About me

Education, Certifications, Awards

• MFA Writing for Children and Young Adults. Simmons University. GPA 4.0

• Coursework Baypath Creative Nonfiction, Masters Level

• Post- Baccalaureate and Licensure in Elementary Education. Macalester College. GPA 4.0

• BA Grinnell College. Major: Anthropology. GPA 3.89

• Clayful Health Certified Mental Wellness Coach for Adolescent and Teens. Level 3.

• Certified Patient Advocate in Rare Disease Space. 2020.

• Expressive Arts Training. Expressive Arts Florida. 2020-2022.

• The Responsive Classroom SEL training. 2000.

• Fulbright Group Scholarship Namibia, Africa, Phi Beta Kappa, Phi Beta Kappa Book Award, Asrelsky Award for Writing, Luebben Award for Best Paper in Anthropology Department

• Writing Teachers of many years: Anne Hoffland, Burleigh Muten

Writing and Published Work

• Contributing Writer and Editor for Living in the Light of Rare Diseases. Traveled nationwide interviewing and writing narratives about people with rare diseases for online and print publications. Narrative medicine, medical journalism and long form biographies/ storytelling. frompatienttoperson.com

• Author. Sign Language Shabbat. Authored a novel series of holiday books featuring photographs of deaf children signing holiday words. Honored as Selected Book of the Year at PJ Library conference. 2018. Two more books under contract: Sign Language Havadallah, Hanukkah.

• Curriculum Writer. Published curriculum for nationwide traveling photography exhibit about LGBTQ+ families. Published curriculum for Building Bridges featuring immigrant families. 2022.

• Long and short form content for several businesses and organizations.

• Curriculum Writer. Fulbright Scholarship. Published curriculum about indigenous folktales for grades K- 6.durig my fieldwork in Namibia, 1995.

• Contributor. St. Paul Public School Teacher Standards.

Mentor/Teacher for Student-Led Projects within context of various professional positions

• Book and Cake. Founded “Book and Cake” student-led writing groups and literary magazine for girls and LGBTQ kids that are student-led. Ages 12-16. Mentored students to lead all aspects of the program from writing stories, creating art, fundraising, printing, marketing, publishing, and distribution. 2016- Present.

• Wild Arts Cafe, Founded expressive arts program for student wellness. thewildartscafe.com Student-led projects in expressive arts that involved minimal teacher direction and students are encouraged to develop their own ideas and execute them.

• Lead School Teacher: K-8 at various inner city schools and private schools. Withtin these roles, I led dozens of student-led projects including writing and performing original plays, student-led academic competition teams such as Odyssey of the Mind, academic research, arts, media. One student-written and directed play explored life post 9/11 and was recognized by the Center for Media Education.

• Art Teacher. K-6; Long term substitute teacher at Lander Grinspoon Academy. Northampton, MA. 2016. Fostered creative art projects.

• Lead Teacher. K-2. Circles for Jewish Living. 2014-2016

• International Travel with teens to Morelia, Mexico to volunteer at Hogar Irekani orphanage to lead their own fundraising, art projects, and cook alongside a student-run taqueria.

Hello! My name is Alisa Greenbacher, and I am an author, educator, and writing instructor based in the beautiful Western Massachusetts. My work spans authoring children's and middle-grade literature, leading young people's writing groups, mental health coaching, teaching, and working in expressive arts. I am passionate about any and all forms of expression that allow us to grow, practice self-love, laugh, and connect. My work is inspired by creating supportive and uplifting environments that allow us to honor our best and most authentic selves. My most recent work is my middle-grade verse novel, Sprig, a story which encapsulates the ethos of my work - love, chosen family, and identity. I am currently seeking a literary agent for Sprig.

Contact me with any proposals, collaborations, or questions here:

alisagreenbacherauthor@gmail.com

Professional Development

• Certification in Seeing Stars and Lips: Lindamood-Bell (for struggling readers and writers)

• Certification as a Multicultural Conflict Resolution Mediator UMass.

• St. Paul Public Schools Supplemental Training in English as a Second Language Education Reading and Writing and Success for All

• Greenfield Center School Professional Development: White Skin Privilege

• Certification as a Patient Advocate in the Rare Disease Space through PPALS