Mary Anna Kruch

Mary Anna Scenga Kruch is an educator and writer who received a BA in secondary education English/Journalism (1973), an MA in literacy (1977), and a Ph in Curriculum & Instruction (1991) from Michigan State University. She was a career middle school classroom teacher (1973-2003) and a tenure-track assistant professor at Grand Valley State University (2003-2008).Over the past 10 years, she has worked with student teachers as a Field Supervisor for Northern Michigan University. She happily stays connected with many former students.

Mary Anna wrote a textbook, TEND YOUR GARDEN: NURTURING MOTIVATION IN YOUNG ADOLESCENT WRITERS in 2012. After locating her family's ancestral home in Pofi, Italy, the author researched and wrote about her father's family and its history in the poetry chapbook, WE DRAW BREATH FROM THE SAME SKY (2019). Her most recent book is a full-length collection, GRACE NOTES: A MEMOIR IN POETRY & PROSE. Her writing appears in numerous literary journals and anthologies.

Writing and photography are inspired by family here and in Italy, mental illness, social justice, the healing attributes of nature, and the connection to those who experience estrangement and loss. Mary Anna is married and has two grown-up daughters and a remarkable grandson! She enjoys photographing family and the natural world, cooking Italian dishes, reading, crocheting, sketching, and most of all, she loves spending time with family near and far.