What People Say
What Educators Say About Pseads
“Pseads knows how to get even the most jaded students and educators on board and restore a love of learning and passion. This is evident in increased retention rates and levels of engagement their work engenders and the high-quality work students generate. They are educational leaders, and I look forward to seeing them scale up their elegant, deeply effective approach to education.”
— University Professor
“What frames Pseads programs as special and unique is the universal theme—ways of looking at life and feeling life into its smallest components and from the depths to the galaxies. Every cell, every atom, every breath is part of the larger whole. The way this was presented is innovative, affirming, joyful, digs deep, and encourages students to feel, hear, touch, and trust that every part of the world is connected at some level.”
— 8th Grade English Teacher
“I value Hope on the Rize more than any other program in our school district because of the way that it empowers students and has them embrace that the way that they see the world is unique and valuable and needs to be heard.”
— 7th Grade English Teacher
“Students who never wanted to write anything, no matter what the form - fiction, nonfiction - they were so free in poetry. It was like they were doing a wild dance in their soul.”
— 6th Grade Teacher
“Pseads programs touch a broad spectrum of student lives, and with a broad brush that gives meaningful opportunities for everyone in the classroom to have a voice and to share their voice in new ways.”
— 6th Grade English Teacher
“The Hope on the Rize program brings out confidence in students, and especially in those student who don't normally have confidence in their writing ability, because it's a different avenue of getting them to write and express themselves.”
— 7th/8th Grade English Teacher
“My students absolutely loved the Pseads poetry and science program! They looked forward to it every week. I was so impressed by the way the teachers could give a short mini lesson, and the students could respond almost instantly with writing amazingly beautiful poetry.”
— 3rd Grade Teacher
“My students have had a big boost in confidence this year with Pseads Poetry. They are more willing to share their work because the Pseads educators create a safe space for all work to be celebrated. My gifted student, who loves math but struggles to produce much writing, was encouraged to weave math into his work and came up with a lengthy poem to share. Another student who loves science put his knowledge into his poetry to great effect. And a student who struggles to complete any writing task, came up with some lovely poems, and was extremely proud of his work. I know all the students and parents treasure what students create in this experience.”
— 2/3 Grade Teacher“I cannot believe the level of writing that my students did in such a short period of time. I am particularly fond of the way the Pseads educators see, support, and bring out the best in all the children at all the levels. No one is left behind and everyone is successful.”
— 4th Grade Teacher
What Students Say About Pseads
“In the Pseads poetry program, I learned to search deep inside myself and found a spirit of creativity, a new beginning.”
— Student“Hope on the Rize has brought me such joy because it has helped me open my eyes to see things not as they are, but what they could be. Say a flower, I don't see it as a flower - I see it as a meadow, a star in the galaxy.”
— H.J., Student
“You all have made me enjoy writing poetry more than I thought I ever could. I have never liked writing, but poetry is the highlight of my week. I am so grateful that you all could bring poetry into my life.”
— E.A., Student
“These years of Poetry helped me realize that you don't have to conform to the rules or draw inside the lines, you can follow your heart and express yourself.”
— K.H., Student
“Thank you so, so much. For all the great years of poetry. For all the new words. For all the new meaning behind them. For all the wonderful, magical classes and opening a new world in each. The years went by like a lone petal, lost in the wind. But the petal sprouts life when it lands and remembers itself.”
— A.R., Student
EDUCATORS + ADMINISTRATORS
The clearest evidence often begins with a change in the room.
“When we released all of our other contract programs, we chose to keep Pseads. In fact, we expanded our partnership to include not only classroom programs, but direct work with our educators and staff. This isn’t an enrichment program. It’s a shift in culture and a shift in what’s possible for our school.”
Principal and Veteran Administrator
“I value this program more than any other in our school district because of the way that it empowers students and has them embrace the way that they see the world is unique and valuable and needs to be heard.”
English Department Chair, Veteran Educator
“My students have had a big boost in confidence. They are more willing to share their work because Pseads educators create a safe space for all work to be celebrated.”
Elementary Educator
“Students who never wanted to write anything… were so free in poetry. It was like they were doing a wild dance in their soul.”
6th Grade Teacher
“Pseads can restore a love of learning and passion, even for students and educators who have become deeply disengaged.”
University Professor
“Student engagement is up. Writing is stronger. Learning is more dynamic and inclusive. There is palpable joy on campus.”
Principal and Veteran Administrator
“Through these programs, I came to believe in my ability to pursue this path, and to make a meaningful difference anywhere I go.”
12th Grade Student, Inaugural Pseads Fellow