DEBORAH GERRISH,Ed.D is the author of the collection of poems, The Language of Paisley (2012) and the chapbook, The Language of Rain (2008). Her poems have appeared in Lips, Journal of New Jersey Poets, The Stillwater Review, Ararat, Exit 13, Off Line: An Anthology of New Jersey Poets, Bridges, other anthologies, and The Paterson Literary Review.  She was awarded an Edward Fry Fellowship for scholarship research work at Rutger’s University (2003) and received her Ed. D. in Literacy Education in 2004. In 2015, she received her MFA in Poetry from Drew University. She taught English for over thirty years in NJ public schools, and teaches poetry workshop at Fairleigh Dickinson University. She served as VP of Programs (2012-2015) for Women Who Write, Inc.