Creative Compass Retreat Spring 2026

crftycass@gmail.com

Hi! My name is Cassie Anderson. I am a PNW native and have been in Medford, Oregon for the last 30+ years where my husband and I have raised our two children. I have worked as a teaching assistant in the same elementary school for the last 19 years. The most recent 8-Ish years have been in SpEd/Resource supporting students with lagging areas – reading, math, and social-emotional skills. I love to find ways to plus (adapt and enhance) curriculum in order to better get it to connect with my students and meet their individual needs. Looking forward to connecting with you all!

arick.nicole@gmail.com

Hi, I’m Nicole Arick! I live in Portland, Oregon, with my husband, Jesse, and our two kids—Peyton (13, full-on teenager) and Connor (9, gamer). After 15 years as an elementary classroom teacher, I found my happy place in the library and have been a library teacher for the past four years. I love helping kids discover books that make them feel seen and excited to read, and I believe the library should be the heart of a school. Outside of work, I’m usually at a Trail Blazers basketball game, the beach, or cheering on my kids.

Rawrbookspublishing@gmail.com

Hi everyone! I’m Laura, a children’s book author and former school teacher and administrator based in Chicago, Illinois. My creative work is rooted in family, connection, and joy, and I’m the author of the picture books You and Me and Animal Who?. With a background in education, I bring a child-centered lens to storytelling and love creating opportunities where books, art, and imagination bring families together. My personal motto is embrace joy, which guides both my creative life and my work with young readers. I’m so grateful to be here and excited to learn alongside all of you!

crystal.bezzini@gmail.com

Hi, I’m Crystal from East Hartford, Connecticut. I work in education and will be starting my doctorate this spring, focusing on leadership and learning. I’m passionate about personal growth, creativity, and making space to reflect in a busy life. I’m in a season of positive change-spending less time on social media and coaching Girls on the Run. I’m excited to connect with fellow participants, play with new ideas, and see where the creative process takes me this weekend!

heidi0295@gmail.com

I live in the Dominican Republic, I was born and raised in NYC. I love singing karaoke and dancing!

acventures3@gmail.com

kdslp3@gmail.com

I'm currently living in Boston but Middlebury, CT has been my "home base" for the past three years. I've been caring for my mom and my teenaged nephew. Previously, I've worked in special education (speech/language pathologist) in CT, Cambridge, Winchester and Somerville public schools integrating art and drama activities into all my lessons. At this moment I am in a major transitional stage in my life: submitting my retirement papers, selling my house, and exploring my options for my next adventure.

joliedrury@gmail.com

I am a Montessori teacher of 9-12 year olds. This has been my passion for 30 years. Originally from Minnesota, I moved to Massachusetts to attend Lesley University and stuck around to get married and raise a family. I have lived in Allston, Natick, Waltham, Lawrence and now Falmouth; taught in Dover, Andover, and now Sagamore. Living on Cape Cod is a dream come true. I raised my 3 boys here splashing on the beaches and climbing trees in the forests.

lisammgoddard@gmail.com

I’m a final year PhD student in Reggio Childhood Studies currently living in Italy (but moving back to Cambridge, MA soon!). Before that, I was a pre-K teacher, pedagogista, toddler curriculum developer, and atelierista. In my life before early childhood, I studied Applied Linguistics, and languages are a big passion of mine. Other things I like to do include volunteering (I volunteered for refugee support organizations for many years), taking my dogs on adventures (they have hiked steep cliffs at Acadia National Park), train (I like lifting heavy things), and do art.

cindigray@yahoo.com

I am a primary school teacher librarian who always enjoy being positive, creative and collaborating with others. I live in Newtonville Ontario Canada outside of Toronto.

kajgregg@gmail.com

Hamilton, Massachusetts is my home base for one sleep-deprivation. Mother of four tiny humans and chaos coordinator to an alarming surplus of other people’s children (also known as teaching). I am a writer who plans on querying this summer when I finally BREATHE

Autumnbhankins@icloud.com

My name is Autumn Hankins and I live in Birmingham, AL! I’ve been Creating Bravely for almost 2 years now and have several picture book manuscripts in the works. Looking forward to having this time to learn and loosen up creatively; I can be a bit of a perfectionist and I know this is the perfect spot to unlearn that habit and find some time to be a bit more brave in my work.

