TEACHER TESTIMONIALS
Proven to Be a Self-esteem Booster
" This contest is an excellent tool for motivation and stimulates an appreciation for poetry. It has proven to be a self-esteem booster for my students and stirs a sense of energy I have found hard to generate from regular instruction in the classroom. My students have found a purpose for writing, and I have you to thank for creating such an opportunity. "
---- Kimberly J. WhiteSense of Pride for Students
" I'm writing you to say how happy I was to receive your congratulatory letter in January. We were quite pleased to learn that many of our student's poems were chosen for publication in your publication. Thirteen of my students were selected for inclusion in your publication last year. It was very uplifting to witness the sense of pride each student displayed. I received my copy of the latest publication in July---and totally loved it. I shared it with others and proudly pointed out our 'SCHOOL OF DISTINCTION' status. I shared our success within my district and discussed your contest with other teachers on my campus. The results were phenomenal!!! This year we will have over 45 poems included in your collection. Our school conducted a Writer's Fair in February and I included a section of student poetry. I also displayed a flyer documenting our success in your publication. I predict even more teachers will submit entries. "
---- Rick SpencerEncourages Students to Perfect Writing
" My students are excited that you are sponsoring this competition to honor young poets from the state of Texas. You have helped me encourage them to perfect their writing and make it worthy of publication. "
---- Cynthia YoungGives a Feeling of Success
" Thank you for conducting this contest. Knowing that their poems will be published has given these students a feeling of success. Since they are all Title I reading students who have difficulty with reading and writing anyway, your recognition of their literary talents has been especially meaningful to them. "
---- Margaret Cheasebro -CounselorPoetry Is an Outlet for Feelings
" I wish you could see the poems my students have written about what happened at Columbine. We had many connections with the school, so students were very impacted by the tragedy. Poetry is such a blessing as an outlet for our innermost feelings! "
---- Kathleen F. EsmiolA Wonderful Way to Start the Year
" I would like to say thank you for your wonderful contest. I can't tell you how excited this year's students were to submit their work. When we presented our poems at our Author's Tea, the parents were very pleased. Presenting your poem and then having it published, is a wonderful way to start the school year. "
---- Jacolyn KrauseA Valuable Gift to Students
" Thank you for sponsoring the Texas Young Poets' Contest. Many of my students, while being hesitant about their abilities as poets, were willing to take the risk to enter the competition. Consequently, I have enclosed their submissions. Regardless of the outcome of this contest, the sense of possibility and anticipation it has created is a valuable gift to our students. "
---- Trumanell MaplesVehicle to Showcase Students' Work
" Thank you for offering the contest/anthology for young writers. In this world of video games, virtual reality, and other technological hooplah, it is nice to have a group such as you who still value the written word! So many high school students love to write poetry and I think it is wonderful to provide a vehicle through which to showcase their work. "
---- Anne ByrdYou Provide Hope
" Enclosed are two poems by former students of mine who attended a school for emotionally disturbed and learning disabled students. You cannot imagine the struggles these students face. Their worlds are full of anguish and disappointment. The simple hope provided by entering your contest is extremely important to them. "
---- Sharon Burtner JacksonYou Make Me Look Forward to Teaching Poetry
" I can honestly say that you make me look forward to teaching poetry to my students in the fall because I know we are sending them on to your contest. Also, I send my poems to you and I show my students how important it is that I am pushing myself to newer limits through the action. We all love the day we receive the books in the mail and see the names of the poems in black and white. My principal Mr. Kempton, values poetry a lot and has been reading our published poems over the announcements to share pride with the whole school!!! "
---- Julie Leedy
We Are Social
