Class

poeTRYhealing

poeTRYhealing is a three-hour class led by an award-winning poet and scholar of trauma that will introduce students to a diverse group of poets who use poetry as a way to heal from individual and collective trauma. During the class meeting, we will read selections from Gloria Anzaldúa, Ellen Bass, Joy Harjo, Yusef Komunyakaa, Audre Lorde, Anne Sexton, and Ocean Vuong. Each poem will be read for the emotional healing power it presents, and specific elements of what makes a poem effective as a form of witness and recovery will be explored. An essential part of our gathering will be to give ample time during the class for students to respond to the poetry by writing journal entries or poems of their own based on carefully crafted writing prompts. All writing will be kept private to ensure a safe and nurturing environment for all. Everyone is welcome, and this will be a supportive, caring, and non-competitive experience where students -- from those just beginning their writing journeys to those with expertise in writing, teaching, publishing, or the mental health professions-- can explore the healing power of poetry.

Instructions for Accessing This Online Class

In order to access live class meetings, you must have the Zoom application downloaded to your computer. You will also need a WiFi/Internet connection throughout the duration of your scheduled meeting and a computer with audio and video capability. The information to join your Zoom classroom will be provided in your confirmation email upon registration. Please check spam folders if you do not see this email upon registration. For more information on how to use Zoom, please see our training manual here.

Some classes use a supplemental Google Classroom page. Should your teaching artist use Google Classroom, you will be invited to join the classroom via email at least 24 hours in advance of your class (check spam folders if you are not seeing this invitation). Please note that Google Classroom requires a Gmail address to access the Classroom. If you do not have a Gmail account, the email invitation will be sent to the email address we have on file and will prompt you to create a free account or enter an existing account to join the classroom. If we are unable to send an email invitation to your non-gmail account, you will be contacted by a staff member to provide a Gmail address. If you do not have a Gmail account, you can create a free account here. Should you have concerns about this, please contact a Loft staff member at [email protected] or 612-379-8999. For more information on how to use Google Classroom, please see our training manual here.