On October 24-26, 2025, we will be holding a Teachers Institute on Community Publishing & Poetic Belonging at the University of Arizona Poetry Center, in partnership with the Poetry Foundation. This free, three-day gathering is designed for classroom teachers, community educators, and librarians who work with middle and high school students. Through workshops, seminars, and readings, the institute will explore how poetry and creative writing can foster deeper community connections and public engagement. 

Applications for teachers, librarians, and community educator who wish to attend the institute will open May 20, 2025.

Right now, we are accepting workshop proposals—due on May 30, 2025. 
 

Here's what you need to if you're interested in submitting a proposal:

• We're looking for experienced educators and teaching artists to present on strategies for sharing poetry and creative writing that originated in the classroom with a wider audience—and for using these forms to deepen affinity and understanding among diverse students, schools, and communities.
• We will prioritize submissions from educators who have tried and tested these ideas in a classroom, library, or community setting, but will consider all proposals. 
• Proposals are open to both community members and University of Arizona affiliates. Priority will be given to presenters based in Arizona.  
• We will accept up to ten workshop proposals.
• Workshops should be designed for an audience of middle and high school educators. 
• Selected presenters will receive an all-inclusive honorarium of $1,250.
• The institute will welcome approximately 50 teachers, librarians, and community educators. 

Example workshop topics: 
Zine-making, poetry murals, audio poetry, bringing the archives to life through creative writing, documentary poetry, creative writing and social change, exhibiting poetry in community spaces, poetry placemaking, poetry and belong

To learn how to submit your workshop proposal, visit: https://poetry.arizona.edu/education/k-12-youth/2025-teachers-institute

If you have any questions, please reach out to Eva Sierra, UA Poetry Center Education and Outreach Assistant, at emsierra@arizona.edu.