Testimonials & Current Workshops
“Ben is very engaging and gains student attention immediately with his presentation skills and down-to-Earth demeanor. His poetry is relatable, and while also accessible to a variety of ages and learning abilities, he also writes with a keen awareness of performance and how to engage an audience with language. His prose poems and flash fiction are equally interesting and well-written, making his variety
– Gary Huber, English Department, Williamsville East Senior High School
of texts excellent models of multiple genres for burgeoning writers. Ben is also easy to work with because he’s already been doing this for so long both in classrooms as well as at open mics and professional poetry readings. He knows how to adjust to any room, and I found that arranging 12 workshops on two different days, in addition to our annual Fall Poetry Reading at Williamsville East, was a smooth process. Ben understands how to convey both writing and performance skills to students in an immediate way, making for better poems and better performances.”
“Ben presented a workshop for my 8th grade class and was phenomenal. My students were instantly engaged by his enthusiasm for poetry. They were tasked to write their own poems and did so with excitement and passion. Ben pulled my students into a creative writing journey in which they thrived as writers.”
– Lori Granchelli Panaro, St. Amelia School
From Administration to Students after our Workshops
“You completed your spoken word with confidence, emotion, and courage and it was inspiring to all that saw you. You should be so proud of your work. I encourage you to keep writing poetry and practicing and performing it. You have a gift you should continue to share with others!”
- Assistant Principal Courtney Charleson-Smith
Current Workshops
These completed workshops have been tested in dozens of classrooms. Custom workshops available upon request.
In this workshop, students will learn to define and identify the difference between spoken word and traditional poetry. They will learn the literary elements used in each. By the end of the workshop, students will be able to complete (or start) the first draft of a spoken word poem. Workshop typically ends in an open mic to allow students to practice performance tools.
In this workshop, students will gain perspective on conflict and plot to jump start a first draft of a work of fiction. Students will learn the difference between plot and conflict and what stops a story when one is missing. Students should leave with the beginning of a flash fiction story started at this workshop.
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