Pat on the Backs

  
  Yes, I will email you some of the students' poems. They'd love to be published. I told Nate (the student who raised his hand and said he didn't like poetry) that you LOVED his poem about football. I told him to give himself credit for being poetic. I think you really made an impact on him, Elizabeth. He was eating up poetry in class on Friday! :) See? You never know who you're going to influence, eh? I love it.
- J. Muller / Hamden Middle School  		 
  Elizabeth, Wow! The workshops were great! Watching you the past 2 days is like taking a Master class in poetry writing. You are an amazing teacher. Yesterday after the assembly many teachers complimented me on the outcome of the event. They were very enthusiastic -( which is highly unusual!) THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR TIME AND EFFORT.
- J. Rosenblatt / Madison Middle School		  
  Thank you so much.  I have to share with you.  I worked with the girls yesterday, and I did what you suggested, and it was a huge success.  I can't thank you enough for responding to my request for  help.   Your assistance and workshops worked phenomenally well with the girls.  They wanted me to thank you personally.  The girls found your poetry to be inspiring and very moving.  Every time we make a connection with one of these girls I think we get  a little closer to letting them know that someone cares, and that even though they made mistakes they still matter, they are worth something.  It is a very powerful feeling (not in an exploitative way) when you begin to break down some of their walls.  You feel like some of the weight they've been carrying around has lightened.   
 
Dear Elizabeth, I was so impressed with your speaking. This experience with poetry was so profound that a new beginning in my life has begun. You may think that it's crazy but very true!  Thank you so very much for allowing yourself to be an instrument to enhance others and hopefully grow to do the same.
- J. Lucas / Florida Literacy Coalition
  
  Poetry and the arts has had a large impact on my life... in fact i think it is one of the things that saved me. You made a big difference to me as far as inspiration and motivation goes. I know that i only knew you for a short period of time, but i just wanted to let you know that it made all the difference. You made me want to push forward with my writing and arts which i am still doing in college and will be moving to New York soon.  You have made such a difference in so many young peoples lives. It amazes me. I have a deep respect for you and I hope that when i am older i can also encourage and empower youth the way that you do through art. Thank you for being a role model.
- Young poet		  
 

You'll be glad to know that Heather, a young teacher at my school and FCTE Exhibitor Chair, attended both of your Friday sessions. She used your techniques for a class RED poem today with her low-level block class and had enormous success. She shared with our professional learning community this afternoon and now everyone plans a similar event in classes. Heather followed with individual emotion poems which the kids are now working on. Success is sweet - you're a terrific teacher!
G. White / Fernandina Beach Middle School FL

  
  It was Magic. Any time we can provide the opportunity for young people to step out--whether they trip or soar--it's magic. We changed several people's lives, lit up several more, caused some controversy, and showed the folks what they can become if they want. Let's do this next year. You, Elizabeth, are a rare person and I'm glad to have met and worked with you.
- D. Spaeth / Woodstock Academy CT		  
 

Back to Elizabeth