Solitary Genius

Solitary Genius is my recollection of this remarkable year. I met and fell in love with a group of children (all of whom were entering school for the first time) of undeniable intelligence who simply needed a different kind of educational support to be heard and to succeed. What they needed—and what I provided—was teaching from the heart. As these children blossomed, so did I. This is the story of helping a group of silent, solitary geniuses find their way into the larger world. As I did this, I also found myself.

Fresh out of college, with a degree in Speech Pathology, I landed my first real job. It was as a teacher to a special needs population of students. I was asked to participate in a revolutionary early intervention educational program for kids with severe communication problems. Little did I know that this extraordinary year would entirely transform me and my understanding of the world. What I learned is that each of us has our own way of communicating, our own way of reaching others. But we can only do this if we’re invited into a community of genuine love and listening. Solitary Genius is my recollection of this remarkable year. I met and fell in love with a group of children (all of whom were entering school for the first time) of undeniable intelligence who simply needed a different kind of educational support to be heard and to succeed. What they needed—and what I provided—was teaching from the heart. As these children blossomed, so did I. This is the story of helping a group of silent, solitary geniuses find their way into the larger world. As I did this, I also found myself.

Mo Marshall grew up in Morris Plains, New Jersey, the fourth of ten children. After graduating with a BA in Speech Pathology from Loyola College, she spent a year in Maryland teaching autistic and other communicatively-impaired children. That experience inspired her to write Solitary Genius. She then moved to New York and started working in the film industry, spending 8 years working off and on as a Casting Director. During that time, she also worked in antiques, interior design, real estate, and finance. She lives in Manhattan and is currently writing her next book, tentatively titled, The Donut Shop.