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Kathleen/Host - Teachers.Net welcomes teacher turned poet, Taylor Mali! For the better part of 10 years, Taylor Mali taught during the day, wrote poetry at night, and competed in poetry slams on the weekends. This formula produced two spoken word CDs, several books, and three national slam poetry championships. Not to mention one professional performance poet.
Taylor Mali - Taylor Mali has entered the building.
Kathleen/Host - Hi Taylor!
Taylor Mali - Hello!
Kathleen/Host - Thanks for agreeing to chat for an hour tonight.
Taylor Mali - My pleasure. Anything in the service of teaching.
Kathleen/Host - We're going to make this very informal. I have questions. If others log on with questions, they can post and you will just grab the ones you want to address. Okay?
Taylor Mali - Shoot.
Kathleen/Host - Taylor, when you were growing up, who was your favorite poet? Who is your favorite poet now?
Taylor Mali - My father used to perform rhyming toasts. So I guess I would have to say him. And Dr. Seuss of course. Now . . .
Taylor Mali - Billy Collins, current U.S. Poet Laureate is my favorite.
Kathleen/Host - Taylor, what is a poetry slam? Are there separate poetry slams for different age groups?
craftsjunkie - Taylor, do you have any authors you feel influenced your work, other than poets?
Taylor Mali - A poetry slam is a competitive poetry reading judged by five randomly selected members of the audience who may or may not know anything about poetry but they know what they like and what they think is boring and they score accordingly.
craftsjunkie - How often do you compete?
Taylor Mali - There are not different slams for different ages. I've seen slammers at the national championships everywhere from 15 to 70
Taylor Mali - Marc Smith invented the poetry slam. He influenced me quite a bit.
Kathleen/Host - According to Michele Forman, National Teacher of the year (2001): "Taylor Mali speaks of the world of the teacher with power and grace. His work is filled with the energy, joy, pathos and humor of everyday life in the classroom. Strong and compassionate, his voice is our voice. He's been there."
Taylor Mali - I compete once a week at the venue that I help run in NYC.
Kathleen/Host - Taylor, what grade/age did you teach?
Taylor Mali - But the national championship is once a year in August. Just got back on Sunday.
craftsjunkie - How did you do ?
Taylor Mali - I taught 6th grade math and history, but my degree is in English. I taught 11th grade English, too.
wizzlewolf - Taylor, do you think you will ever go back to teaching?
Taylor Mali - My team won!
Kathleen/Host - I'll hold my questions for now, so other chatters may post theirs.
craftsjunkie - Did you prefer middle school or high school?
Kathleen/Host - CONGRATS!
craftsjunkie - Congratulations!!
Mama B - Give us an example of your type of poetry, please
Taylor Mali - Since I'm a spoken word poet (and a slow typist) this would be a horrible place for you to get a sense of my work. Go to http://taylormali.com or Google me and you'll get to see some.
Mama B - Thanks. I will visit your site.
Kathleen/Host - Here's one for you to check out after the chat: Objection overruled, or You can always go to law school if things don't work out by Taylor Mali is posted at http://teachers.net/gazette/AUG02/mali.html
craftsjunkie - I first "found you" at http://poetcd.com!
Taylor Mali - I have to say that I preferred Middle School, and not just because it was harder. I felt that was closer to the front lines of teaching. Where I could do the most good.
Kathleen/Host - Do you think you'll ever return to teaching?
craftsjunkie - I feel that way in elementary school
Taylor Mali - Poetcd.com has sold a lot of my stuff for me and I am grateful to them.
Taylor Mali - I LONG to return to teaching! I can't wait! But how many people can say that they are living their DREAM?
Kathleen/Host - It's a good thing there are people who feel that way about each level.
craftsjunkie - I bought both of your CDs there
Taylor Mali - I am a professional POET, for God's sake! I gotta do this while I can.
Kathleen/Host - Taylor, any recommendations for getting kids interested in reading and writing poetry?
craftsjunkie - Did you actually dream of performing someday, or did you sort of fall into that avenue of poetry?
Paulie - Why do you think you can't write your poetry and be a teacher or why do you think you have to do it now -- that you can't do it later?????
Taylor Mali - Sneak it in through performance. Let them indulge their love of the spotlight, but only in the service of the written word.
Paulie - There have been some very old poets that are excellent . . .
