Sondra Hall is the Founding Director of "Take My Word For It!". Her inspiration as an artist-educator is fueled by her belief in the power of the written word to transform both teacher and student. She’s seen first hand that when kids’ imaginations are ignited, they're more engaged and enthusiastic about learning. Because she thinks a lot of students spend too little of their school day crafting stories, swimming in their imaginations and applying their creative spark to the page, she conceived of "Take My Word For It!" as a way to bring the adventure that is writing to elementary school kids.

BOSTON INSTRUCTORS

Elle Chu, a California native, Japanese expatriate and current Boston inhabitant, has found her love for writing has only increased with travel. She is in her last year at Emerson College, studying for a BFA in Writing, Literature & Publishing with a focus on Poetry. Having loved writing ever since she was a child, Elle hopes to combine her passions for education, culture, and creative writing by fostering an early appreciation of writing and spreading the love of stories and poetry.

Ariella Javaheri is a student at Boston University majoring in Communications and minoring in Arts Leadership. Originally from New York, Ariella has been enjoying exploring a new city. In her free time, she visits museums and paints. She is excited to combine her passions for creative writing and working with kids as a new member of the "Take My Word For It!" team.

Rishka Mehra is a student at Boston University studying English and music. In the past, she has worked as a writing tutor and theatre assistant. She has recently undertaken the position of Director for BU's community service performance group, BU Off-Broadway. Her experience in the performance field has taught her to project an individual voice into her storytelling and to write in a way that is accessible beyond the page. Rishka believes that all children deserve the opportunity to explore the potential of their surroundings through creative writing.