I’ve never had any trouble getting students to be quiet, take notes, and look at me while I talk. Most of my literature classes are devoted group discussions in which I am more moderator than participant. Yet when I do speak, students take their cues and appear to be all ears.
Being quiet and dutiful, however, is not the same as listening. Listening requires intention and offers a kind of unspoken invitation to the speaker. Listening is the result of an exchange between speaker and audience t...
Hey there, my name is Diamante Ortiz and I am a senior at The Young Women’s Leadership School of Brooklyn and I am a school storyteller thanks to the Moth Educational Program and I had the honor of presenting my story at the New York Public Library for the GrandSlam on June 5th, 2015.
The week preparing for the GrandSlam week was utterly mind blowing. That Tuesday, I arrived to The Moth office in Soho and I met 9 other AMAZING, talented and all around terrific storytellers from all around t...
When I stepped into my first Moth meeting, a sheer wave of nerves took over my body. I saw the students in the classroom and they were from all different backgrounds, people that I rarely had a conversation with. I wondered, “How can I trust these semi-strangers with a personal story?”
I still look back on what I was thinking that day and I laugh at myself. The Moth has been the most creative and supportive group that I’ve been a part of in high school. The strangers that I met that day bec...
This school year, I got the chance to experience one of the most exciting things in my life. And that one exciting thing was joining The Moth.
Around April, I started noticing fliers about joining the Moth team around my school. My sister came up to me and told me that she was joining the Moth, and I should join too. I was quite unsure, but before I could give my answer she told me she had already put my name down.
Our first Moth meeting was held in April on a Thursday. I got a good un...
Never did I think in a million years that I would be standing on stage by myself and telling a story in front of 400 people. But I did it, and I am so grateful for the wonderful and understanding staff of the Moth who helped me to achieve this milestone. All people that I have encountered over this period are the most amazing people you will ever need.
If you’re thinking of doing The Moth, my biggest piece of advice to you is don’t be shy with the Moth team (with teammates and mentors alike)....
