CLASSES, WORKSHOPS, & PRESENTATIONS
Merna drew out of us the best we have in us with her powerful and yet gentle, creative and innovative pedagogical approach.
-SEAN PUNO, Multimedia Producer & Design Director, affiliate with the 2020 International Institute of International Education Julia Stasch Scholarship for Refugees Leadership Training Summer Program
Merna has over twenty-five years of experience as a teaching artist in diverse settings, as a university lecturer and as a popular presenter for conferences and keynotes. She offers lively and participatory classes, workshops and storytelling performances. For eight years, as a highly respected lecturer at the University of Washington, Tacoma , Merna taught Creative Writing, Poetry, Humanities and an innovative upper division course titled Art in Time of War, which explored the consequences of war through art, literature and poetry with a focus on young people living through violent conflict and forced migration. All of Merna’s classes and workshops are available as partial or day long workshops, weekend classes or workshops, or in two, four or six week blocks.
Classes
Each of these on-going or one time classes or workshops include the extensive resources Merna has compiled, hands-on examples of materials and in depth discussion about teaching toward global compassion for all age groups from primary to high school and college as requested by participants. Designed from Merna’s UW Art in Time of War class, she continues to gather unique materials from the art and writing created by civilians impacted by the trauma of violent conflicts from children during the Spanish Civil War and Picasso’s famed Guernica painting, to human rights protest graffiti on separating walls and powerful poetry and imagery created by refugees and immigrants of all ages. These offerings are ideal for: Teachers, Parents, Activists, Teaching Artists, Counselors, and School Librarians.
MERNA OFFERS THESE TWO WORKSHOPS or CLASSES BASED ON HER COMMITMENT TO SOCIAL JUSTICE EDUCATION & HER EXTENSIVE KNOWLEDGE OF PEACE EDUCTAION & CHILDREN’S & YOUNG ADULT LITERATURE
Children's and Young Adult Literature for Understanding Immigration and Forced Migration and Creating a More Sustainable and Humane World
Picture Books for Global Understandings & Compassion
Poetry Workshops
Reading and Writing Socially Engaged Poetry for Adults and/or Teens
Bringing Words to Sorrow: Poetry and Creative Writing for Expression of Loss, Trauma & Grief-Restoring Meaning
Rescuing Words: Poetry & Witness in Times of Social Unrest and Political Upheaval
Poems of Location and Dislocation: Leaving and Longing for Home
Storytelling Classes & Performance
“Merna walks with grace through an invisible door, and takes us with her to a story we have never known; and as we listen more closely, our eyes open up, then our ears and voice open up, into the world more bravely”.
—Kip Greenthal, Lopez Island Family Resource Center Annual Conference Chair
Merna storytelling classes and workshops are intimate and energetic. She uses upbeat group and individual techniques to explore characters and to deepen the art and craft of traditional storytelling. Participants enjoy improvisational exercises that allow them to “try on” different characters and emotions Conversation about the primacy of traditional storytelling for transmitting wisdom and values, once a part of every culture along with community building are part of Merna’s participatory storytelling workshops.
Merna presents storytelling performances for all ages, from 7 to 107! She prefers smaller settings without a microphone to further the time-honored oral tradition. She offers Jewish inspired storytelling programs; Gypsy and Eastern European Folktales; Greek Mythology, and themed programs as requested. Her treasure trove of stories include tales that promote peace, justice and sustainability. She is also a consummate teller of non-traditional love stories with a twist, and spine-tingling Halloween stories from many cultures, that refrain from graphic violence but serve the ancient spirit of the dark time of year.
“Students listened with rapt attention as she performed her tales with great heart and animation… It was clear that through their work with Merna, they had discovered something powerful within themselves”.
-NICHOLE COATES, FORMER PROGRAM MANAGER, SEATTLE ARTS & LECTURES’ WRITERS IN THE SCHOOLS PROGRAM
"This class has shaped me into a more sensitive, open person. Professor Hecht is the best teacher I’ve had in a very long time. I’ve already graduated with my A. A. I have traveled around and met many teachers. Yet, Merna is that small percent that truly inspires you."
-UW, Tacoma student, Art in Time of War Class