Susanahansen4@gmail.com

I am a children's writer and hope to be illustrator. I am also a collage and watercolor artist. I retired from public school teaching a couple of years ago and moved from Austin, Texas to the small town of Navasota, population 8000. I love the sense of community that I have found in this town. I have four adult children and three grandchildren to whom I dedicate most of my stories and art.

choskins@westfordk12.us

Fourth grade teacher in Westford MA. I went to undergrad and grad for integrating the arts into an elementary classroom. Currently challenging myself to learn pottery on the wheel - It’s been difficult, but a delight! I’m a dog mom and overly excited about an animals you may want to chat about !

michstate01@gmail.com

I am an elementary library media specialist and children's book nerd from Dover, Delaware. I'm married to Kirk, and have two adult kiddos - Cannon and Olivia (Mike) along with two former AFS students, Rasto (Slovakia) and Paolo (Panama.) My husband and I love to travel and experience other cultures. My hobbies include gardening, working on our Victorian-era home, and walking my 9-year old german shepherd, Scarlett. I love solving the NYT crossword puzzle; cooking and gardening shows; and maintaining my DuoLingo streak for French and chess. At this stage, I’m ready to write my next chapter...

dsjc07@gmail.com

I’m a Bronx, New York-based nonprofit leader, consultant, and adjunct lecturer, living with my husband as we settle into our empty-nester era.

Macie.kerbs@usca.edu

I’m a professor in teacher education based in Aiken, South Carolina, where I work with future educators and stay deeply connected to the world of literacy and learning. I’m an avid reader and passionate book collector, always searching for stories that inspire, challenge, and reflect diverse experiences. Beyond my professional life, I’m a mom who values curiosity, creativity, and meaningful moments with my family. Whether I’m teaching, reading, or sharing books with others, I’m driven by a love for learning and a belief in the power of stories to shape who we are and how we connect with the world around us.

slake@sonomaschools.org

My name is Sara Hubbard Lake, and I am a Northern California Native and my family and I currently live in Sonoma, CA. I have always been a lover of books, something I think I can attribute to the fact that my mom was constantly reading to us as children. I have worked in used bookstores and new bookstores in multiple states, and I have been the Library Media Specialist at a dual language school for the last 10 years. I also love all things creative; sewing, knitting, singing, crocheting, painting, drawing, and working with clay to name more than a few. I’m not particularly good at any of it, but I still love it.

thescienceworks@gmail.com

My name is Steve Lechner, and I am currently the K-3rd grade Science Teacher at Solomon Schechter Day School in Newton. I also operate my own business, The Science Works, presenting hands on science and magic workshops/performances for children and educators. I am also a grandfather to three precocious little scientists.

llengyel@lesley.edu

Hello! I am currently living in the north shore of Boston, specifically Swampscott. I moved here 15 years ago, originally from Pittsburgh PA. New England has become my home, one that I could see staying in for many years to come. I am passionate about literacy, especially children’s lit. Watching my grandchildren engage with books is truly amazing and brings me such joy; their ages range from 5 to 8months. The 5 year old is often seen reading a book to her 8 month old brother. Professionally I come from the field of education and have been an advocate for inclusive education in all I do.

erica@ericamattison.com

Erica Mattison, MPA, JD, is an executive and career coach, facilitator, speaker, and founder of Erica Mattison Coaching & Consulting LLC.

Based in the Boston area, she draws on more than 20 years of experience in sustainability, higher education, public service, and social impact to support professionals, leaders, and organizations in clarifying direction, recognizing strengths, and moving forward with greater confidence and intention.

She provides executive coaching and team development support for leaders, teams, and organizations seeking stronger communication, clearer decision-making, and more sustainable growth.

She supports individuals seeking greater career clarity, navigating change, or preparing for growth in their work and leadership, including creatives, small business owners, and entrepreneurs.