Taylor Mali - I make my living right now travelling to colleges and universities and giving readings. During the month of October, I will sleep at home four days. I can't teach and do that.
craftsjunkie - I'm with Taylor-live the dream while you can!
kitty - I just read your poem, What do I make? It made me cry....I loved it and sent it to several fellow teachers. Thank you , thank you.
Paulie - I mean what does age have to do with your poetry not getting written?
Kathleen/Host - Paulie wants you in the classroom NOW!
Taylor Mali - I didn't say I'll stop writing when I go back to teaching. I just can't travel as much.
Paulie - Well, in a way you are teaching then
kitty - I'm glad you are writing now. The profession needs someone to speak like you do...
Taylor Mali - That's what people tell me and it alleviates the feelings of guilt I have for leaving the classroom. I have traded classrooms.
Kathleen/Host - For craftsjunkie - Did you actually dream of performing someday, or did you sort of fall into that avenue of poetry?
Paulie - Well, I just don't think that you should limit yourself if you like teaching too -- making the college rounds is teaching with a BIG classroom!
Taylor Mali - Last month I read for the 50 Teachers of the Year. I LOVE reading for teachers. We need to be reminded why we do what we do sometimes. Like every day.
wizzlewolf - I understand the reasoning behind the choice of POET or TEACHER completely. I am an artist and a teacher. There was a time when I was just an artist and it was a wonderful time to immerse myself in my "art world". However, I have to pay my bills now, so I do both.
Taylor Mali - I went to drama school, so I always had performing in my sights.
EMA - Do you set time aside to create...or wait until the "spirit" moves you...?
Kathleen/Host - Sometimes you can have a greater influence upon children by reaching their teachers.
Taylor Mali - In one sense, teachers and poets are exactly the same:
craftsjunkie - wizz-I know what you mean-I'm a writer/teacher and it is really hard to find the time to write
Taylor Mali - Horace said 2000 years ago that the task of the poet was to instruct and to entertain. Isn't that what we all do?
kitty - Who do we contact to have you come to our city to perform?
Kathleen/Host - Taylor, EMA's question is a good one, is it hard work to create the poems, or do they just pop into your head?
Kathleen/Host - EMA said it better, though
Taylor Mali - If you want me to come perform at your school, call Brett Scott at Global Talent. His number is 212-921-8500.
Paulie - Good way to put it TaylorMali!
Taylor Mali - I WISH I could get into a habit of writing every day at the same time (say, right after running five miles and reading the NYT), but I can't. I write when the spirit punches me.
Kathleen/Host - Do you set time aside to create...or wait until the "spirit" moves you...?
Kathleen/Host - punches you? LOL, that sounds painful
Taylor Mali - Poetry is pain, baby.
Kathleen/Host - Taylor, do you perform only your poetry when you appear, and do you have pieces for various age levels?
Taylor Mali - I believe that it is the responsibility of the poet in the 21st century to have a half-hour set of poetry ready for ANY audience presented to you . . .
EMA - Which came first for you...performance or published works?
Taylor Mali - thus I can go from the barroom to the elementary classroom and win an equal number of poetry converts.
craftsjunkie - Taylor, I teach a 3-week writing institute to teachers during the summer. Am I going to run into a copyright problem if I play a couple of your poems for them?
Taylor Mali - EMA, poetry's roots are BARDIC, not LITERARY, if that is your question. But I don't think that's what you meant. For me, I guess I started writing poetry first before I had an idea that I would NO, that's not true, because of my father's influence, performance and writing have always been linked.
craftsjunkie - I like the phrase "poetry converts"- I even got my "a-literate" husband to listen to you!
Taylor Mali - CRAFTSJUNKIE, thanks for asking, but no problem. Once my poetry is out there, I want it used like money: to get things for people.
craftsjunkie - THANKS!
Kathleen/Host - Isn't modern poetry more likely to make converts?
Taylor Mali - Well, yes. But I think that's always been the case. Start people out with a contemporary voice that speaks to their times, then let then discover stuff that has lasted.
Kathleen/Host - True, contemporary is the key...
Taylor Mali - Beethoven ONLY listened to his contemps
Kathleen/Host - Taylor, are you familiar with David Yanofsky's PBS "Poetic License" documentary?
Taylor Mali - No, do tell.
Kathleen/Host - An article about David Yanofsky's documentary for PBS, "Poetic License" and the teen poetry movement. http://teachers.net/gazette/MAY01/yanofsky.html
Kathleen/Host - The film captures the lives of teenage poets whose spoken word performances allow them to candidly express what it's like growing up in America today. More about Yanofsky's film: http://www.poeticlicense.org
Kathleen/Host - Dave is in San Francisco, you should meet...
