University of New Hampshire University of New Hampshire Scholars' Repository Doctoral Dissertations Student Scholarship Fall 1996 Giving voice to the spirits: Storytelling in the service of Belizean literacy Gerald Joseph Kelly University of New Hampshire, Durham Follow this and additional works at: https://scholars.unh.edu/dissertation Recommended Citation Kelly, Gerald Joseph, "Giving voice to the spirits: Storytelling in the service of Belizean literacy" (1996). Doctoral Dissertations. 1912. https://scholars.unh.edu/dissertation/1912 This Dissertation is brought to you for free and open access by the Student Scholarship at University of New Hampshire Scholars' Repository. It has been accepted for inclusion in Doctoral Dissertations by an authorized administrator of University of New Hampshire Scholars' Repository. For more information, please contact [email protected]. INFORMATION TO USERS This manuscript has been reproduced from the microfilm master. 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Photographs included in the original manuscript have been reproduced xerographically in this copy. Higher quality 6” x 9” black and white photographic prints are available for any photographs or illustrations appearing in this copy for an additional charge. Contact UMI directly to order. UMI A Bell & Howell Information Company 300 North Zed) Road, Ann Aibor MI 48106-1346 USA 313/7614700 800/521-0600 Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission. Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission. GIVING VOICE TO THE SPIRITS: STORYTELLING IN THE SERVICE OF BELIZEAN LITERACY BY GERALD J. KELLY BA, Catholic University of America, 1967 DISSERTATION Submitted to the University of New Hampshire in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Reading and Writing Instruction September, 1996 Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission. UMI Number: 9703359 Copyright 1996 by Kelly, Gerald Joseph All rights reserved. UMI Microform 9703359 Copyright 1996, by UMI Company. All rights reserved. This microform edition is protected against unauthorized copying under Title 17, United States Code. UMI 300 North Zeeb Road Ann Arbor, MI 48103 Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission. All narratives used by permission of the authors, who retain any and all rights. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED ©1996 Gerald J. Kelly Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission. This dissertation has been examined and approved. Dissertation Director, Dit John Lofty- Associate Professor of English £ i k > r Dr. Richard Blot, Assistant Professor of Education Herbert H. Lehman College (CUNY) rj2^CsL- Fabian Cayetano, Semor District Education Officer Stann Creek District, Belize {2. / J Dr. Thomas R. Newkirk, Professor of English Dr. Pearl Rosenberg, Assistant Prbfessor of Education (Emeritus) —' Dr. Paula Salvio, Assistant Professor of Education Date ' Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission. DEDICATION In memory of Thomas Teul who cared deeply for his family, his people, his country, and his friends from afar. iv Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission. ACKNOWLEDGMENTS This study reflects the determination, compassion, curiosity, and caring of many people in Belize and at home who have actively supported Belizean literacy efforts and my research project. To the narrators, whose interests are perhaps best served by anonymity, I offer my sincere thanks for sharing their stories with me and potentially for the children of Toledo. Their hope and confidence in the region's youth have continually been inspiring to me as a teacher and a parent. I offer heartfelt thanks to all those Belizeans who welcomed me to their communities, their classrooms, and their homes. Educational leaders, including Julius Casimiro, Roy Cayetano, Hilda Guttierez, and especially Fabian Cayetano have encouraged and counseled me throughout the entire project. I am grateful to the many teachers who shared their visions with me, especially Gregorio Chee, Eduard Higinio, Angelina Nicholas, Moses Palma, Joan Palma, Orlando Vernon, and Jeffrey Zuniega. Louis Cucul offered his knowledge and advice to me at every step of this process. Members of the Toledo Mayan Cultural Council, particularly Leorardo Akal and Thomas Teul, have advanced my work and reviewed my transcriptions. William (Chet) Schmidt has been one of my best teachers, never hesitating to share critical information or challenge my hasty assumptions. I am thankful to Damien, Willy, Lucille, Silvano, Micala, Emerita, Solomon, Pablo, Virginia, Olympia, Mark, Winnie and Nolan, Alfredo and Yvonne for their many acts of kindness. I offer my deepest thanks to those people who have welcomed me into their homes, particularly v Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission. the Acks in Columbia, the Miss family in Laguna, the Shos in Santa Cruz, Mrs. Arzu in Barranco, and Miss Francis Gonzalez, Mr. John Paulino, Miss Olivia Sentino, and Emmanuel (Petey) Jacobs in Punta Gorda. I am truly fortunate to have close personal friends who lent their ears, eyes, and critical judgment to this effort. Nancy Brown, Ray Demers, Alice Meatey, Dick Meatey, Fred Metting, Richard Polonsky and Robin Read ail shared and encouraged my interest in the region and this project. At Exeter High School, Superintendent Bill Clancy, Doris Boddinghaus, Ronan Donohoe, Cassandra Donovan, John Ferguson, Maryellen Morse, Terry Moher, Doris Pailes, Carlo Nittoli, Dean Scott, and Julian Whipple have continually provided me with assistance and inspiration. My special thanks to Dean for his excellent map of the region. I am appreciative of the special friendships I have made as a member of the Belize-New Hampshire Teachers Program. Sheila Adams, Bert Cohen, Lisa Geelhood, and John Mullins created this experiment in citizen diplomacy and continually encouraged my efforts. I have traveled to Belize in the company of many fine educators, and I owe special thanks to Karolina Bodner, Subhana Bonner, Regina Byrnes, Enid Kelly, Gini Littlefield, and Brenda Whiteley for sharing their wisdom and companionship. My sincere thanks are extended to US Ambassador George Bruno, an energetic supporter of Belizean literacy efforts and an ongoing provider of valuable information, even regarding issues that we view differently! Both the textbook project and I owe thanks to Princeton's Stephanie Fryberger for graciously sharing her research on traditional Mayan stories. Professor Barbara Tedlock of SUNY Buffalo provided early assistance with my work on visionary narratives. vi Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission. As a member of the Reading and Writing Instruction Program, I became a member of a scholarly and caring community at the University of New Hampshire. Cindy Cohen has been my colleague and mentor in the pursuit of stories that affirm and renew. Val Aubry, Francisco Cavalcante, Carol Hawkins, Doug Kaufman, Lisa Lenz Bianchi, Andrea Luna, Carol Mulligan, Joann Portalupi, Kathe Simons, Kathy Staley, Donna Qualley, Cyrene Wells, and Carol Wilcox have all lightened my burdens along the way. Many others at UNH have offered valuable assistance to this project. Jane Hansen welcomed me to the Reading and Writing Program and provided a valuable perspective as a former Peace Corps Volunteer. Tom Schram initiated me into the discipline of ethnographic research. Pat Sullivan, John Carney, Grant Cioffi and Bill Wansart were all there when I needed their help and guidance. At the Writing Lab, Elizabeth Lane has helped me 'navigate' the reefs and shoals of UNH. I am truly fortunate to have worked with a dissertation committee that positioned me as a member of a research team. Tom Newkirk has encouraged my efforts for over ten years, always listening and occasionally probing my work with the pointed questioning of a Zen master. Paula Salvio spent countless hours with me, talking through every aspect of my research and providing continual enlightenment regarding the evanescent nature of performance. Throughout this cross-borders study, Pearl Rosenberg continually helped me to examine my research methodology, ethical choices, and personal responsibilities.