About
Mary Kay Morrison is an educator who has taught at virtually every level of the educational spectrum, while facilitating keynote presentations and workshop sessions internationally for the past 30 years. Her work includes integrating the theory and neuroscience of humor research into practical applications for both education and business. An international speaker, Mary Kay frequently conducts seminars on humor, cognitive research, and leadership. She is the founder and director of Humor Quest and provides workshops, seminars, and conferences through her business. She was AATH president from 2015-17 and is founder and director of the international AATH Humor Academy Certified Humor Professional Program.
Her publications, Using Humor to Maximize Learning; Exploring Links between Positive Emotions and Education and Using Humor to Maximize Living are being used as texts for humor studies courses at several universities. Both are used for the groundbreaking international Humor Academy graduate program offered by AATH (Association of Applied and Therapeutic Humor). Her book: Legacy of Laughter: A Grandparent Guide and Playbook was released in 2021. Her 2024 book Is for everyone; Legacy of Laughter: The Playbook.
Featured Work
Legacy of Laughter: The Playbook
Confidently armed with a degree from Northern Illinois University in early childhood, I was eager to begin my first job as a kindergarten teacher. I was fascinated with the research on ow play was a critical factor in brain development. I enthusiastically integrated these brain-based play strategies in my curriculum. I was stunned to realize that as a teacher, I was expected to spend a considerable amount of time preparing for state and federal tests with paper and pencil activities. Play was not recognized as an important part of the learning process.
Cognitive research was relatively new at that time, and the school curriculum was based on long-established traditional programs. Strategies to incorporate play were viewed by many as an inconsequential part of the learning process.
As much as I appreciated my various career opportunities, my most valued experiences have been in my role as a parent and grandparent. It has enabled me to have a unique perspective on how grandparents can make a significant impact on the lives of their grandchildren. One of the most joyful aspects of my life has been to collaborate with my grandchildren on my book, Legacy of Laughter: A Grandparent Guide and Playbook.
