Marnie Dresser

 creativity consultant, teacher, workshop leader

What I Do

workshops for educators and entrepreneurs


Here are some of the ways I can bring creative thinking and training to you, your classroom, or your business:


  • • classroom sessions, usually 45 minutes long
  • • 20-minute talks, ideal for clubs and lunches
  • • 1-2 hour sessions with activities
  • • full-day or multi-day workshops
  • • a series of units for even more intensive work


for educators


In working with teachers, I’ve found that there’s a lot of desire for creativity, but there aren’t necessarily clear paths toward creativity. I can show you those paths.


I’ve worked with elementary school teachers for four years on creativity training (along with some creative writing, especially as it overlaps with creativity).  I’ve worked with groups of teachers outside of the classroom, and I’ve also worked with elementary school teachers in the classroom setting.


blog & e-newsletter


You can also subscribe to my email newsletter and follow me in my blog—both of which are coming soon! There you’ll find activities for your students as well as recommended reading for yourself. For K-12 teachers, I explain how these activities connect to Common Core and other  learning outcomes. I also include links to other resources, and free teaching materials that aren’t available in the blog.


All of this is aimed at helping students be more creative. It’s important to note, though, that the activities and benefits are not only for students, but also for teachers and staff. After all, everyone can benefit from being more creative.


“I now see opportunities for creativity
             that I didn’t see before.” 

                                — Alison P., UW-Platteville  

Over the years, I’ve worked with a wide variety of groups:


  • • elementary school teachers
  • • university professors
  • • university staff
  • • credit union board of directors
  • • community groups


For example, I’ve taught creativity to professionals in a 24-unit course over one summer, presented to business groups, and have also facilitated a workshop with about 30 UW-Platteville professors from various departments. 


Much of what I pass on about creativity during these workshops and sessions comes from my experience teaching creative writing as part of my full-time teaching load for 27 years.  I’ve developed more ideas and activities while teaching a 300-level class for the UW students on Creativity & Problem-Solving. 


It’s interesting how many of the activities I use with  fourth graders are adaptable for sessions with adults. For instance, both elementary students and university professors become really absorbed with making something out of a material as mundane as aluminum foil—alternative uses activities can definitely spark people’s creativity, no matter their age!