About Me - Heidi Mordhorst, MSEd, MA

I’ve been a teacher and an early-years Language & Literature specialist since 1986, working in public school systems in New York City, London UK, Prince George’s County and Montgomery County, plus an 8-year stint in a Bethesda cooperative nursery school. Throughout these years, I’ve taught poetry reading and writing workshops for all ages from 4 to adult, as well as in-service training for teachers. Most recently I taught for 11 years at Rock View ES, and after retiring from full-time classroom teaching in June 2022, I served as a part-time ELD teacher through June 2024.

I’m also the author of articles and reviews of children’s literature and my own two collections of poetry for young people—Squeeze: Poems from a Juicy Universe and Pumpkin Butterfly: Poems from the Other Side of Nature, both published by Wordsong/Boyds Mills. My work appears in numerous poetry anthologies and journals for readers of all ages, many pictured here. I recently completed 3 years of service on the National Council of Teachers of English Excellence in Poetry Award Committee, and I’m a member of the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators. [FULL RESUME]

What is a WHISPERshout Workshop?

OUT-OF-SCHOOL TIME WORKSHOPS

In a WHISPERshout writing workshop, young readers and writers work in a very small group of just 6 to 10 kids with me, veteran classroom teacher, published poet, and early years literacy specialist Heidi Mordhorst. 

Each program has a planned outline, but each week I consider the needs and interests of the children in the group and adjusts the content to match.  Each child receives weekly individual support at their level of reading and writing development, while simultaneously participating in a socially and emotionally rich group literacy experience.

Class length is 75-90 minutes to allow time for the expert attention required by this creative/ academic work. At the last class of each session, children present their work to an audience and take home a published product they can share with their families. 

SCHOOL-DAY CLASSROOM WORKSHOPS

As in the small-group workshops, “Ms. Heidi” works with school staff to plan a custom program for each class or grade, considering the needs and interests of the children and the requirements of the curriculum.

A single 75-90 minute session typically includes an interactive lesson using a smartboard or easel pad, a group or independent writing time with individual conferences as time allows, and a sharing opportunity for young writers who wish to read. Each workshop is designed to be culturally responsive and to support a socially and emotionally rich literacy experience.