This July 10-14, the Poetry Foundation will be hosting a Summer Poetry Teachers Institute at the University of Miami in Coral Gables, FL. The five-day event will include seminars and workshops with some of today’s most compelling poets. Also, participants will study and discuss poetry with renowned poetry practitioners and expert teachers to develop lesson plans to bring back to their classrooms. Tuition will be paid by the Poetry Foundation and is free for participants.

The Institute encourages conversations among teachers about past successes, challenges, and insights in bringing poetry to students in their various communities. It offers participants a fresh, energizing approach to reading poems, invaluable materials for teaching, and new ways to invigorate their instructional habits and practices. The central idea is that the experience of the poem should precede analysis.

We invite teachers across K-12 grade levels and community college instructors to apply. The Institute seeks a range of participants: new and experienced teachers, those who enjoy teaching poetry, and those who have shied away from it. If you want to use poetry in your classroom, you're invited to apply using the Google Form below.

We believe that poetry is broad and inclusive; there is a place for everyone in poetry. And yet poetry is mysterious and open, so teaching poetry is uncertain and no one has the answers. A poem can be something you can carry with you and experience again and again in different ways. We believe teachers can instill a passion for poetry as they find multiple entry points for different students.

The Summer Poetry Teachers Institute is co-presented by the Poetry Foundation and O, Miami with funding from the Knight Foundation.

Q: How much does the Institute cost?
A: There is no cost to attend. Attendees are responsible for their transportation.

Q: What times does the Institute run?
A: The week of July 10, the hours will be Monday-Wednesday 8:30-4:30, Thursday 9:30-3:30 (with optional 5-7pm reading), Friday 8:30-12:30.

Q: Where will the Institute take place?
A: The Institute will be held on the University of Miami campus.

Q: Do you offer parking?
A: We will be offering day parking at a University parking garage.

Q: Will a stipend be provided to attendees?
A: Unfortunately we cannot provide a stipend, but tuition is free and attendees will receive a selection of free poetry books.

Q: I don’t know much about poetry. Can I participate?
A: Our aim is to make all teachers more comfortable with teaching poetry, so if you want to use poetry in the classroom, we definitely encourage you to apply.

Q: As an elementary teacher, will I be in the same seminars and workshops as community college instructors?    
A: Every level (elementary, middle, high and community college) will have level-specific programming as well as some whole group seminars. 

Q: How many participants will there be?
A: There will be roughly 135 teachers attending. We will meet in both small and medium sized groups, ranging from 15 people in breakout sessions and up to 50 people for workshops and/or seminars.

Q: I've submitted my application. When do I hear back?
A: Applicants will be notified in late April, early May.

Please fill out all fields. If you have questions, please email Justine Haka at jhaka@poetryfoundation.org.