Terri Weiss

I’m a resident of Washingtonville in beautiful Orange County, NY.  I came to teaching in a very non-traditional path.  I worked my way through college in the fragrance industry, finally running the marketing department of a mid-sized company in New Jersey.  I had a wonderful time visiting cities and countries around the world and the US, and working with companies as diverse as Target, Ralph Lauren and Hasbro Toys…and spent all my spare time working with kids.

September 11, 2001 was a turning point in my life where I truly looked at what I was doing – and realized it was not enough to make this world what I want it to be.  Luckily for me, a series of wonderful coincidences occurred allowing me the chance to start again as a teacher, and the last 13 years have been the happiest in my life.  I currently teach eighth grade ELA at Valley Central Middle School, and founded a literacy consultant position in my building.

My experience with HVWP began five years ago with some fantastic Saturday Seminars.  Who knew that two years later I’d have completed the year-long Institute, led four Youth Writing Workshops and have even facilitated at those same Saturday Seminars?  HVWP has been transformational to my pedagogy and truly shifted my writing mindset in a way I never thought was possible.  I’m so excited to help facilitate this new Institute with y’all!  

When not teaching, I’m happily married to the fantastic Gerry, with whom I sing and laugh every single day.  I spend leisure time reading, playing guitar and doing community theater…in fact I’m currently rehearsing a musical to open in September.   Don’t worry, I’ll tactfully plug it over the summer.