Mary Anna Scenga Kruch

Poet

Williamston, MI
Michigan US

Author's Bio

Mary Anna Scenga Kruch is a career educator and writer, often inspired by her Italian family and the natural world. She taught middle school language arts and was a reading specialist during 30 years of classroom teaching following a BA in English Education and MA in Literacy from Michigan State University. Dr. Kruch earned a Ph D in Curriculum and Instruction in 1991. Following her classroom teaching career, Mary Anna worked as an Assistant Professor in English Education at Grand Valley State University and served as a Field Supervisor for Nothern Michigan University. Dr. Kruch has published a textbook, Nurturing Motivation in Young Adolescent Writers (2012), a poetry chapbook, We Draw Breath from the Same Sky (2019), and a full-length collection, Grace Notes: A Memoir in Poetry & Prose (2021). She is widely published in state and national literary journals.

Publications & Prizes

Book:
Grace Notes: A Memoir of Poetry & Prose (Goldfish Press, 2021)
Chapbook:
We Draw Breath from the Same Sky (Finishing Line Press, 2019)
Prizes won: 

Outstanding Doctoral Dissertation Award Honorable Mention, Phi Delta Kappa, Michigan State University, 1991

Professor of the Year, School of Education/English, Grand Valley State University, 2004

The Charles Carpenter Fries Award from Michigan Council of Teachers of English, 2021

Personal Favorites

Favorite authors: 
Angeline Boulley Maya Angelo Joyce Carol Oates Edith Wharton Joy Harjo Wallace Stegner Elizabeth Stout W.S. Merwin Terry Blackhawk Robert Fanning Terry Wooten Mary Oliver
What I'm reading now: 
Warrior Girl Unearthed by Angeline Boulley, Horse by Gwendolyn Brooks, Tom Lake by Anne Patchett, The Blessing by Richard Jones

More Information

Gives readings: 
Yes
Travels for readings: 
Yes
Identifies as: 
American, Italian American
Prefers to work with: 
Adults, Children, Mental Health, Teachers, Women
Born in: 
Detroit, MI
Michigan
Raised in: 
Detroit, MI
Michigan
Please note: All information in the Directory is provided by the listed writers or their representatives.
Last update: Oct 08, 2023