The Teacher's Forum
Welcome to "The Teacher's Forum" hosted by David Harris, a veteran educator with 30 years of experience in private, public, and charter schools. This podcast is your platform to hear the voices of educators from the United States and around the world, with a special focus on educators of color, who are often overlooked in crucial education discussions today. Join us as we dive into important topics, and experiences of K-12 educators, and get a chance to hear from David’s former students, as they share their stories, insights, and experiences. Be sure to tune in and let's celebrate the dedication and excellence of educators together!
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The Teacher's Forum
Amplifying Student Voices Through Poetry: A Conversation with Peter Kahn
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In this thought-provoking episode of The Teacher’s Forum, David sits down with retired English teacher, Peter Kahn, whose lifelong passion for education has transformed the lives of countless students. Peter takes us on a captivating journey through his educational background and his impactful work at Oak Park River Forest High School (OPRF) in Oak Park, Illinois, a western suburb of Chicago
At OPRF, Peter initiated the school's award-winning spoken word club, setting the stage for a remarkable exploration of self-expression through poetry. He shares the inspiration behind the club's inception and the remarkable journey it took over the years. Peter also delves into the Oak Park Model, a groundbreaking educational approach that he created that utilizes poetry as a powerful tool to amplify the voices of students, particularly those whose stories often go unheard. Peter provides insights into the unique ways in which poetry played a pivotal role in hundreds of student’s lives at OPRF, including David’s own son Christian Harris, and former NBA player Iman Shumpert.
Peter also shares his experiences working with students in London which led him to become a founding member of the London Teenage Poetry Slam, and his post-retirement work in Columbus, Ohio, where he continues to make a difference in the lives of students through poetry.
The episode also explores the concept of "disrupting" the traditional high school English canon. Peter is a proponent of including contemporary poets like Terrance Hayes to provide students with a fresh, relatable perspective on literature and language. Join us as we discover the transformative power of poetry and education
For more information on Peter and his work visit spokenword.oprfhs.org, and be sure to order your copy of Respect the Mic Anthology. You can also reach Peter directly at poeteducatorpk@gmail.com. Also check out the award winning 2010 documentary Louder Than a Bombwhich the Chicago Tribune described as "An ode to Chicago's diverse voices....Genuinely stirring...Irresistible."
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