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Programs

Programs by Dr. Michael Lockett, “The Normal Storyteller”

International Storyteller, Children’s Author, Keynote Speaker, and Workshop Leader

Dr. Lockett has given over 4000 programs in 32 states across America and in 18 countries. Some of the notable organizations Dr. Lockett has presented for include:

  • Illinois Reading Council – Featured Author, 2016 (Keynote presenter in other years)
  • Featured Storyteller at 18th Tehran International Storytelling Festival, 2016
  • National Storytelling Conference – Fringe – Strange-But-true Civil War Stories, Kansas City, 2016
  • Regional Storyteller, St. Louis Storytelling Festival, 2015 and 2016
  • Twenty-Two Storytelling Tours of Taiwan from 2005 – 2018
  • Fourteen Storytelling Tours of China from 2007 – 2016
  • Tennessee Reading Conference, Featured Author and Presenter, 2014, 2015
  • Featured Storyteller – Capital Area Storytelling Festival, Washington DC Metro Area (with Donald Davis, Geraldine Buckley and Sheila Arnold)
  • Illinois Education Association, 2015
  • White Mountain Storytelling Festival, Vermont, 2014 and 2018
  • MMC Starlight International Storytelling Carnival Roadshow in Taichung, Taiwan, 2014 (with Bobby and Sherry Norfolk, Mike Anderson and Jeff Gere)
  • Kentucky Reading Conference, Featured Author, 2013
  • Storytelling/Author Tour of Taiwan, 2012
  • Storytelling Troupe – Performing in Israel and Palestine, 2012
  • International Symposium on Teaching English, Taipei, Taiwan
  • Delaware Reading Conference, Featured Author
  • National Federation of Genealogical Society Conference, Keynote Speaker
  • Cumberland Mountain Storytelling Festival, Featured Storyteller, Workshop Leader, 2010, 2014
  • Hawaii – Talk Story Conference, Featured Storyteller and Workshop Leader (with Gene Tagaban, Lynn Ford, Jeff Gere, and Alton Chung)
  • Michigan Reading Conference, Featured Author, and Workshop Leader
  • National Storytelling Conference – Keynote Speaker for YES Pre-Conference
  • Sterling Storytelling and Arts Festival in Illinois
  • National Regional Storytelling Concert Performer, California
  • Korean Association of Primary English Educators Conference, Seoul, Korea
  • Tibe Bookfair in Taiwan, Featured Performer in 2007, 2008, 2010
  • Iowa Reading Conference, Featured Author
  • Indiana Reading Conference, Featured Speaker
  • Workshops in South Korea for JY Books
  • Storytelling Programs in China for Giant Elephant Books
  • Workshops in Shanghai for CK Washington and Kaiser Kastle Education
  • Workshops/Programs in Hong Kong for Sesame Publications and Commercial Books
  • Workshops/Book Release Performances for Brilliant International Group, Taiwan
  • TMF - Taiwan Missionary Fellowship Conference
  • New England Storytelling Conference, Rhode Island
  • Wisconsin State Social Studies Conference
  • Great Lakes Social Studies Conferences in Chicago and Madison
  • IASCD Kindergarten Conference in Chicago - Featured Presenter (multiple years)
  • Three Apples Storytelling Festival, Massachusetts
  • Workshops for CETC/Caves in Taiwan
  • Workshops for JOY English Schools in Taiwan
  • 2008 International Storytelling Festival in Taiwan
  • Greenlake Christian Family Camp in Wisconsin, 2008
  • International Christian Storytelling Conference – multiple time - Speaker and Conference Planner
  • Illinois Elementary School Association
  • Midwest Conference for Early Childhood Educators
  • International Reading Association Annual Conferences in Atlanta, Boston, Chicago (3 X’s), New Orleans, Orlando (2X’s), San Antonio, and Toronto (2X’s) - Featured Storyteller in Orlando, 2011
  • Great Lakes Reading Conferences in Grand Rapids, Michigan and Chicago, Illinois
  • Illinois Reading Council and Programs for IRC Affiliates throughout Illinois
  • National Council for Teachers of English
  • Illinois Association for Curriculum Development
  • National Association for Early Childhood Educators
  • Improving America’s Schools Act Conferences
  • Illinois Urban Education Conference
  • Illinois Migrant Education Conference
  • Illinois Young Authors’ Conference
  • Illinois Teachers of Mathematics Conference
  • Title I Region VII Technical Assistance Conference
  • No Child Left Behind Conference, Chicago, IL
  • Dancer and Folk Music Singer, Paris France
  • Dancer and Folk Music Singer, San Sebastian Spain
  • Dancer and Folk Entertainer at National Agricultural Fair, Santarem, Portugal
  • Dancer and Folk Music Singer at International Music and Folkdance Eisteddfod, Llangollen, Wales
  • Numerous Pgms. for Offices of Education, Schools, Churches, Libraries & Community Groups

