A Teachers Institute attendee laughing in the audience.
Program

Summer Poetry Teachers Institute

The Poetry Foundation will not host a Summer Poetry Teachers Institute in 2025. We will return in 2026. Please subscribe to our Educators newsletter and follow the Poetry Foundation on LinkedIn for updates.

The Summer Poetry Teachers Institute is a free professional development opportunity for educators who want to incorporate more poetry in their teaching practice. Participants connect with peers and renowned practitioners in seminars, hands-on workshops, and small break-out sessions. They leave the 4.5-day experience with poetry lessons/unit plans to bring back to their classrooms and professional development credits from the Illinois State Board of Education. Since its inception in 2015, hundreds of K-12 and community college educators have formed lasting communities of poetry ambassadors who are expanding poetry education for young people in the United States and beyond. 

quoteRight
Thank you, thank you. ‘Poetry camp’ was my most cherished educational opportunity/experience in 26 years of
teaching.
quoteLeft
— 2023 Participant

Eligibility

  • K-12 teachers, school librarians and administrators, and community college instructors
  • New and experienced educators, including those who enjoy teaching poetry and those who have struggled with it
  • Previous attendees are welcome to apply again
  • Registrants must be able to commit to participating in every session offered in their tier
  • Schedules and tiers are made available during registration

Additional Details

  • Participants receive 30 hours of professional development credits from the Illinois State Board of Education
  • We accept 135 participants each Institute
  • Applicants are notified of acceptance in late April or early May
  • The Institute takes place over 4.5 days (Monday-Friday) in July
  • Past locations have included Miami and Chicago