About | For The Joy Of Learn

Claire Brislin

About Me

I am a writer, educator, performer and creative coach who believes in the transformative power of passion-driven learning. I have a BA in English from Haverford College, an MA in Literature from Middlebury’s Bread Loaf School of English, and an MFA in Writing for Children from Simmons University.

I have taught high school and middle school English, literature, humanities, drama and creative writing in schools across the country and the world, including Colorado, Singapore, Alaska, Chile, Arizona and Oregon. Throughout my twelve-year teaching career, I have worked with incredible teachers and students from around the globe and have witnessed first hand the profound power of centering JOY and passion at the heart of education.

I left traditional classroom teaching to pursue my MFA in Writing for Children and have been writing children's literature from picturebooks to young adult novels. My love for writing and nurturing creativity combined with my commitment to improving education led to the birth of For the Joy of Learning, where I prioritize passion-driven creative learning experience for youth.

I currently live and work in beautiful Bend, Oregon where in addition to my writing and creative work I enjoy singing, hiking, mountain biking, and general adventuring with my darling pup, Haiku.

Teaching Experience

Cascades Academy

Verde Valley School

I served as an upper school English teacher at Cascades Academy, a private school in Bend, OR that emphasizes expeditionary and project-based learning.

I served as as an IB English and Literature teacher, coach and dorm parent at Verde Valley School, an international boarding school with a unique program that combines the academic rigor of the IB Diploma Program with experiential and expeditionary learning.

Cedar Girls School

I served as an English language, literature, and drama teacher at Cedar Girls School, one of the top public secondary schools in Singapore.

Idiomas-sans-Fronteras
(Languages without Borders)

I taught English language classes at a small hostel and language school in Puerta Varas, Chile to local Chileans ages 5-65 using my own original curriculum and play-based methods.

Bedok North School

I served as an English language and literature teacher at Bedok North School in Singapore. I wrote and launched a radio broadcast program for the school's new broadcast studio.

Kent Denever School

I began my teaching career as a 6th-grade teaching fellow at Kent Denver School, a 6th-12th grade private school in Englewood, CO. I taught 6th grade humanities and creative writing.