Offerings
CLASSES | WORKSHOPS | PRESENTATIONS
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.
“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.
Classes
With a lifelong passion for Children’s Literature and commitment to Peace Education Merna offers two workshops ideal for Teachers, Parents, Activists, Teaching Artists, Counselors, and School Librarians.
These are on-going workshops with two, four or six week meetings or a one-time session. They include the extensive resources Merna continues to gather, hands-on examples of materials and lively discussions about peace education 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. Her materials include art and writing from children during the Spanish Civil War through the current violent wars in Gaza and Ukraine. Powerful narratives, poetry and imagery created by refugees and immigrants of all ages are also included.
The offerings for these classes are:
Children's and Young Adult Literature for Understanding Immigration and Forced Migration
Creating a More Sustainable and Humane World: Picture Books for Global Understandings & Compassion
Poetry Workshops
Merna has taught poetry to ages six to eighty-six! From years of working as a WITS writer (Writer in the Schools) and to her roles as founder and teaching artist for poetry in the Stories of Arrival: Refugee and Immigrant Poetry Projects and for Word Travels, at UW Tacoma and through on-going classes and workshops for adults her embrace of poetry is expansive.
Merna’s ability to encourage others to wrap words around their sorrow or trauma and to witness and protest times of great social upheaval is unique to her approach. For information on Merna’s current poetry classes and workshops contact her through email.
“Each time I enter Merna’s poetry class, I feel an enormous sense of anticipation for the poetry she brings to us to study and absorb, poetry that is not only brilliant but strikes deep into the heart of who we are and the reality of the human condition.
When she gives us prompts from these poems for our own in-class writing, when she has us write without censorship, when she has us read our work aloud and highlights the powerful lines we write, inviting appreciation from the group for our work, she gives us the space and encouragement to keep writing and to believe in our own voices.
Being in her classes has improved my own poetry, my appreciation and understanding of the vast treasure house of new American poetry, and given me a new way of seeing. “
-Margaret O’Donnell, Playwright and Immigration Rights Activist, March, 2026
“Using her exquisite gift for language, coupled with her profound compassion for all of humanity, Merna Ann Hecht's poetry creates a bridge between separated souls. As a storyteller, her charisma and dramatic talent make for a mesmerizing experience which deeply touches the heart.”
-Jeanie Okimoto, Publisher Endicott and Hugh Books
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. Her peace-promoting stories along with unique love stories and elegant haunting tales are told in tandem with Seattle cellist Michelle Dodson enriching the experience with compelling cello music.
To Book Storytelling Performances of Workshops contact Merna by email
“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
What Students Are Saying
"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
The class was the most stimulating class I have had ever. It involved me emotionally and made me think through various perspectives.
-UW Art in Time of War student.
Poetry is the power that you can show it with the words in your heart. Poetry is the biggest hope of my life, it gives me hope for life again.
-Stories of Arrival Student, from Afghanistan
I absolutely loved this class. It gave me a whole new perspective on war and the power of art.
-UW Art in Time of War student.
Sometimes words are not enough to express your opinion, feelings, or perception. You can have all the existing words to express but if you don’t know how to use them, are you really fully expressing yourself? This is when you meet poetry, a way to communicate with your heart.
-Stories of Arrival Student, from Mexico
I didn’t know how much I didn’t know about the conflict situations around the world. Definitively changed my view and opened my eyes. This class changed my life!
-UW Art in Time of War student.
I was amazed at the Professor Merna’s knowledge of art in a time of war with many resources available!! This class is a must and I’ve recommended it to my friends already.
-UW Art in Time of War student.
Poetry helps others understand what young people who come to the U.S. as refugees or immigrants experience, because poetry helps immigrants and refugees talk through their hearts and say what they want and show their strength and how they still stand on their own feet.
-Stories of Arrival Student, from Somalia