Tsagoi's (AKA T. K. Jennings) insatiable curiosity has led him into a life filled with adventure and an abundance of unique experiences. His odyssey has exposed him to many cultures, lifestyles, philosophies, and skills. Tsagoi has always been open to learning and was drawn early in life to Native American philosophy. He’s passionate about nature and never is more at home than when he’s in the jungle stalking jaguar, listening to the sounds of a waterfall or communing with snakes and owls. Eighteen years of training and experience in the mental health field led him to discover the power of metaphor as a therapeutic and teaching tool. He has worked with a wide variety of people from addicted teens to vets who suffered from PTSD. Tsagoi's quest to acquire more skills took him beyond traditional therapy. He obtained certification as a Master Neurolinguistic Practitioner/Trainer (MNLP/Trainer) and acquired a Doctorate in Clinical Hypnotherapy. He also explored the spiritual practices of many cultures. This combined with his wide range of life experience provides Tsagoi with a formidable array of skills for mentoring, training and storytelling. President and Founder of Tipi Tellers Two term past President of: Tarrant Area Guild of /Storytellers Member of Dallas Storytelling Guild and National Storytelling Network Board of Directors Human Potential Institute Board of Directors Celebration of Life Church!. For more about Tsagoi check out his web site; www.storiesforachange.com Tsagoi@tipitellers.org 817-320-5048
Jaye Ramsey McLaughlin, “Lady Jaye,” was one of four founding Tipi Teller members who began storytelling in 1997. After serving as a children's librarian (1983-1990) and Youth Manager (1990-2005) at the Fort Worth Public Library. Now retired and a full-time storyteller, Jaye uses her experience to plan and implement storytelling programs with Tipi Tellers. Her travels have added many traditional tales to share along with personal experiences. Jaye studies and collects Native American taleswhich respect all living things and believes stories should reach the heart. Oral tradition, she believes, plays an important role in entertainment, education, and understanding. Stories that reach the soul help to make our complex world more harmonious, balanced and livable for each listener. .Jaye has served as Vice-President, President and Secretary/Treasurer of the Tarrant Area Guild of Storytellers. She co-ordinates an IMLS Leadership (2 year) Grant awarded to the Fort Worth Public Library in 2004. Museums Utilizing Storytelling for Education (MUSE) is a collaborative grant involving schools, Fort Worth Public Library, Storytelling and Museums in Fort Worth.
Perhaps that strangest of all Texans, an authentic Dallas native, Shelby is widely traveled in Europe, North Africa, Mexico, Canada and Brazil, as well as the United States. As a children’s teacher for seventeen years in the Dallas Independent School District, Shelby taught to non-English speaking students, and from all socio-economic backgrounds. In this environment she honed her skills as an innovative and trusted educator, with an emphasis on reaching at-risk and learning-disabled students. The trust placed in her by gifted and talented students helped inspire them to assist their fellow students who had learning difficulties. Shelby left teaching in 1998 to pursue her true calling – as storyteller – where she has remained ever since. She developed the program Science Stories Naturally for the Dallas Museum of Natural History, has told stories for Mayfest in Fort Worth, the Dallas International Festival, Telebration, and Main Street Days in Grapevine, Texas. Shelby also shares her stories in schools, bookstores, and retirement homes. Her meeting with Tsagoi, which occurred at a storytelling conference in Oklahoma in 1999, proved momentous and cemented her destiny as professional storyteller and, subsequently, a Tipi Teller. Shelby’s shares her belief that stories are gifts of laughter, inspiration, and knowledge with children, parents and teachers at numerous workshops, seminars, and other events. http://www.shelbysstories.com/