A public-interest attorney turned coach, Erica holds degrees in psychology, public administration, and law. She is the author of Clarifying What Matters: Creating Direction for Your Career and host of the Conversations with Erica podcast. She shares career and professional development resources at ericamattison.com.

karamurphy4@gmail.com

I live in Wakefield, Mass, I am an early childhood educator and I am passionate about it. Family, friends, reading, music and the beach are some of my favorite things. I am very excited for this opportunity!

katherine@citychurchrva.com

Not one to say no to a creative adventure, I’ve found myself down many creative art paths-art teacher, painter, calligrapher, and the one that’s been around the longest, puppeteering! Currently, I create curriculum for the children’s ministry at City Church in Richmond, Virginia and teach an art camp every summer there called “Created to Create”- which teaches kids to use their gifts to glorify God. I also still puppeteer for local theaters and have recently been filming a kids TV show called “Torbee” as well. In my free time, I enjoy reading, running, and drinking copious amounts of tea!

ryanq@chariotscrolls.com

Ryan, from Dedham, MA originally. I live in outside of DC, in West Falls Church, Virginia, with my wife and toddler. I wrote a children's book about a penguin learning to fly, which will come out in May. I am excited to spend time this weekend exploring myself as a doodler and reflecting on what a successful first year as an author would look like. Outside of this passion and my family, I enjoy collaborating with schools in the area for Scholastic.

Ramireza10@sacredheart.edu

I am currently living in the vibrant city of New Haven (when I’m not painting in Mexico) and working as an adjunct professor at Sacred Heart University in Fairfield CT. This supports my creative art practice and community workshops that I host gathering folks of all backgrounds and ages to share stories through visual art making. My work is simple: serve others by teaching creativity. I published my first children’s book Walking in Oaxaca in 2025.

Michelle.Rasheed@usca.edu

I'm Michelle Rasheed. I live in Aiken SC and love my role as an assistant professor in the School of Education at the University of South Carolina Aiken. I enjoy reading, spending time with my family, and playing with my two standard poodles.

janetzreynolds@gmail.com

I’m Janet Z. Reynolds, and my work has always centered around education, community, and connection. I currently serve as Director of Annual Giving at Ursuline Academy in Dedham, where I help build support for the school’s mission. Before that, I spent several years in advancement and admissions, focusing on communications and community engagement.
I’ve also been part of the Blue Bunny Bookstore for many years, managing the store and now helping lead events and promotions—it’s a place that truly celebrates the power of stories. Earlier in my career, I worked as a lead preschool teacher, nurturing young learners and their creativity.
My mission is to use my skills and experience in ways that make a positive impact, whether locally or globally. I care deeply about expanding access to care, safety, and education, and I’m a strong advocate for literacy, lifelong learning, and the thoughtful use of media and technology. I’m especially passionate about helping young people grow with creativity, confidence, and a sense of purpose, and I believe in the power of intergenerational connections to strengthen our shared wisdom and values.

jss00337@vsu.edu

Hello everyone! I live in Littleton, MA with my dog, Waldo and family. I teach preservice early childhood and special educators in Vermont. I believe in collaborative projects, and my hope is to collaborate with some of you about my work examining meaningful and authentically represented children's books about disability.

cmschaab@gmail.com

Hi! My name is Caroline Schaab. I’m an elementary school librarian located in the Park Ridge, IL - just Northwest of Chicago. I've been in education in various roles for 22 years. This is my 9th year in the library, and I’m thrilled to have the opportunity to work together at the TLC studios. As an educator, I’ve seen firsthand how a single story can unlock a child's world. My 'compass' is always pointing toward deeper connection and literacy-based empowerment. I’m looking forward to learning from all of you, sharing ideas, and exploring new ways to foster creativity in my library, my community, and beyond.

designr66@verizon.net

I live in Spotswood, NJ and teach graphic design classes at the high school and college levels. I've always been interested in creating books and stories for children, but in my "first act" I became a graphic designer and an art director for the NBA. In my "second act", I turned to teaching at the high school and college level. So for my "third act", I'm revisiting the idea of writing and illustrating books for kids like the ones I enjoyed reading to my own children.

sarahseniw@gmail.com

I am a wife, mother, and elementary school librarian who lives in Albany, NY. I enjoy hiking, baking, reading, writing poetry, gardening, watercolor painting, and going to see live music.

lorisenno@gmail.com

My name is Lori. I live and teach in Cumberland, RI and have been an early childhood educator FOREVER. Next Year I will retire as a Kindergarten Teacher after 30 years in my school district. (Yipee!) My husband and I are hoping to go on an around the world cruise after retirement. I love to dance and tell stories. I taught Zumba for many years and I’m currently learning to play the ukulele. I hate to drive, but love going camping. I can't wait to see what I get to do in my next chapter of life!

