandmother once told her.

These interactive stories had students on the edge of their seats, as Ms. Mims shared an entertaining mix of ghost, folk, and “cautionary” tales found in African, African-American, and Caribbean literature. Each tale came with its own message and lesson to be learned. The goal of this program was to illustrate lessons to the children so they can use positive thinking, problem solving skills, and action to make choices

Ms. Mims shared many tales that her grandmother had told her as a young girl, which left the kids wide-eyed and giggling with excitement. For one story, she even invited a group of students to take the stage and act out the story for their peers. At the end of the session, several students shared what they learned. “Don’t be disrespectful.” “Listen to adults.” “Follow directions.” “Never touch a hot pot on the stove.” And the students’ favorite: “Never trouble trouble so trouble won't trouble you.” The program ended with the instructions for the children to “Get still and let your light shine.”

The November Lower School Assembly reminded all who attended that children (and adults) of all ages love the magic of storytelling. Thank you to Ms. Debra Mims for sharing her gift with the children of Indian Creek School.
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Indian Creek school is a co-educational, college preparatory independent school, located in Crownsville, Maryland.  Students in Pre-K3 through grade 12 receive a vibrant educational experience based on excellent academics steeped in strong student-teacher connections.