Poets-in-the Schools

Program Overview: How it works

While we are happy to adapt our Poets-in-the-Schools Program to meet the needs of client schools and agencies, there are basic procedures we follow that have proven to work well.

• We place poets in classrooms, where they work directly with students. The object is participatory learning: students writing, reading aloud and listening to others.
• Poets visit each class three times to ensure lasting impact.
• Poets communicate with teachers prior to working with classes in order to properly prepare for them.
• Teachers remain in the classroom with the poet to provide support and maintain class discipline.
• Poets-in-the-Schools typically work with language arts (English) classes, although we have worked in Science, Social Studies and Math classes with notable success.
• We are resourceful in customizing workshops to meet client needs. Please ask.

The Needs That the Program Addresses

Literacy is the No.1 problem in secondary education today. The majority of students in public schools are reading at least two grades below level. Without competence in reading, and writing, students are destined to be handicapped in school and throughout their lifetimes. Increased literacy competence, which this program fosters, has a positive impact upon learning across the curriculum.

Goal of Poets-in-the Schools Program

The goal of Poets-in-the-Schools program is to utilize poetry to engage and inspire students in grades 7-12 in writing, reading and active listening so that they...

• Actively participate in school
• Build essential literacy skills
• Develop self-confidence
• Experience success
• Stay in School

Funding for Poets-in-the Schools

The Poets-in-the-Schools program receives funding from a variety of sources: contracts with schools and agencies, grants and donations from individuals. The following is a partial list of contracts and grants that we have received.

• Buckaroo Ball
• Chamisa Foundation
• FHL Foundation
• Kiwanis Club of Santa Fe
• McCune Charitable Foundation
• National Endowment for the Arts
• New Mexico Arts
• New Mexico Children, Youth & Families Department
• Rotary Club Foundation
• Santa Fe Arts Commission
• Santa Fe Children, Youth & Families Department
• Santa Fe Community Foundation
• Sheila Fortune Foundation
• Stocker Foundation
• Thaw Charitable Trust
• Whited Foundation
• Witter Bynner Foundation for Poetry