This Week's Story
Our Staff
Barbara Steiner: executive director, story writer and researcher, English dramatic reader
I have watched the eyes of students staring intensely into mine,
Listening in vibrant silence as I told them a story.
I too have been captivated,
And felt the unique quiet unfolding in the classroom,
As a story found our hearts.
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Barb Wuertz: curriculum director and writer
A good story changes lives!
I cannot remember when I did not read. I loved library days at school and exciting new stories.
Although I was active in sports and leaned toward a coaching career, my focus shifted when I started my family. Reading stories with my children was often the highpoint of the day.
When my four-year old son started picking out oft-repeated words in favorite stories, I saw a new world open for him. I wanted to bring this excitement to students. I earned my MA and teaching credential. I began a 20-year teaching career in Language Arts at a middle school.
Creating curricula for This Week’s Story reminds me of my students. I consider their needs, learning styles, and life experiences.
My goal in writing curriculum is to help readers appreciate each story on various levels. Their understanding will lead to inspiration; inspiration to action; action to change; and change leads to growth.
Nathan Thomas: recorder and dramatic reader
Nathan is an integral part of This Week’s Story. He begins the electronic travels of the TWS stories. Since December 2019 he has been the adept primary recorder of the stories for radio stations and This Week’s Story website.
Dramatic readers of stories in English and Spanish often step into a recording booth. He records the readers and makes initial adjustments. The stories pass to a professional electronic editor, Adrian Novak in Cathedral City. Lastly, the stories are received in Lynden, WA. by Blair Scott of Int’l Graphics Design for a host of electronic steps.
Impromptu quotes from Nathan: “I love storytelling whether it be through books, movies, or other media. This Week’s Story is always intriguing.”
“I weekly enjoy challenges with recording TWS stories.
“Currently I am making short films to develop my film-making skills. I have a YouTube channel.
“Definitely, I’ve been blessed by the Lord.”
Todd Warren: dramatic reader
Reading and storytelling has been an intrinsic part of my life since I learned to read at age five. I love the joy of experiencing a story for the first time, or picking up a book which is an old friend, and discovering new treasures and secrets in the stories which I have read many, many times.
Of all the stories which I have read, the best stories are in the Bible because that book was written by God’s inspiration and direction.
Story telling can be “science” with incredible passion, and art, which takes on life. Through experiencing a story, people can be drawn into a wide range of human feeling and understanding.
The power of a story can dramatically alter lives in wonderful and positive ways. I hope that you enjoy the stories which are shared with you through This Weeks Story.
I consider it my privilege to be a dramatic reader for the stories published by This Week‘s Story.
Tomas Ricardo Tellez: illustrator
“... a mind needs books as a sword needs a whetstone, if it is to keep its edge.”
– George R. R. Martin, A Game of Thrones
I’m a music and book-loving artistic computer movie geek, if I had to sum it all up in a quick sentence. I love life and all that it compasses. Reading allows me to live many lives through my favorite characters. A window to other worlds and realities. Books allow me to learn through others’ experiences. Being a part of This Week’s Story allows me to help others learn. I draw from my heart. I love being a part of something my community works hard to pull together to help the education and minds of others grow.
Katherine Warren: weekly reader and commenter
Katherine is a lover of Jesus Christ and a college student studying music at Point Loma Nazarene University in San Diego. She has a passion for music and remembers singing as a small child.
She is studying to become a high school band teacher. In her free time, she works as a lifeguard, sews, and reads. She enjoys learning about history, and has participated in This Week’s Story classes since she was in middle school. She works posting TWS stories and comments to Facebook every week.
She shares, “When I study history, initially it feels distant. When I begin to learn stories about buildings and works of art, the lives of the people connected with them resonate with me. They become more than facts. History demystifies their lives. I think: They aren’t so different from me. The people in This Week’s Story are the people of all time.”
