College-bound Christina Curtis scrapbooks her years in middle school as a member of the Digital Poets, a group of students who find their voices through verse. Weaving her own narrative into the poems of her peers, Christina tells the story of her friendship with Steven Gilley, the obnoxious, girl-teasing, and…
We LOVED Brod's performance today. We have 150 kids in our after-school programs. As they got picked up, they were telling their parents - quite animatedly - all about his show! His visit touched the lives of 500 children and our faculty.
Mary Jo Costello / Principal / South Bend, IN / April, 2010
When my two grandsons got in the car after school, the first thing they spoke of was the great time they had with Poet Brod. They remembered the poems and they recited several by heart. They got the message about writing and rewriting, courage in the face of fear, and using facial expressions in oral recitation. They thought he was very, very funny.
Kathleen Casey / Grandmother & School Volunteer / Malone, New York / April, 2009
A principal of a high poverty school, I watch Brod Bagert challenge my students to become something more than what people believe they will become. I watch as my children see themselves in his poems and dream dreams that temporarily elevate them from the poverty in which they live and transport them into the world that he has created. I cannot say enough about the man that makes my children smile!
Don Doggett / Principal / Beaufort, South Carolina / April, 2010
Brod's program captured everyone’s attention and after an hour, even our youngest Kindergarten children didn't want to say Good-Bye. His inspiring program prompted children to return to classrooms and insist on writing poetry. When asked if they enjoyed Brod's visit, all responses were cheers. He is a dynamic author that every child should experience, at least once.
Barbara Toresco / School Library Media Specialist / Upper Saddle River, NJ / April, 2010
I am more determined to include poetry in my classroom since the presentation. I loved the tips of how to present poetry in the classroom. I think it is a great way for children to express themselves and can be easily integrated across the curriculum.
Nancy Horn / Student Teacher / BGSU Early Childhood
Before Brod's visit, our school staff and parents questioned whether to continue school author visits; wondering if the expense and time to prepare was beneficial to student learning. After Brod’s visited our schools, our school staff and our parents are asking who our next visiting author will be.
Sylvia Bergeson / Teacher & Librarian / Ankeny, Iowa / May, 2010
Wow! Brod was unbelievable! Students and staff have been raving about his hilarious performances and the fact that out of all the authors we've had, they felt Brod was the best!
Lori Belair / Librarian / Cayouga, New York / April, 2010