TEACHING
Natassja Schiel
Background
Natassja is a nonfiction writer and MFA candidate of the Creative Writing & Performing Arts Program at the University of California, Riverside (Graduating June 2018). She has taught creative nonfiction writing and composition at the college level and has volunteered for other educationally based programs at the community level.
Education
2015-Present University of California, Riverside Riverside, CA
Creative Writing & Writing for the Performing Arts
Chancellor’s Distinguished Fellow
Masters of Fine Arts, Creative Non-Fiction
Thesis — “Tumon Strip” Committee members:
Professor Emily Rapp Black (Chair), Professor Laila Lalami, and Professor Susan Straight
2011-2014 The New School New York, NY
Riggio Honors Fellow
Honors Graduate
Bachelor of Arts, English/Psychology
Teaching
Spring 2018 University of California, Riverside Riverside, CA
English 001C: Applied Intermediate Composition — The third class in the English Composition A, B, C series. This course addresses the function of writing in a range of contemporary situations, including that of the academy, from a critical and theoretical perspective.
Winter 2018 University of California, Riverside Riverside, CA
English 001B: Intermediate Composition — The second class in the English Composition A, B, C series. This course transitions from personal to public writing in a multicultural context. The focus is on argumentative and persuasive writing.
Fall 2017 University of California, Riverside Riverside, CA
English 001A: Beginning Composition — The first class in the English Composition A, B, C series. An introductory class that introduces students to the strategies of personal writing in a multicultural context.
Spring 2017 & Fall 2016 University of California, Riverside Riverside, CA
Creative Writing 57C: Intro to Creative Nonfiction — An introductory class exploring the basics of writing creative nonfiction through reading contemporary works of nonfiction by diverse writers, discussion of craft elements, student-led peer workshop, and revision exercises.
Winter 2017 University of California, Riverside Riverside, CA
Intro to Creative Writing 56 – An introduction to the craft of creative writing. Focuses on the elements of a number of genres, including poetry, fiction, nonfiction, journalism, drama, and the graphic novel.
Fellowships & Residencies
2018 MFA Graduate Fellowship UC Riverside
2017 McQuern Graduate Award for Nonfiction UC Riverside
2017 Tin House Winter Workshop Tin House
2017 Squaw Valley Writers Workshop Squaw Valley
2015 Chancellor’s Distinguished Fellow UC Riverside
2013 Riggio Honors Fellow The New School
Publications & Work
“Finding My Father.” Short Memoir, print only. Opossum Literary Magazine. November 10, 2017.
“My Body Is My Own.” Essay. The Millions. March 23, 2017.
“‘There Are No Rules for Coloring’: Chris Offutt on His Father.” Book Review. Los Angeles Review of Books. May 23, 2016.
“A Conversation with Carolina De Robertis on Immigration, Sexuality, and the True Origins of the Tango.” Interview. Los Angeles Review Books. April 20, 2016.
“Commodification, Objectification, and the Corporatization of Exotic Dance.” Review Essay. Los Angeles Review of Books. April 14, 2016.
“Riggio Forum: Marco Roth.” Event Profile. The American Vanguard Press. 2013.
“Riggio Forum: Sean Howe.” Event Profile. The American Vanguard Press. 2013.
“Poetry Profile: Mourning Poem by Robert Hayden.” Event Profile. The American Vanguard Press. 2013.
“A Girl Less Good.” Short Memoir, print only. 12th Street. Spring 2012.
“Tiny.” Poem, print only. 12th Street. Spring 2012.
Readings
“OPOSSUM in your Backyard.” Portland Lit Crawl. Portland, OR. November 2017.
“MFA Welcome Reading.” University of California, Riverside. Riverside, CA. October 2017.
“The University of California, Riverside 2nd Year Reading.” The Culver Center of the Arts. Riverside, CA. May 2017.
“The New School Riggio Honors Reading.” New York, NY. May 2013.
Experience
2016 - Present Graduate Student Instructor UC Riverside
2015 - 2017 Nonfiction Editor Santa Ana River Review