onelove45@msn.com

Hello! My name is Abby Slife and I'm from Ankeny, Iowa. I live with my husband, Jeremiah, whom I met while living in Colorado. We have two sons, Sam (19) and Adam (15), two cats (Ziggy and Cora), and the best behaved Slife, our dog, Sunny (14). Sunny and I have done pet therapy at our local hospice house for over 10 years. I work full-time as a Special Education Paraprofessional and love what I do/who I serve. My favorite way to connect with kids is through books, drawing and coloring; hence, a profound love and admiration for all things Peter and Paul Reynolds!

becca.calla@gmail.com

Hello! I am a school-based speech-language pathologist in Southbridge, MA. Mist if my caseload are students on the autism spectrum and I am focused on learning and practicing the most neuroaffirming ways to support their communication through a ppaybased approach. I also have a BFA with a concentration in 3-D design. I live in Holland, MA, a sweet little town around a reservoir, with my 8 year old son, Jasper.

lavernct@aol.com

My name is Laura Smith, I live in Ponte Vedra, FL. I’m a parent to three children (ages 11, 10, and 7). This is the very first time I have ever left my husband with the children overnight. And, yes I am currently wondering if the house will still be standing when I return. Before I became a mother, I worked as an Occupational Therapist. Currently, I’m a community advocate & volunteer. I support causes such as improving literacy rates in children, and supporting organizations that serve individuals struggling from homelessness, poverty, and the disease of addiction. I remain deeply passionate and committed to creating an atmosphere of unity, compassion, and love, in both our personal home and our community.

katemspector@gmail.com

Hi, I’m Kate! I live in Clifton Park, NY. I work as an elementary art teacher in Saratoga Springs. I love helping kids explore their creativity and seeing their ideas come to life. Outside of school, I’m spending time with my family (husband and two kids ages 9 & 5), and diving in to my photography business on the side. I’m always looking for inspiration in everyday moments. I’m excited to spend the weekend creating, connecting, and trying something new!

santinastewartslp@gmail.com

Hi. I'm Santina and I live in Albany NY. I am a speech language pathologist and worked for over 15 years primarily with preschool students. Currently, I continue to work in the special education field. I have always had a dream to write children's books as I saw first hand how the students I worked with and my own children learned through literature. I would like to have the time at this retreat to get on this path and pursue my ambitions. I am excited to be inspired to write in this creative environment.

sarajstockton@yahoo.com

My name is Sara… I live in Wall Township, NJ about a mile from the Jersey Shore. I have 2 beautiful daughters, Olive & Hazel. I am an Art Educator for students with Multiple Disabilities & Autism Spectrum Disorder, ages 5-21. I love to draw, specifically with markers & want to be able to give myself the time to do it more often.

nancytupperling@gmail.com

Hi! I'm a children’s author, poet, book seller and librarian. Basically, I surround myself with books! My latest picture book is entitled Hearts in My Pocket. I have great fun teaching poetry to all ages and I live in Walpole, MA.

stefaniewheelerlmt@hotmail.com

I am the girl with the heart-shaped balloon! I am a wonder seeker! Play, creativity and imagination are my Young Genius traits. I find meaning and purpose in helping others find a voice for their dreams. I am an advocate and resiliency teacher/leader for Dreamers. Being a Messenger of hope is extremely important to me. I believe in the power of colors, word play, and stickers. I draw/paint something everyday! I live in Manchester, NH with my fiance, Travis and my 15 year old son Auggie who has autism. Even though everyday is a challenge, I find strength and peace in my connection with Jesus.

jenizerphy143@gmail.com

I am currently a K–5 gifted and twice-exceptional support teacher in State College, PA, and an author/artist at heart. I’ve had the pleasure of teaching in public, private, and homeschool settings, as well as through environmental outreach. My work blends literacy, math, and STEAM with a deep commitment to belonging, creativity, and neurodiversity. Outside the classroom, I create digital art, photography, and children’s stories inspired by nature and wonder. I’m an idea machine—but 12-hour workdays (plus weekends and breaks) have left zero room for family, self-care, or my art. After losing my dad this October, I’m here to reconnect with my one beautiful life, reconnect with my creative voice and connect meaningfully with others. (Dad would sketch a large Vashti for me every year to celebrate Dot Day.)