OUR VISION

The Merry Barn is a joyful haven where…

  • creativity, community, and connection are nurtured and celebrated.

  • the power of words and creativity are explored, contributing to a more just, equitable, and compassionate world.

  • learning is engaging and empowering; and learners of all ages have freedom to explore their passions, take risks, and thrive.

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OUR MISSION

In support of our vision, Merry Barn Writers’ Retreat offers:

  • writing experiences for kids and adults, where participants to tell their stories, write within a supportive community and send their voices into the world.

  • creativity workshops and retreats.

  • a community gathering space available for rental.

Stephanie Noyes McSherry

is Executive Director of Merry Barn Writers’ Retreat. Most recently literacy teacher leader for Bowdoin Central School, Stephanie began teaching third grade in Brookline, MA, more than 24 years ago. Stephanie has worked in districts across New England as a classroom teacher, and literacy coach and specialist. She has also been a literacy consultant for Tufts University’s Center for Applied Child Development, and served as teacher-in-residence in the University of New Hampshire’s Education Department. Stephanie has a BA in Latin American Studies from Trinity College; an MA in Teaching from Simmons College; and a Certificate of Advanced Graduate Studies in Literacy from USM. She was a 2006 fellow of the National Writing Project at the University of Massachusetts/Boston. Stephanie lives in Newcastle, ME, with her black lab, Loki.

Board of Directors

Brenda Alexander, President

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Anne Atwell Merkel, Vice President

is the co-author of The Reading Zone, 2nd Edition: How to Help Kids Become Skilled, Passionate, Habitual, Critical Readers (Scholastic, 2016) and the Center for Teaching and Learning’s teacher of grades 7-8 writing, reading, and history since 2013, as well as the school’s Model United Nations adviser. Anne graduated from Amherst College with a double major in American Studies and English. She earned her teaching certification from the Center for Inspired Teaching in Washington, D.C., and taught sixth grade in the public school system there, as well as grades 6-8 language arts at Friends Community School in College Park, Maryland.  Anne presents about middle-school literacy at national and regional conferences and helps coordinate CTL’s program for visiting educators from around the world who wish to adapt the school’s methods of writing and reading instruction.



Marcia DeGeer, Treasurer

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Maureen Barbieri, Secretary

has taught middle and high school and has been a principal and staff developer in New York City. Her first book, Sounds from the Heart, received the James N. Britton Award for Inquiry with the English Language Arts from the National Council of Teachers of English as well as the International Educator’s Award from the Delta Kappa Gamma Society. She is also the author of Change My Life Forever. Maureen served for eight years on the faculty of NYU’s Steinhardt School of Culture, Education, and Human Development. She is currently a literacy editor at Stenhouse Publishers.



Creativity Thrives Here!