Hi Steve, I remember you sharing this story during my teacher training. It was such a treat to revisit it now! Thank you. Nick’s poem left me speechless - painful, sweet and precise. Hope you’re well, Jane L
Oh Jane, How lovely to hear from you! Would love to hear more about what you’re up to these days. My email is steveshann47@gmail.com if you feel like giving me your news. And are you tempted to join our book chat? Hope so!
There was, in those days, a big emphasis on the poetry written by the young. Books published, workshops organised. Is it the same these days (perhaps, being retired, I'm just out of the loop.
So interesting — I’ve never taught kids, so don’t have an idea of what that world is like.
But I must have been a school kid myself at around the same time you’re writing about, and I don’t remember anything like it even in my little hippie school.
We did publish our own anthology of kids’ poems at least one year that I remember, but I don’t remember _reading_ poems by kids. (The library had an unbearably painful book called “I Never Saw Another Butterfly” that had poems by kids, but that was a completely different context.)
I’ve never taught kids, but I’ve taught adults quite a bit, and I recognize a piece of masterful teaching when I see it described, and this one was, so well!
Totally love this story.
Thanks Mary. We all have these early formative stories, don't we!
Hi Steve, I remember you sharing this story during my teacher training. It was such a treat to revisit it now! Thank you. Nick’s poem left me speechless - painful, sweet and precise. Hope you’re well, Jane L
Oh Jane, How lovely to hear from you! Would love to hear more about what you’re up to these days. My email is steveshann47@gmail.com if you feel like giving me your news. And are you tempted to join our book chat? Hope so!
The poems you chose for the kids that day were pretty amazing!
There was, in those days, a big emphasis on the poetry written by the young. Books published, workshops organised. Is it the same these days (perhaps, being retired, I'm just out of the loop.
So interesting — I’ve never taught kids, so don’t have an idea of what that world is like.
But I must have been a school kid myself at around the same time you’re writing about, and I don’t remember anything like it even in my little hippie school.
We did publish our own anthology of kids’ poems at least one year that I remember, but I don’t remember _reading_ poems by kids. (The library had an unbearably painful book called “I Never Saw Another Butterfly” that had poems by kids, but that was a completely different context.)
And the whole scene was described beautifully.
Again thankyou. As a substacker yourself, you'll know how much comments like these are valued, and how encouraging they are.
I’ve never taught kids, but I’ve taught adults quite a bit, and I recognize a piece of masterful teaching when I see it described, and this one was, so well!
It felt like I was teaching by instinct rather than any deep understanding. But it was an important moment for me.
Thank you! A lovely account. Was so glad to have read this.
Many thanks Linnesby. I'm so glad you found and read it.
Thanks Steve, beautifully evoked
Thanks Therese. It was fun to write, and used to be the centrepiece of a lecture I'd give to preservice teachers. I always enjoyed telling it.
Great story Steve. Very moving.
Thanks Pip. Valued praise from an ace storyteller.