Taylor Mali - I volunteer for and organization called Youth Speaks: I have seen poetry save kids.
EMA - Thank you for the time...I've enjoyed. Langston Hughes is my favorite poet...but I love Keats and Tennyson..and I promise I will read your work, Taylor
Kathleen/Host - Taylor, feel free to paste in any urls you'd like to share for the chatters and for the transcript.
craftsjunkie - Tell us more about Youth Speaks
Taylor Mali - thanks for stopping by.
Taylor Mali - Youth Speaks is a organization that sponsors free after school poetry writing workshops for high school students. They have cajoled all of my friends into teaching weekly workshops!
9pE Poet Taylor Mali - Taylor, are you based in NYC?
craftsjunkie - Is it a National group, or just in NY
Kathleen/Host - Poetic License, for youth poetry resources, curriculum materials, etc.: http://www.itvs.org/poeticlicense/teachers.html
Taylor Mali - Youth Speaks is in SF and NYC (where I was born and raised and still reside).
Taylor Mali - Check out www.poetryslam.com for more info on slams.
Kathleen - here's a site about Youth Speaks http://www.twc.org/youthspeaksny/
Taylor Mali - You're good.
Kathleen - Taylor, how are kids receiving the poetry, do you hear from them after a performance?
Taylor Mali - Yes. Kids come up to me and say, "I never realized poetry could be like that. You make me want to write a poem." I love hearing that one.
Kathleen - Wow, talk about gratification! Taylor, what poetry should teachers be introducing to modern kids, say at middle school level?
Taylor Mali - I love winning them over. Because they get to school and think, "Poet? We're going to hear a poet?! Aw jeez."
craftsjunkie - Have you ever had any kids send you their work?
Taylor Mali - Check out Billy Collins's Poetry 180 project. Kathleen, could you find the url? He has 180 poems on the site that he chose to be read out loud. His dream is that all over America, kids start their day by hearing one of these poems read out loud.
Taylor Mali - Kids send me their work every day. I respond if I can.
craftsjunkie - I love Billy Collins!
Kathleen - Poetry links, http://www.ripon.edu/Faculty/GrahamD/PoLinks.html
Paulie - I said before . . . I don't think all kids have that attitude about poetry -- not with Shel Silverstein etc around for awhile now
Taylor Mali - Perhaps you're right. But there are teachers who poo-poo Silverstein and make kids think it's not real poetry.
Kathleen - Billy Collins site: http://www.loc.gov/poetry/180/
craftsjunkie - We read poetry daily in my classroom-the kids seem to enjoy it
Taylor Mali - Excellent.
wizzlewolf - Paulie, that would depend on if the student has ever been exposed to ANY poetry. I know my students hardly read at all. They don't even have books in their homes.
Paulie - I like Silverstein -- always took a book of his with me when I subbed for those extra moments
craftsjunkie - I start with Shel Silverstein and Jack
Kathleen - Taylor, have you written articles for teachers on the topic of inspiring kids to appreciate and explore poetry?
Paulie - Pretlusky or whatever lol I know me too
craftsjunkie - Prelutsky, then move to others
Taylor Mali - I like Silverstein too, but when it comes time to chose poems for the public speaking contest, I want them to try something a little more substantial.
Kathleen - Repeating this excellent site FULL of links to poetry sites and resources: http://www.ripon.edu/Faculty/GrahamD/PoLinks.html
Taylor Mali - guess I'm a little like those poo-poo teachers.
Paulie - yes, but Silverstein gets them interested
Kathleen - Taylor, do ever do long term artist in residence programs?
Taylor Mali - I have not written articles on that subject. I'm actually more interested in winning respect and $ for teachers.
Paulie - good we need more $
craftsjunkie - I've judged poetry for 7th grade UIL several times-the kids chose some pretty sophisticated pieces
Taylor Mali - guy responsible for making an entire generation of college grads consider teaching before business school.
Paulie - I don't ever think teachers will get the respect we deserve as a whole
craftsjunkie - and more respect
Taylor Mali - I can't do long term residencies at this point; my schedule won't allow it.
Kathleen - Who is the guy responsible for making an entire generation of college grads consider teaching before business school? Or is that your aspiration?
Taylor Mali - I zip in, read, get paid and zip out! The novelty has not worn off yet.
Taylor Mali - That is my aspiration. I want to be that guy is what I meant to say.
