“I Want the Program to Keep Evolving”: Reflections from Story Works Alaska Co-Founder Regan Brooks

Story Works Alaska has touched countless lives, from the more than 6,500 students who have shared their stories to the volunteers and teachers who help amplify them. It also recently finished its first year as a part of the Alaska Humanities Forum. As we prepare to celebrate Story Works ahead of its annual Fire Island event on Feb. 12, the Forum’s Story Works Program Manager Eiden Pospisil sat down with co-founder Regan Brooks to learn about the program's origins, hear meaningful moments, and discuss her hopes for its future.

What was the inspiration behind Story Works?

The idea for Story Works came from my time as a teacher and my experiences in programs that brought community energy into schools. When I was teaching science in San Francisco, I was part of two amazing initiatives: the Exploratorium Teacher Institute at the science museum and the Triad Institute for Gender Equity, which brought med school volunteers into classrooms. Both programs gave me more energy and bandwidth as a teacher and gave my students opportunities they wouldn’t have had otherwise.

When I moved to Boston, I really missed that kind of engagement. I got involved with a program called the Community Science Workshop and started thinking about creating a program wherever I landed next that could foster that same kind of community energy into schools to support science teachers and students. [After I moved to Anchorage,] my book club read a collection of stories edited by students from the 826 program in San Francisco. It was such a lightbulb moment for me—seeing how impactful programs like 826, which foster creativity and storytelling, could be. Around the same time, I watched Dave Eggers’ TED Talk about 826, where he highlighted the need in schools and how the energy of a community could help meet that need. That idea really stuck with me.

When I first moved to Anchorage [in 2008], Arctic Entries had just started, and there was so much excitement around storytelling. I wasn’t a storytelling expert, but I thought I can coordinate community energy. So, I started reaching out—to English teachers, Arctic Entries storytellers, and principals—to explore what a program focused on personal storytelling workshops could look like.

Ultimately, Story Works grew out of my experiences as a teacher and my belief in the power of community engagement to enrich both students and educators.

Ultimately, Story Works grew out of my experiences as a teacher and my belief in the power of community engagement to enrich both students and educators.

What are some moments that stick with you from Story Works?

There are so many moments from Story Works that still bring me joy. One that stands out is when Vik Patel, who used to lead interactive activities to our lessons, said to a group of particularly quiet students, “One of you can save all of you” and then just waited for their response. His unique style brought so much warmth and humor to the workshops.

I also loved seeing students write thank-you notes to storytellers without being prompted. It showed how much they valued the experience. Another unexpected but impactful moment was when we started playing recordings of student stories in workshops. It hadn’t been part of the original plan, but it turned out to be incredibly effective. Hearing those stories created a powerful connection between students and storytellers.

Looking back, I’m proudest of the safe space we created for students. I am amazed by people's willingness to engage and how much people really stepped into the three agreements. Of the thousands of students I worked with, whether or not they felt comfortable talking about personal things, they were ready to be brave, kind and true even when that meant being honest about not being comfortable. Story Works fostered an environment where they felt comfortable sharing their stories, and I was consistently amazed by their kindness and willingness to engage. Seeing them support and respect each other filled me with so much joy.

Why did the Forum feel like a fit to house Story Works?

When it came time to find a long-term home for Story Works, the Alaska Humanities Forum felt like the perfect fit. Their values align so closely with what Story Works stands for, and many of their staff had already been involved with the program. That made it feel like a safe and supportive home.

As a small organization, we initially benefited from our flexibility, but as we grew, sustainability became critical. The Forum provided the structure we needed to thrive—allowing multiple people to take on roles that played to their strengths and helped avoid burnout.

During the pandemic, we partnered closely with the Forum, and that collaboration showed me just how much potential there was for synergy between the two organizations. It made me confident that this was the right step for Story Works.

When it came time to find a long-term home for Story Works, the Alaska Humanities Forum felt like the perfect fit. Their values align so closely with what Story Works stands for, and many of their staff had already been involved with the program. That made it feel like a safe and supportive home.

What are you up to now and how are you staying connected?

I stay connected to Story Works as a volunteer. I help out in classrooms when my schedule allows, and it’s always such a joy to see the program in action. One thing I wish more people knew is just how easy it is to volunteer for Story Works. It’s not a weekly or monthly commitment—you can say “yes” once a year, and it’s still incredibly valuable. Volunteering with Story Works is so accessible, and it’s a rewarding experience for both the volunteers and the students.

Outside of that, I’m applying to grad school to become a therapist and finishing up an equine specialist certification. What I am doing now, I feel like I wouldn’t be doing if I hadn’t listened to all of those stories. Listening to so many stories through Story Works has really changed me especially as a parent. It’s made me really want to lean into experiences, let go of some of my worries, and allow learning to happen through doing—even when things don’t go as planned.

What are your hopes for the future?

I hope Story Works continues to build on its experiences and stays responsive to the voices of those involved. Over the years, we’ve seen how small changes—like adding gratitude to the closing exercise—can have a big impact. I want the program to keep evolving and adapting to meet students’ needs while staying true to its core values.

Join us to celebrate and support the Story Works program at Fire Island Bakery (718 K St) on Wednesday, Feb. 12 from 6-8 PM! More info at https://www.akhf.org/events/st...