“I liked writing with Karen Benke because she let our minds roar. No matter what—silly, serious, or adventurous—with poetry surrounding me, my mind bursts. It’s so fun working with her.”
Eric, age 9

“Karen Benke, I love writing with you. When I write poetry, my imagination opens up…!”
Samantha, age 9

“I liked writing with Karen Benke because my imagination could think more about flowers, gurgling brooks in the forest, and cliffs…not cell phones and TV and video games and modern society. Writing poems makes me go to a peaceful place where everything has meaning.”
Duncan, age 8

“The one thing that I really appreciate about her is that she made me so confident to read my writing and my poems aloud for everyone to hear. I know that she really cared about us. She just made me feel kind of special in my own way. On the last day she brought in a microphone and made us feel as if we were the spotlight of it all. I really like being noticed and having people listen to what I’ve written. I got to do that. Everyone in my class got to feel special like that.”
Maia, age 11

“Karen opened up my mind and calmed me to realize what poetry can do for me. It helps me relax in tight situations. I’m still writing.”
Annie, age 8

“The look of anticipation and joy on students’ faces when Karen enters the classroom is apparent. Her heart quietly inspires children to look inside themselves and reflect: What do I see when I look closely? What’s most important to me? Who’s the real me that only I see? Karen infuses kids with a love of poetry that transcends the lesson of the moment and stays with them long after the school year’s over.”
Maggie Front
Seventh Grade Teacher

“Karen brings not only skill and expertise in the writing of poetry but also a natural ability to communicate her subject clearly and extremely effectively. She is supportive and kind and brings out the best in children’s writing—even those who are reluctant writers.”
Hillery Jaffe-Urell
School Administrator

“Karen helped my students to look at the ordinary and find it extraordinary.”
Robin Alderson
Fifth Grade Teacher

“Karen Benke is a teacher’s teacher. I have watched her open the minds, eyes, and hearts of students as they dance in the wide-open space she creates. ‘Trust yourself,’ is her message—no small one in our test-oriented, one-right-answer world. Let her take you for a whirl into your own weird, wonderful, and ultimately trustable-self.”
Prartho Sereno
MFA Fellow/Teaching Assistant, Syracuse University

“I greatly admire Karen. She is centered and calm and really brings out the very best in my students. They love to write with her. She has a great way of helping them trust in their own voices and share who they are. She brings an enthusiasm and joy into the classroom that is truly exceptional.”
Joe Martini
Third Grade Teacher

“Karen Benke is angelic in word and deed, a brilliant and sweet soul. As a teacher she has touched the hearts and minds of thousands of people with her words and presence—she will inspire you and help you to discover your true poet within.”
Albert Flynn DeSilver
First Poet-Laureate of Marin County

“My instincts were right when I recruited Karen into the CPITS program.  Her enthusiasm is infectious and her dedication to her students has made her a favorite…”
Terri Glass
Program Coordinator
California Poets in the Schools

“Karen knows that somewhere within all of us there is a poem waiting to be born or a story to be told…”
Joan Kip
Award-Winning Essayist