Darlene Green is an award-winning storyteller and elementary school teacher in Virginia Beach, VA, and has taught for over 12 years. Miss Green currently teaches kindergarten. She loves telling stories to her students, using an animated and expressive style to help students reach their highest potential in reading. In fact, many of them have exceeded grade level expectations. Darlene believes it’s important to make the stories and the characters in them “come to life.” If the children are engaged in the stories, they are more likely to remember the content, which helps them to increase their story comprehension skills. Great storytelling is an essential tool and skill in teaching 21st century learners and preparing them for the future. Darlene has been the featured storyteller in numerous festivals such as the popular Strawberry Street Festival and children’s programs such as the RISE summer enrichment program. Miss Green has performed in many special events such as The Santa Breakfast, The Halloween Showcase, and even Math Nights, which focus on fun interactive plays with stories that give the audience members opportunities to increase their math skills. On March 20, 2014, Darlene was proud to be the host and lead performer for the official Hampton Roads celebration for the global event, World Storytelling Day. Her shows, which were presented during a book fair, had maximum capacity crowds. Darlene has been the highlighted storyteller at church services and other family religious celebrations. In addition, Ms. Green has been the spotlighted entertainer in a variety of settings such as The Woman’s Club of Norfolk Christmas meeting. She always has a significant message for her audiences such as the importance of having self-confidence and being diligent.
Darlene won numerous storytelling and public speaking contests. She has been formally trained in storytelling. In addition to telling stories, Ms. Green has also won awards for her interpretative reading of historical speeches and portrayal of historical characters. Many of the speeches and characters that Darlene has “brought to life” align perfectly with the Standards of Learning. Through the presentation of Darlene’s Martin Luther King, Jr. interactive storytelling show, audience members learned important facts about Dr. King, while having fun.
Darlene’s programs are designed to actively engage students of all ages and improve their story comprehension and critical thinking skills by creating unique, enjoyable, and memorable experiences. Great storytelling is the vessel to 21st century learning! Darlene also specializes in dramatic presentations for adults and creates unique programs that highlight the event’s theme.
Darlene is also a highly successful playwright and director. She has written original scripts for plays which featured numerous actors. In addition to directing all of her original plays, Ms. Green has also performed in many of them.
In the fall of 2018, Ms. Green received the President’s Lifetime Achievement Award for her dedication to serving the community. She has volunteered for 4,000+ hours over 20 years to local libraries where she performs educational skits and hosts book readings for children.
Darlene lives in Virginia Beach and is the President and Lead Performer of D. Green Storytelling. She is a member of the National Education Association, Virginia Education Association, Virginia Beach Education Association, Virginia Storytelling Alliance and the National Storytelling Network,
Ms. Green, a cradle Catholic, is a member of the Basilica of St. Mary of the Immaculate Conception Church in Norfolk, Virginia, and was inspired to feature youth from her church in her first book, Imani and the 3 Rosaries, which was published in the fall of 2023. Her church ministries have included Lector and Eucharistic Minister. Her most recent ministry is serving as a Rosary Leader. She looks forward to writing more books.