Written by Susan Ahlbrand, Tamara Belko, Sarah J. Donovan, Barbara Edler, Wendy Everard, Kim Johnson, Jennifer Guyor Jowett, Denise Krebs, Leilya A. Pitre, and Margaret Simon
Words That Mend: The Transformative Power of Writing Poetry for Teachers, Students, and Community Wellbeing is a book written by teachers for teachers. It offers poetry as a powerful transformative agent to service teachers, their students, and community. The authors candidly share their personal stories of trauma, pain, and loss, as well as stories from the classrooms and community events. They emphasize that processing traumatic or tragic events through poetry writing has become a step toward recovery and rediscovering hope. Moreover, writing it in a community where they connect and support each other is even more helpful. This text recognizes the need for continuous healing for teachers who then will be able to support their students and communities. With this goal in mind, teacher-poets extend their invitation to foster spaces that allow including poetry in teaching and learning practices for academic achievements, for restoring emotional wellbeing of teachers, students, and their families, and for a centering of creative writing in ELA. The book includes practical ways for teachers to engage in poetry writing for self, students, and community by providing prompts, instructions, and a space to share their poems.
About the Author :
Sarah J. Donovan is a former junior high English language arts teacher of fifteen years and an Associate Professor of Secondary English Education at Oklahoma State University. She is the author of the young adult novel in verse, Alone Together. Sarah has edited three other collections of poetry including Rhyme & Rhythm: Poems for Student Athletes, Teacher-Poets Writing to Bridge the Distance, and 90 Ways of Community, and one anthology of young adult literature, Just YA: Short Poems, Fiction, & Essays for Grades -12.
Review :
"In our anxious, fractured, post-pandemic world, the book Words That Mend offers pathways to hope and healing through poetry. Broken into eighteen dynamic chapters presented by teacher poets, each chapter offers a practical entry into poetry as a healing force. By opening their hearts and sharing their own poetry, each teacher poet reinforces the gossamer threads of our humanity. From self, to student, to the wider community, Words That Mend offers the possibility of kinship and connection that has the power to transform the world."
Ann Burg, poet and author of Force of Nature, Flooded, Unbound, Serafina's Promise, and All the Broken Pieces
"Words that Mend offers important insight into specific methods and practices educators can employ to bring poetry into their communities, their classrooms, and their own lives. The educators here share their own experiences with writing poetry as a form of much-needed healing in a difficult world. This hands-on book will get not only students writing and appreciating poetry, but will instill a love of poetry in the adults guiding them as well."
Kip Wilson, award-winning author of White Rose
"As I read through Words That Mend-a book about writing poetry in community like no other in its purpose and scope--the 2024 election season was heating up. True to how that season has recently been unfolding, words were launched as weapons meant to wound and only wound. This book arrived as a salve, covering me whole cloth in poetry. Written by teachers for teachers, with exemplar poems from teachers and students, this collection will help us heal while we create that which can sustain us for years to come."
Crag Hill, poet and Oklahoma Writing Project Site Director
