Poet In Residence

Established in 2011, by beloved Berwick Middle School English teacher, Mary Anker (now retired), the Poet in Residence program continues to thrive in our Middle School. Each visiting poet chooses to teach a specific aspect of the writing process and workshops with students on the art of crafting poetry. At the end of the week, the poet presents an evening reading in the Jackson Library that is open and free to the public. Berwick students and faculty share poetry of their own at this event. The poets who come to Berwick Academy bring their own cultural perspective, their expertise, and their desire to immerse themselves in teaching. Berwick Academy is a community of learners that values the diversity and complexity of our society and that is eager to widen our cultural understanding through the literary genre of poetry. The Middle School prides itself on its relationship with poetry. This program began locally with Kimberly Green, Poet Laureate of Portsmouth, and broadened its reach with Thomas Moore, Sophia Snow, Naomi Shihab Nye, Richard Blanco, Ellen Waterston, Willie Perdomo, Marjorie Thomsen, Brian Evans-Jones, and now, in 2023, we have come full circle with Mary Anker, the founder of our Poet in Residence program as this year's poet. All of our poets have added to the rich and varied cultures of both our school and the Seacoast.