KEVIN D. CORDI
cordi.3@osu.edu

Office Address
229 Ramseyer Hall
The Ohio State University

Home Address
643 Nashoba Ave.
Columbus, Ohio 43233
614-292-2332 614-272-6153


Education

The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio                 2005-current
Ph.D Candidate in Drama, Literacy, Language Arts, and Reading Program 3.91 GPA

The University of Akron, Akron, Ohio                   1991-1995
MA in Secondary Education/Storytelling Literacy
Concentration Focus: Using Storytelling to Educate Students in Literacy, Literature and
Communication

Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois                 Summer 1999
Theater and Storytelling
Focus: Selected Scholarship Recipient from Applicants as one of the Nation’s distinguished
Educators in Speech and Drama

East Tennessee State University, Johnson City, Tennessee             Summer 1993
Recognized Graduate Study which fosters in-depth research, practice, and analysis of
Storytelling and Teaching.
Concentration in Reading, Elementary and Secondary Education, Diversity in Teaching

Kent State University, Kent, Ohio                     1985-1990
Bachelor of Science in Secondary Education
(Grades 7-12) Communications: English, Speech, Reading, Theater,
and Journalism. Professional Education
Dean’s List

University of Sheffield, England                     Fall of 1988
Professional Development Project
Postgraduate Courses for Undergraduate Credit in English, Drama,
Humanities and Teaching Methods
Distinguished Scholarship for Cross Cultural Teaching

Awards

Ann Izard Storyteller’s Choice Award for book Raising Voices           2005
Storytelling World Award                       2004
Fulbright Study in Japan                       October 2001
Chosen as Honored Educator to Study Education Pedagogy in
Japan and Conduct Follow Up Work in Drama, Reading, and English Classes
National Service Award from the National Storytelling Network             2004
Golden Bell Award—Marked my educational program as “One of the Top         2002
Fifty Exemplary Programs in the State of California” by the California
Board of Education
Northwestern University Distinguished English and Speech Teacher           1999
Scholarship
Dorothy McAllister and George L. Lewis Memorial Scholarship 2006-2007
Flescher Fellowship Scholarship (twice) 2006-2008
Who’s Who Among American Teachers 196-1998

Research Interest
My research focuses on studying the use of drama as it relates to language and literacy, including but not limited to the school environment. I am especially interested in how narrative connects to literacy in school settings that employ drama methodologies in academic disciplines. I use a social cultural lens to examine dialogue, “storying” and literature. I am keenly working toward a dissertation study that applies a dialogic (Bakhtin) perspective of understanding literacy. Working with Dr. Brian Edmiston I am not only engaged in the theoretical perspectives but also in the practice with our current work in schools. I am conducting a dissertation study with Dr. Edmiston studying imaginary space, power, narrative, and dramatic inquiry in England beginning in March 2007.

Books

Cordi, K, Sima, J, (2003), Raising Voices: Youth Storytelling Groups and Troupes, Libraries Unlimited. Westport, CT: Greenwood Publishing Group.

Publications

Cordi, Kevin (in process) “Teaching from Inquiry,” Content Area Storytelling, Libraries Unlimited, by Ellis “Fox” Brian, Colorado

Cordi, K (2008) Guest Editor for Storytelling Magazine, Theme, Mentorship, Storytelling Magazine, 25 (2).

Cordi, K (1/2008) editor for personal narratives of Inmate, Corcoran Prison, California

Cordi, Kevin (20007), The Story Box Project, Ohio Media Spectrum, Ohio Educational Library Media Association, Columbus, Ohio.

Cordi, Kevin, Reviewer, Language Arts Magazine, March/April 2008.

Cordi, K (2007) Lost in Translation. Libraries Unlimited, edited by Margaret Read MacDonald, Colorado.

Cordi, K (2006) (editor) Storytelling, Self, and Society Journal, New Jersey, Lawrence Erlbaum Associates, Inc.

Cordi, K (2006) Using Writers of the Future, Galaxy Press, commissioned work for promotion of new books.

Cordi, K (2006). American Choices, American Voices. In Sherry Norfolk’s Storytelling and Education, Libraries Unlimited, Boulder, Colorado.

Cordi, K (2006). Grandparents Living Theater, Storytelling Magazine, 24 (2).

Cordi, K (2005) Guest Editor for Storytelling Magazine, Theme: The Pulse of Storytelling, Storytelling Magazine, 19 (3).

Cordi, K, (2003) How to Recount the Story of A Living Person ArtsEdge (on-line), The Kennedy Center. (Commissioned work)

Cordi, K, (2003) The Gift of Stories, ArtsEdge (on-line), The Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts.

Cordi, K (2003) “Coaching Kids in Story,” ArtsEdge (on-line), The Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts.

Cordi, K (2003). Listening: The Other Half of Storytelling. (156-162) .In Allison Cox’s The Healing Heart Project, New Society Publishers, Ontario, Canada.

