Marissa is no stranger to the classroom. A second generation teacher, she used to spend her afternoons in her mother’s classroom, where she would help plan curriculum and art projects in between homework assignments. 

Marissa attended Indiana Wesleyan University, where she graduated magna cum laude with a degree in English Education. During her time at college, Marissa volunteered for two years as the Art Director of an after school program. Her summers were spent teaching primary aged children at a tiny sleep-away camp in the Adirondack mountains. 

After graduating, Marissa landed a job teaching high school English in Indianapolis, Indiana, where she taught for three years. Within three weeks of starting, Marissa began an after school literature/writing club. Her efforts garnered her a nomination for Teacher of the Year in 2016. 

When not inspiring young minds, Marissa can be found at the dog park with her two dogs, Jack and Molly. She is married to her college sweetheart.