Scott Thomas: Spanish translator & dramatic reader
Currently Scott is an excellent teacher at a California prison, he and his wife have written Spanish and English stories for TWS. They have written text books for McGraw-Hill. His wife Gaby is a valuable resource for translation.
They have two teenagers, Nathan and Daniella, who contribute an astonishing variety of skills to This Week’s Story.
Scott and Gaby envision a generation rising up not only with technical skills of speaking, reading, and writing foreign languages, but also becoming men and women of character. The Bible is a foundation for character. They wish to help young people to be inspired to greater levels of faith by the stories they read, hear, or watch in whatever language they occur.
Elena Gamez: Spanish translator & dramatic reader
The “American Dream” began for me when my family packed their essentials into a small box and moved from Sonora, Mexico to the United States. Our box was small, but full of dreams and hope.
The new culture was difficult. I hated my new life. Eventually time made it easier. I decided I wanted to become an ESL instructor.
After high school, I enrolled at Palo Verde College. I fell in love, married, and started a family. I returned to college, worked full-time, took care of my family, and graduated with two Associate degrees.
Eventually, I was given the opportunity of my life. I completed a Master’s degree and within a year I began teaching.
Today, I step into a classroom knowing that I can pursue a profession I love, and help others live their “American Dream.”
Elizabeth Steiner: story adviser
Life is a banquet; and oh, how I’ve been fed. I've walked on hot coals and broken a board with one bare hand. I've dove with parachute from plane, and broken an arrow in half, whilst pointed end rested in the hollow of my neck.
Experiences and books are mirrors for my strengths and limitations. Books have, and continue to teach me who I am and who I want to be. I've also devoted many hours for seven years to the study of acting, and three to creative writing, with a focus on poetry. I've taken no classes in photography; yet I see and seek to capture stories with a lens. I have a longing to free stories with a pen.
I strive to see God in every “grain of sand.” And, though I crawl then stumble, I can stand, on the shoulders of those whose stories help me to grow into the person my Father sees.
Elizabeth Duncan: administrative assistant
My first reading of a story in This Week’s Story left me wondering! I had been a teacher for about thirty years in a community Bible study. I relished connecting a wonderful range of subjects available to Bible students. I heard the words of a song ringing in my mind: “God is not afraid of our honesty.”
We get out our shovels,
begin digging.
And we are hooked!
I have been a follower of Yeshua Ha Mashiach for 43 years. His leadership is never boring. As my students have ranged from two-year olds to adults, we have dipped into archaeology, quantum physics, astronomy, history, nature, and classic Christian writers.
Singing is my first language and as soon as reading became possible, my fingers itched to hold books. Their smell even in dumpster diving at the library was satisfying.
I believe learning should be a lifelong pursuit.
Silvia Lainez: bookkeeper
Silvia Lainez joined the staff this past October 2020 as bookkeeper. She came as COVID-19 was stunning people with mandated changes. Our previous excellent temporary bookkeeper had recommended Silvia.
I was elated! I had taught at a school where Silvia worked. Often I had enjoyed walking past her work area and seeing students comfortably talking with her. She could help them with Spanish-English language challenges. They were motivated by her relaxed humor, understanding, and practical suggestions. Her work ethic and fairness were inspiring.
Now, in addition to her job at Palo Verde Community College Silvia is serving as TWS bookkeeper. She also is the secretary of Blythe Little League and helps anywhere she can with the league’s many activities.
Silvia enjoys travel, desert outings, fishing, and sports; and she treasures her family!
Carlos Gamez: recorder and illustrator
Today, friends might describe me as a game developer that likes to box in his free time. Last year I was a science nerd with a passion for quantum physics. Next month I may be an aspiring musician with an interest in baking. I suspect I’m simply a person who loves to learn.
The complexity throughout all facets of the world drives me. My passion is not only expanding my understanding, but also sharing its beauty with those willing to learn.
I was motivated to join the staff of This Week’s Story, as a way to learn more about topics, about which I might be ignorant. I have opportunities to spread knowledge, whether I design invitations, record stories, or brainstorm website layouts.