Cordi, K (2002) The Country Hears Young Voices. (42-44) Storytelling Magazine, (14)

Cordi, K (2001). Tales from the Couch. (72-79.) In Larry and Deborah’s Pot Likker: Stories for Teachers and Learners. New York.

Cordi, K (2000). Anansi and His Tiny Waist: story and teaching tips. In Jeanne Donato’s, and Susan Brand’s Storytelling in Emergent Literacy: Fostering Multiple Intelligences, (p. 78-81). New York, Delmar Thomson Learning.

Cordi, K (2000) Youth Are Sharing Their Stories, Tale Trader, Kentucky, (18) 9.

Cordi, K (1998) Storytelling: The Next Generation, The Voice, National Writing Project, 3 (2).7-10.

Cordi, K, Bordlee III, and Diana Mitchel, (1997) Teaching Ideas: Assessing Out Loud, English Journal, 86 (1), 154-157.

Cordi, K (1997). Storytelling in the Schools. Storytelling Magazine (4) 15-17.

Cordi, K (1997) Voices of Illusion, Works in Progress, 3(1), 10-11.

Cordi, K (1997) Voices of Illusion: K Cordi’s Teenage Storytelling Troupes, Laughmakers, 15 (3).

Cordi, K (1994) Telling Stories in High School, Storytelling World, Johnson City, Tennessee, 14 (2) 36-238.

Presentations
Cordi, Kevin (November 2007) selected, Edmiston, Brian, Taylor, Time, Dramatic Spaces for Literacy Learning, New York City, New York

Cordi, Kevin, Fairman, Jonathan (November 2007) Story Power: Reclaiming Story in your Classroom, NCTE, New York City, New York

Cordi, Kevin (2007) Imagining: Narrative Connections with Children’s Literature, Children’s Literature Conference, The Ohio State University, Marrion, Ohio.

Cordi, Kevin, Edmiston, Brian, Abbott, Luke, Taylor, Tim, AERA (Selected) (2006) Developing a Teacher Network for Sustaining the Study and Practice of Innovative Pedagogy, Nashville, Tennessee.

Cordi, K (November 2006) Tellabration! 2006, Southern Ohio Storytelling Guild, Columbus, OH.

Cordi, K. (November, 2006) Literacy, Reading Aloud, Telling Process, guest speaker for Marie Boozer’s Reading Foundations Class, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH.

Cordi, K (October 2006) Powering Up the Personal: Literacy and Telling, West Virginia Book Festival, West Virginia.

Cordi, K, (May 2006) Emcee Ohio Storytelling Concert, OOPS Conference, Mount Vernon, Ohio

Cordi, K (April 2006) Beyond the Book Talk, San Francisco Teen Librarians, San Francisco, California.

Cordi, K (April 2006) Raising Voices with Literacy and Story, Floyd New Mexico School System, Floyd, New Mexico.

Cordi, K and Edmiston, B. (Assisted as GA) (February 2006). Ethical Way with Words: Exploring the Ethical Dimensions of Language and Literacy Learning through Imaginative Inquiry. NCTEAR Roundtable invited session. Chicago, IL.

Cordi, K and Edmiston, B (January, 2005). Imaginative Inquiry: Using Drama to Focus on Social Imagination. NCTE National Conference Speaker., Invited session, Pittsburg, PA.

Cordi, K (October, 2005). Honoring our Profession: Our Stories. Multicultural Center, Ohio State University, Columbus, OH.

Cordi, K (March, 2005). Social Imagination in Our Stories. Four Corners Storytelling Conference Featured Presenter. Farmington, NM.

Cordi, K (December, 2005). Story: Rehearsal for Life. National Youth Storyteller’s Showcase. Featured Presenter. Pigeon Forge, TN.

Cordi, K (August, 2005) Imagination and Story. Once Upon A Time Story Conference. Ashland, OH.

Cordi, K (September, 2005) Imagination in Your Teaching. Upper Arlington Education Conference. Arlington, OH.

Cordi, K (October, 2005) Storytelling and Writing. Columbus Public School/OSU Connection Project, Presentation for David Bloome, Columbus, OH.

Cordi, K. (February, 2005) Out of the Dust: Social Imagination Inquiry, speaker for Mertz, The Ohio State University, and Columbus, OH.

Cordi, K. (April, 2005) Fairy Tales, Stories, and Children’s Literature, guest speaker for Janet Hickman’s Advanced Children Literature Class, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH.

Cordi, K (August, 2001-2004) Telling America’s Story: Celebrate Freedom, annual national event created by myself to honor untold stories of American heroes and heroines, Pigeon Forge, Tennessee.

Cordi, K (April, 1998) American Voices: A Narrative Presentation, National Council of Teachers of Social Studies Annual Conference, San Diego, California.

Cordi, K (February, 1998) Literature Alive, California Association of Teachers of English, Monterey, California.

Cordi, K (August, 1999) Narrative and Writing, Yosemite National Park Writing Conference, invited speaker. Yosemite, California.

Cordi, K (April, 1997) Early Voices: Early Literacy and Narrative, Ninth Annual Child Care Conference, Visalia, California.

