Poetry In Action

To the Editor:

My friend, Ginger Humeston, recently told me about redemptive teaching, a concept that has been around for awhile, but I had never heard about it. Redemptive teaching is when an environment is established that allows children to feel comfortable about sharing their ideas.

I would have to say that one of the most remarkable aspects of the group of children who just completed five weeks of a YA Poetry Seminar is that they exemplified this idea. I so enjoyed watching them comment on another student’s work with comprehension and compassion. Their ideas gave me food for thought and the other participants not only heard what they said to each other, some of them would immediately start working on changing their poems based on the suggestions that were offered. We also had a lot of fun because the room would become charged with creative energy.

I would have to say that Emily Ashbolt, this year’s teen mentor, was responsible for the spontaneity of the group. I would turn to Emily if a student had trouble with the word “pickle,” and say, “Hey Emily, would mind writing a poem about pickles?” A minute later she had it done and read it to the other kids and we all laughed along with her. One night, Ginger Humeston came and did her Put a Poem in Your Pocket program. Everyone had a good time devising poems based on the different pockets featured on Ginger’s skirt. Emily wrote one about a surfing dog that should be turned into a children’s book. Her enthusiasm inspired the other kids to expand their ideas and the results were remarkable.

I also want to thank Donna Renzuli. Donna has been my assistant for years and always does a wonderful job. This year she had a fall in Florida, but as soon as she returned to Newtown, she still managed to come to the sessions and take some incredible photographs of everyone in the class that were attached to the certificates on the last night.

None of this would be possible without Margaret Brown, the YA librarian, who made each session work because she would make sure everything was set up even when we moved to the Story Hour Room in the Children’s Department for two nights. Margaret is always calm, smiling, and supportive — a consummate professional and friend.

So a heartfelt thanks to the 11 children who participated in the program, Emily who added joy and creativity, Donna who offered support, and Margaret who made it happen. It was a redemptive experience for all of us.

Sincerely,

Liz Arneth

4 Settlers Lane, Sandy Hook                                November 17, 2010