 

Teaching English as a Foreign Language Through Storytelling – Wide range of workshops and seminars for teachers of English. Through lecture and demonstration, Dr. Lockett helps teachers learn to improve students’ speaking, listening, reading comprehension, reading fluency and vocabulary (including international seminars in Bahamas, China, Iran, South Korea, Taiwan). 

All-School Assemblies – Programs vary for each school. Dr. Lockett’s preference is for 45-55 minute assemblies. Dr. Lockett can work with any age or ability grouping and provide stories that are age and content appropriate. All of his programs are clean and free from bias. 

Festival Storyteller – Call on Dr. Lockett for programs and workshops at festivals. Folk Tales, Children’s Stories, Audience Participation Tales, Mother Goose Stories, Ghost Stories, Civil War Stories, Christian Stories, St. Patrick’s Day Stories, Patriotic Stories, Personal Tales & more.

Artist-in-Residence – Dr. Lockett provides programs of various lengths in storytelling, reading, social studies and writing to help schools meet Common Core and state learning standards.

Middle School and High School Lectures – Dr. Lockett gives highly popular talks for students. He discusses how stories and propaganda have changed world history and societal behaviors. He talks about international travel in 15 countries where he has performed. He skillfully weaves stories, cultural awareness, modern politics with historical events and world geography. 

Young Authors’ Meetings – Dr. Lockett is a keynote speaker and storyteller at many young authors’ conferences. He weaves messages about reading and writing between his fun-filled stories. Parents receive ideas about how to help their children at home. Students get a renewed sense that reading and writing stories is fun. Book Dr. Lockett to kick off a Young Authors’ Campaign or to celebrate the students’ success at writing at a Young Authors’ Tea or Party.

Parent Programs – Dr. Lockett is a frequent presenter for parent programs and family literacy nights. Parents applaud his expertise. Lockett shares research and practical education tips between the laughter and fun. Providing clean, high quality programs to students and their parents is such a high priority for Dr. Lockett that he offers schools discounted rates for family programs in the evening for schools that book him for storytelling assemblies during the day.

Civil War Programs – Dr. Lockett visits schools dressed in his 1860’s Civil War uniform to share stories of the War Between the States. He does not stress the blood and gore, but rather the “Strange – But – True Stories of the Civil War” that capture the attention of listeners of all ages.

Dulcimer Workshops – Dr. Lockett offers workshops in how to make and play an American folk instrument called the Dulcimer. He plays the dulcimer in many of his storytelling performances.

Churches – Sunday Schools – Vacation Bible Schools – Mike shares a Christian messages interwoven with good stories, poems that he has written and music of many types. He is a frequent presenter for Ladies’ Organizations, Senior Saints, Children’s Sunday School classes, Youth Groups and more. Dr. Lockett has presented at Family Life Camps, Missionary Conferences, and Sunday School Conventions. Ask Mike about his storytelling in Israel.

Community Programs – Dr. Lockett gives programs for many civic organizations and community groups including scouts, senior groups, nursing homes, Alzheimer’s units, alternative education programs, fraternal organizations, and early childhood programs.

Senior Centers/Retirement Homes – Dr. Lockett recognizes the need to provide clean, high quality programs for today’s retirees and seniors. He makes it a point to give heavy discounts to make it affordable for senior organizations to book his services. If you are an activity director at a senior living facility, go to Dr. Lockett’s website at www.mikelockett.com and look at his calendar of events. If you want a program when he is in your area, call (309) 310-2299

Reading and Literacy Workshops – Dr. Lockett is a frequent presenter at education workshops and conferences across the USA He is a regular presenter at international conferences.

Teacher Workshops/Motivational Talks – Call or E-mail Dr. Lockett to plan a program that will meet your school or business needs. Mike works equally well with public schools, private schools, home/school groups and businesses.

Santa Claus – Experienced Santa with References – Public Programs and Private Programs – Limited to Illinois area.Santa in China