Gretchen Bernabei

Gretchen Bernabei is a nationally respected educator, author, and writing expert with more than three decades of experience teaching writing in middle and high school classrooms. A sought-after workshop presenter and recipient of the National Council of Teachers of English’s James Moffett Award, Gretchen has devoted her career to helping students and teachers unlock the power of strong writing through clear structure and meaningful expression.

She is the author of numerous influential instructional books, including The Good Writer’s Kit and Lightning in a Bottle, and has contributed to a wide range of professional publications and text-structure series that guide educators in teaching writing across genres and grade levels. Her work blends practical strategies with deep respect for students’ voices, helping learners grow as thinkers, communicators, and confident writers.

Gretchen’s books span topics from mentor-text-based instruction to fun-sized academic writing lessons, and she has collaborated with fellow educators on several editions of Text Structures series titles used widely in classrooms nationwide.

Beyond her writing, she has led workshops and professional development sessions across the country, inspiring teachers to transform their instruction and empower every student to write with clarity and purpose.

She lives in Texas and continues to support educators and writers through speaking, consulting, and community engagement in literacy education.