Spreading the word about Poetry Out Loud

From Lynne Johnson, associate director of education:

Poetry Out Loud recruitment took a new turn by way of a Poetry Out Loud Informational Get-Together, hosted by the Huntington's Education Department (MA State Coordinators for Poetry Out Loud) on Tuesday, October 5th. Twelve high school teachers, interested in learning more about POL came to the Huntington's conference room to meet with teachers from other schools and the Huntington's education staff to hear how teachers have had success with instituting the competition into their schools.

Anne Ford from Burlington High School and Dave Londino from Malden High School shared their stories and inspired the new teachers to hop on board. Huntington education Staff showed a PowerPoint presentation to show teachers the basic nuts and bolts of running the competition. 2009-2010 State Champion, Wilmene Hercule powerfully recited the poem, "The Song of the Smoke" by W.E.B. DuBois, and talked about her experiences at the Nationals in Washington, D.C. Piped in on speakerphone, Jamele Adams, poet, shared one of his amazing poems, and spoke about what an substantial opportunity Poetry Out Loud is for kids of all ethnicities and socio-economic backgrounds, and how it bring kids together on common ground in such a magical way.

All in all, it was an inspirational meeting which motivated new schools to hop on board for this year.

Do you know a school that should participate in this year's Poetry Out Loud competition? Tell them to learn more at huntingtontheatre.org/pol.