Kathleen - Taylor, are you aware of any grants available to help teachers bring poets to their schools?
Taylor Mali - I am not aware.
Taylor Mali - Of such grants.
Kathleen - Other than your own, what book of poetry would you present to a new parent?
Paulie - I bet there are places that would let you use your grant money for that thou
Kathleen - The League of Canadian Poets. Students and teachers-find out "everything you ever wanted to know about poetry," talk with poets, read ezine on http://www.youngpoets.ca.
Kathleen - Sure, there are many grants for the arts in schools.
Taylor Mali - Did someone just have a baby? I just got a new book called If I Were A Polar Bear, by John Rives.
Kathleen - Grants for Arts orgs: http://artdeadline.com/grantapp.html
Paulie - I bet that is cute
Kathleen - No baby here, I was asking on behalf of others
Paulie - lol
Taylor Mali - It's a pop up book of poetry.
craftsjunkie - My sister is adopting a one year old
craftsjunkie - My 4 year old loves pop ups
wizzlewolf - Another grant resource may be your local or state arts council.
Taylor Mali - Where is everyone writing from right now? What time zone are y'all in?
craftsjunkie - central
Paulie - Pacific WA state
wizzlewolf - Eastern
Kathleen - Grants for the arts: http://arts.endow.gov/guide/
Taylor Mali - Gosh, I love the Internet.
craftsjunkie - Specifically, San Antonio, Texas
Kathleen - I'm in CT
wizzlewolf - Florida
Kathleen - Isn't it great, the 'net?
Taylor Mali - San Antonio has an excellent slam series.
craftsjunkie - really? where?
Kathleen - Yes, tell us about some of the best slams
Taylor Mali - I have no idea. Do a search for Amalia Ortiz. I think she runs it.
wizzlewolf - Gotta go, Thank you Taylor!
Taylor Mali - The best slam venues are the Green Mill in Chicago, The Starry Plough in Berkeley, and AS220 in Providence.
craftsjunkie - Taylor, Have you ever been to San Antonio?
Paulie - glad to know it doesn't just happen to me (sorry thou)
Taylor Mali - Who has to teach tomorrow?
craftsjunkie - ME
Kathleen - Taylor, anything you were hoping we'd ask, but haven't?
craftsjunkie - 4th grade
Kathleen - Not I!
Paulie - has to or gets to?
Taylor Mali - Shouldn't you be sleeping instead of chatting with NYC poet?
craftsjunkie - GETS to
Kathleen - Taylor, the dedication of teachers is amazing (as you know)
Kathleen - So, what's next on your schedule, Taylor?
craftsjunkie - Yes, but even worse, my son should be in bed instead of wondering around the living room pestering the dog
Taylor Mali - No, I just want to say: Bless you all for the difficult and noble path you follow.
Taylor Mali - Tomorrow night is my book release party. Next week I'm at Sarah Lawrence.
Taylor Mali - Quiet until October. Crazy October.
Barb/2/NE - Taylor, this summer, I worked with 7 2nd graders. We read many, many poems and had a great time. Second graders love funny, silly poems
Kathleen - Academy of American Poets http://www.poets.org/
Kathleen - Please post about your book
Taylor Mali - Then I must be part second grader!
Barb/2/NE - Kathleen, I found tons of wonderful poems there!
Kathleen - Poets & Writers Online Homepage http://www.pw.org/
Taylor Mali - I like poems about dogs, and poop, and dog poop! Can I say that here?
Barb/2/NE - Taylor, they LOVED the poem about the purple cow
Kathleen - There's even a site with football poetry: www.footballpoets.org
Taylor Mali - My book is called What Learning Leaves, published by Hanover Press and available on Amazon.
craftsjunkie - Have you seen the book "Poetry After Lunch" ? there is a poem in it about Poop, but I can't think of the title or author right now.
craftsjunkie - There's also a couple of poems about dogs!
Taylor Mali - 74 pages. That's a lot of poetry.
Kathleen - Well, the hour flew...Taylor, thanks again for taking time to rub elbows with some teacher colleagues.
Kathleen - That's a book I'll be sure to pick up.
Taylor Mali - It was my pleasure and honor. Good luck everyone.
craftsjunkie - Thanks Taylor-I've enjoyed the hour!
Barb/2/NE - Thanks Taylor! Night!
Kathleen - Thanks, everyone! Watch for the transcript in http://teachers.net/archive . Good night!
