What does a poet teacher do differently than a classroom teacher?
Poet teachers bring a perspective to student writing that transcends the “nuts and bolts” of academic writing and focuses on the rewards of open, creative, non-linear thoughts, feelings, and expression. Their active interest and involvement in the greater world of poetry is conveyed to students through a depth of knowledge in the subject matter, a sense of excitement in the exploration of themes, and lesson plans that are always changing and evolving. As visiting teachers, they are able to engage students’ attention in the subject matter in a special way. They are able to take the time to read each student’s poem every week and to respond to it in writing, as well as to type up students’ poems as a form of classroom “publishing.” Finally, poet teachers are experienced in the verbal presentation of poetry and are able to involve the students as fellow artists willing to share their unique, and sometimes sensitive, thoughts and feelings.
