Visiting storyteller makes school a laughing matter
Artist in the Classroom program gives pupils a lesson from pros
By Jason Bono, STAFF WRITER
SAN LEANDRO -- Mary Joseph slapped her hands onto her cheeks and made her mouth an 'O' of surprise.

Little giggles tinkled through the classroom.

"Miz Maryjo" -- Joseph's storytelling persona -- spoke of talkative yams, a two-faced candy man, and the tailor who wore his beloved coat into the bathroom.

She is one of the local artists who will be visiting elementary classes in the San Leandro and San Lorenzo school districts this spring through the sponsorship of the Arts Council of San Leandro.

The Artist in the Classroom program is in its fourth year and has about 50 visual and performing artists from local cities on its roster.

Artists are scheduled to visit all elementary schools in the San Leandro school district as well as Corvallis and Dayton elementaries, which are in the city of San Leandro but part of the San Lorenzo school district.

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In the first week, about 19 classes at Garfield and Jefferson will have visitors, said Louie Despeaux, an arts council board member.

"It gives (children) an opportunity to say, 'Hey, that could be me some day,'" Garfield Principal Jan Huls said. "And the instruction they get is from someone with a full-time passion."

That's Miz Maryjo, all right.

Joseph hasn't looked back since retiring early from a health care job that she held onto for financial security while developing her storytelling career.

Now she performs at schools, libraries, teachers conferences and corporate events in the Bay Area and beyond.

"Spiritually, it is the most wonderful thing I've ever done," said Joseph, who tells stories that are packed with more than just enthusiasm.

The Mexican story "Mr. Sugar Comes to Town" tells of students whose bodies and minds begin to suffer once the candy man comes to town. But Grandma Lupe exposes Mr. Sugar as rotten underneath his handsome exterior, and she nourishes the children back to health with her famous tamales.

Nicolas Casanas' favorite was the African story "Too Much Talk," in which inanimate objects have the gift of gab.

"It was funny," said Nicolas, 8. "I talk a lot, too."

Teacher Cristin Miller laughed and sang along with her students, and she watched them interact with Miz Maryjo.

"We are responsible for teaching so much to our students that art does sometimes fall by the wayside," Miller said afterwards.

"To have a professional artist come and share her craft with students is a great opportunity."