Poetry-In-The-Schools

The Dodge Poetry Program was begun in 1987, with a primary emphasis on helping teachers bring poetry to high school students. The Program has increasingly focused its attention on how to help teachers deepen their own experience of poetry, whether or not they have a professional interest in writing or literature. For this reason, Dodge Poetry Program activities have always been open to teachers across the curriculum.

Clearing the Spring, Tending the Fountain, a series of six weekly 2 ΒΌ hour poetry exploration groups, led by Dodge Poets at sites throughout New Jersey, forms the core of the Dodge Poetry Program’s work with teachers. For more detailed information, visit Opportunities for Teachers.

Throughout the school year, the Dodge Poetry Program sends Dodge Poets into New Jersey high schools to meet with students and their teachers.

There have been over 500 one-day Poet Visits since 1986.

In 1996, Poet Visits began to evolve into Mini-Festivals (modeled after the biennial Dodge Poetry Festival) at nearly a dozen host high schools spread out across New Jersey.

Since 1991, the Poetry Program has sponsored the New Jersey High School Poetry Contest.