Fairleigh Institute for Lifelong Learning at Florham 
(FILL-Florham)

 

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Deborah Gerrish is a teacher and award-winning poet whose poems appeared in several publications including Ararat, The Paterson Literary Review, Exit 13, Off Line, the South Mountain Anthology, and Goldfinch. Her chapbook, The Language of Rain, was published in 2008, and her latest collection of poems, The Language of Paisley, was published in 2012. She was a recipient of an Edward Fry Fellowship for scholarship and accomplishment as a doctoral student at Rutgers University where she received her Ed. D. in Literacy Education 2004. Deborah gives poetry readings in the area, and as one of the featured poets, she participated in the celebration of Women’s History Month at the Caldwell Library in March, 2010 -2013. As an English teacher, she taught in the New Jersey public schools for over 30 years.

 

Classes Deborah Teaches:

Poetry As Affirmation

Poetry can soothe, excite and stimulate the mind as well as the

heart. In this class, students will read, analyze and write poetry to see how meaningful it can be in their everyday lives in a comfortable workshop setting.

 

The Art of Poetry 

 

Looking at Poets

This innovative course will allow students to look at poetry from the perspectives of both crafting and analyzing poems.  Deborah will provide techniques to encourage creativity and generate ideas so that students will feel comfortable enough to write their own poems. Participants will also be given the opportunity to share their ideas if they choose (bring a notebook and pen to class). Judith will continue with an examination of the lives of well-known poets and an analysis of their works. Handouts will be provided.