SAN ANTONIO — The Trinity Principals' Center will focus on the art of storytelling during its 2008 Back-to-School Celebration on Tuesday, Aug. 12 in the Dicke Art Building and Ruth Taylor Recital Hall located in the Ruth Taylor Fine Arts Center on the Trinity campus.

A tour of posters depicting stories about teaching will take place from 8:30 to 9:45 a.m. in the Art Gallery in the Dicke Art Building. Oral presentations and a formal program, including song and mariachi music, will begin at 10 a.m. in the Ruth Taylor Recital Hall.

Ann Berg, director of the Trinity Principals' Center, has invited superintendents, principals, teachers, students, corporations that support education, and community agency representatives to view posters about storytelling and hear presentations by professional storytellers and award-winning student storytellers who will talk about their school experiences and share tales of best practices.

"It is important to tell stories because stories come from your heart," said Dr. Berg. "You learn things when you tell people about your life and share your stories."

Also on hand will be the 20 distinguished educators who were nominated by their respective public schools for the 2008 Trinity Prize for Excellence in Education. They will be joined by their principals and superintendents. "We will honor the people who allow them to be good teachers," Dr. Berg said.

The Principals' Center theme for the 2008-2009 academic year is "Telling the Stories of Our Schools."

The event is free but registration is encouraged. To register, contact Trinity's education department at (210) 999-7178 or e-mail ann.berg@trinity.edu.

The Trinity Principals' Center is funded by Trinity University, the Meadows Foundation of Dallas, and corporate sponsors.

Trinity University, founded in 1869, is one of the nation's top private undergraduate institutions. Noted for its superior academic quality, outstanding faculty, and exceptional academic and residential resources, Trinity is committed to the intellectual, civic, and professional preparation of its students.