Deborah Hoechstetter
Staff Development Coordinator
Adult Learning Center
Pittsfield Public Schools
Pittsfield MA 

June 11, 2004

 Dear Carol,

 The poetry writing workshop, Finding Your Voice, which you did with teaching staff and volunteer tutors here at the Adult Learning Center, was a huge success by many measures. Staff benefited so much personally and professionally from the experience, theyíve enthusiastically and with terrific results incorporated their own experience into the classroom. So, Carol, youíve planted seeds which continue to bear fruit.

Your poetry prompts, stimulates and encourages others to put pen to paper without fear and with humor. Even those whoíd groaned over the thought of poetry glowed with self-discovery. Your astute feedback validated the authenticity and power of what we all heard.

Something else happened while the group was engrossed and entertained by this discovery of their own and co-workers voices. Walls came down as we let out and let in. Tíwas a powerful afternoon which continues to resonate with participants. Your workshop now serves as the barometer for what teachers want and expect;  experiential exposure to an approach which they can joyfully apply with their range of students.

The other day, a reading specialist co-worker stopped me to say what a wonder- ful, life changing experience this had been for her.  Sheís kept her writings and enthusiasm from that day and continues to recreate that time and space. 

You are terrific, Carol, in converting a seemingly daunting task to one everyone could do.  Your grasp of human qualities and emotions, your positive, creative energy is infectious. You provided not only the catalyst but the validation for even those whoíd been resistant to the process.  And the wonderful gift that stays with those fortunate to partake in your workshop is that feeling of success, that if youíve found your own voice ñ and enjoyed sharing it ñ well thereís no telling what you can do. We hope to find the way for you to work directly  with our students.

In gratitude for the experience,

Deborah Hoechstetter