The Annual Poetry Institute

The Boston University Tenth Annual Summer Poetry Institute for Educators, July 16-20, 2012
The Boston University School of Education, in cooperation with former United States Poet Laureate Robert Pinsky, is accepting applications for its Eleventh Annual Poetry Institute for Educators, July 16-20, at the Boston University Charles River Campus.

Robert Pinsky, a renowned poet and translator, and professor of English and creative writing at Boston University, will co-direct and lead the institute, building on the principles of his Favorite Poem Project, which is committed to celebrating and documenting poetry’s place in American culture and improving its place in American classrooms.

Professional, award-winning poets will serve as the faculty for the institute. Previous years’ visiting poets include Mark Doty, David Ferry, Louise Glück, Gail Mazur, Heather McHugh, and Rosanna Warren.

The institute encourages a dialogue among teachers about past successes, difficulties, and insights they’ve had in bringing poetry to students in their various communities. Teachers work in groups throughout the week to develop lessons inspired by the institute’s presenters. The purpose of the institute is to demonstrate poetry’s power as a learning tool by offering participants an energizing approach to poems, invaluable materials for teaching, and refreshed skills to invigorate their instructional habits and practices.

Participants will be awarded 30 professional development points.  The tuition is $275. On-campus housing and/or parking are available.

We invite teachers and teacher/administrator teams across grade levels¾elementary, middle and high school¾to apply. The institute seeks a balance between experienced and less experienced teachers, between teachers who enjoy teaching poetry and those who’ve shied away from it. For more information, or to request an application, contact Professor Lee Indrisano, Co-director, Boston University School of Education, leeindri@bu.edu.

Learn more on the Poetry Institute webpage.

Undergraduate Students

Undergraduate students at the School of Education benefit from the community feel of a small school along with the resources of a large university. Our students are in the field in both urban and suburban schools as early as their first year at SED.

Graduate Students

Talented graduate students from around the world prepare to become teachers, counselors, administrators, and more in as little as one year at the School of Education. Our students engage in diverse aspects of education both in the classroom and the field.