Do you have a subject you struggle to teach? For me, it’s always been poetry—but that didn’t stop me from learning from someone who truly makes it shine. In this episode, I’m joined by Lesa from SmithTeachers9to12—aka the Poetry Queen—who shares how she turned her own challenges with poetry into a true classroom strength.

Lesa talks about the power of starting small, like using poetry-inspired attendance questions or having students write poems about themselves. You’ll also hear how analyzing student-written poetry can build confidence before tackling published works, and how to weave poetry into novel studies and units all year long. Whether you love poetry or avoid it, this conversation is full of creative, doable ideas to help poetry feel less intimidating and more impactful.

Read more in the show notes. 

Get to Know Lesa from SmithTeaches9to12:

Lesa Smith is a high school English teacher from Toronto, Canada. While not a poet herself, her love of poetry knows no bounds and she is always on the lookout for ways to include more poetry in class and to share those ideas with teachers. You can find her on Instagram as SmithTeaches9to12 where she'll happily answer your DMs while sipping a London Fog and listening to 90s grunge for as long as her six-year-old will allow! 

Poetry Resources 

• 6 Ways To Include Poetry In Your Next Novel Study
• Quick Win: Poetry Grammar Lesson
• 5 Easy Ideas for Word Play During National Poetry Month

Connect with Lesa

• SmithTeaches9to12 - website
• SmithTeaches9to12 - TpT store

Be sure to join the Secondary ELA Facebook group. If you’re loving this podcast, please rate, review and follow!

Website: https://middleschoolcafe.com/
Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/secondaryela
Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/middleschoolcafe
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/middleschoolcafe/
TPT Shop: https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Store/Middle-School-Cafe