Big Lessons in Little Pages

Yvonne Surrey’s path to becoming an author started in the fifth grade. She was bullied by some of her classmates. So, she decided to write about it in her Creative Writing class. The principal of her school, Mr. Segal, loved her story. He read it during the school assembly. He then started a school project for fifth graders, using Workshop to turn her story into a children's book. The book was called Names Are Neutral. Yvonne thought the word neutral was such a big word at the time. Mr. Segal had several copies of the book sent to neighboring schools. That was the beginning of Yvonne's passion for

writing. 

 

Since writing her first story, Yvonne received a Diploma in writing from the Long Ridge Writers Group. She has published three children's books and is currently working on her fourth children’s book.

 

Yvonne also ran a home-based business for 21 years. During those 21 years she provided training for small businesses and individuals in communication skills and computer training. She also taught certificate programs at two local colleges, Medgar Evers College/Adult and Continuing Education and Hostos Community College/Adult &

Continuing Education. She received a Making the Difference Award from Hostos Community College/Adult and Continuing Education for her contribution. 

 

While in business, Yvonne published a monthly blog and newsletter. She wrote a column on workplace solutions for the Brooklyn Daily Eagle newspaper. And she served on the Business Success Council for business startups at the Brooklyn Business Library where she also presented several seminars on time management and organizing skills.

With all her accomplishments, Yvonne’s crowning achievement was when she designed and developed a children's program on bullying and building self-esteem, which she taught at Hostos Community College/Children's Summer Program.