Cordi, K (January, 1996) Rap and Read: Using Oral Language with Literacy, California Reading Association, San Jose, California.

Cordi, K (September, 2002) Honoring Teachers with Oral Narratives. National Council of Elementary and Secondary School Principals National Conference, Key Note Speaker, Palm Springs, California.

Cordi, K (July, 2004). Carrying the Torch; Providing a Legacy. National Storytelling Network. Key Note Speaker. Bellingham, Washington.

Cordi, K (October, 2001). Telling Our Stories: The Students. California Teachers of English invited featured speaker annual conference, Fresno, California.

Grants

Cordi, K, Community Campfire: Providing A Spark for Our Culture (2001). Campaign for Schools, Hanford, CA.

Cordi, K, Honoring Extraordinary Teachers and Their Work, (2000) J.CASH PENNEY Award/Grant, Dallas, Texas.

Cordi, K, And Strength Through Story: Nonviolent Means Told by Teens, (1999) Teaching Tolerance, Montgomery, AL.

Cordi, K, Urban Legends: A Tales for Our Times (1998) Jordan Fundamentals for Education, Los Angeles, California

Professional Positions

Administrative Director, Dorthy Heathcote Seminar, The Ohio State University, Summer 2006

GA with Teaching Assignment, The Ohio State University, College of Education, September 2005 to present.

Supervisor of Middle School MED Program, The Ohio State University, College of Education, September 2004 to present.

Professional Storyteller and Story Teacher, consultant, 25 states, England, and Japan, 1993 to present.

Writing Consultant, California State University, Department of Literacy, August 1995 to 2003. Still trained as consultant. Fresno, CA.

National Youth Story Consultant, National Storytelling Network, Jonesborough, TN, 1994 to present.

Assistant Professor, California State University, College of Early Literacy, 1996-2003.

Teacher, English, Storytelling, and Drama, Hanford High School, Kings County District, Hanford, California, 1996-2003.

Teacher, English and Drama, East Bakersfield High School, Bakersfield High School District, Bakersfield, CA, 1993-1995.

Teacher, English and Speech, Brunswick High School, Brunswick District, Brunswick, OH, 1990-1992.

Membership in Professional Organizations

National Council Teachers of English
National Education Association
International Reading Association
National Storytelling Network
Southern Storytellers of Central Ohio
Youth, Educators, and Storytellers (YES) Alliance (founder)
American Educational Research Association
Educational Researcher SIG

Service-National

Founder and Chair of Y.E.S. (Youth, Educators and Storytellers) National Storytelling Network, 1995-2005.
Guest Editor, Storytelling Magazine, National Storytelling Network, 2005.
Director, Voices Across America Youth Storytelling Project, 1998-present
Editor and Consultant, ArtsEdge, The Kennedy Center, Washington, DC, 2003.
Reviewer, National Council Teachers of English Research Conference, The Ohio State University, 2005.
Executive Director, National Youth Storytelling Hall of Fame/National Youth Storytelling Showcase, Hanford, CA, and Pigeon Forge, TN, 2002-2004.
Director, Telling America’s Story, part of National event Celebrate Freedom, Pigeon Forge, TN, 2001-2004.

Service-Local

Reviewer On-line review of literacy articles for Ohio Teachers for the Ohio Reading Association, 2005.
Guest Speaker for Professor’s Courses. 2004-2005

Guest Volunteer teacher in Columbus Public Schools, 2004-2005.
Reviewer for David Bloome, articles on literacy, 2005.
Surrogate Board Member of international journal, Storytelling World, 1993

Courses Taught

Ohio State University
Fall, Winter, and Spring 2007-2008 Reading Foundations
Fall, Winter, Spring and Summer 2006 Using Drama in Teaching and Learning
Spring 2006 Storytelling in Schools and Community
Summer 2006 Teaching with Dr. David Bloome Narrative Theories and Literacy Practices in Education
Spring 2007 Writing and Telling, with Creative Activities Program

California State University, Fresno

Storytelling for Early Literacy


Media:

Cordi, K, Keys to Imagination, DVD, StoryWatchers Club, 2006
Cordi, K Christmas, DVD, StoryWatchers Club, 2006
*awarded the Film Advisory Board “Award of Excellence”
!Parenting Media Award and positively reviewed by Booklist “Video Pick” from School Library Journal

Completed eleven CDs, published under Voices Across America Storytelling Project
Peace Talk: The Other Side of the Story 2004
Wisdom Keepers 2003
Listen to the Animals, Storytelling World Award Winning CD 2001
K Cordi, LIVE, CD 2000
Public TV program “Tapestry”
Public TV Children’s Story Program,

Cordi, K (produced Student CDs)
Word Dancing and Other Tales of the Imagination 2006 CD
Fantasy Alive, 2003 CD
Community Campfire, 2002 CD
Urban Legends, 1999 CD
Tales to Tickle Your Funny Bone, 1998, CD
Strength through Story: Non-Violent Means Told by Teens, 1994, CD