SPOTLIGHT: Arts, Poetry and More

The Joy of Poetry, Short Stories, Book Club—Bari Attis has enjoyed leading these ILIR classes, as well as attending classes on all things literary and many other subjects. Before retiring, Bari had a 35-year career at Saint Andrew’s School in Boca Raton. She served as an English teacher, English department chair, and for 5 years as Assistant Head and Interim Head of the Upper School. Her first career was as a science writer at the National Institutes of Health. ILIR has brought Bari new opportunities to share her love of learning and to spend time with new friends and colleagues, and she is delighted to serve as a member of the Board. Bari earned a BA from George Washington University and an MA from Middlebury College’s Bread Loaf School of English.

After a career teaching high school English for 35 years in northern New Jersey, John and his wife Marie moved to Delray Beach ten years ago. John holds an undergraduate and two graduate degrees in English literature, taught all four grades and several ability levels of high school students, and was instrumental in developing his district's Writing Center program. More recently, he taught ILIR's "Joy of Poetry" in previous, in-person sessions. He and Marie pursue their interests in theater, music, dance and other arts in Palm Beach County, an area they find rich in cultural offerings. They also enjoy "just chilling" with their rescue Poovanese dog Teddy!