Spreading the Word outreach programs extend the Writers Festival experience into classrooms that for geographic or economic reasons are unable to attend the Festival. The Writer in Residence Program connects authors with schools and communities throughout British Columbia.
“On several occasions I’ve encountered a student years later, telling me how hearing the music and the poetry and the stories of the world influenced their own adventures with words. That’s the best part of teaching to my mind. I remember the teacher who lured me away from a bad path and set me off on a new life in literature. I would have probably ended up in jail without that teacher. Now forty years later the seeds he planted have grown and I am now scattering those same seeds to our children.”
Brian Brett
Writer in Residence at Cortes Island School
The Writer in Residence program offers a one week experience for students to work intensively with an author, and for the author to give readings at local schools and community centers. Secondary school students will take part in intensive workshops, while local elementary schools and community centers will be treated to readings, lectures and discussions. This program directly targets communities where there is a need for educational resources, and whenever possible, we aim to involve Aboriginal students.
"From a teacher's point of view I can assure you that getting and keeping high school students' interest for any length of time can be a huge challenge. [However,] it wasn't long before all eyes and ears were riveted to this wonderful storyteller. The only noise I heard throughout the whole hour was laughter and sighs of compassion. How often does an adult reach a skeptical audience like teenagers with such force and success? Not very often, that's for sure. The humour in each story caught the students' attention and the underlying message got through to them. After the presentation, I had a chance to talk with a lot of them and they were full of praise for Ivan Coyote. During one of the stories skillfully delivered by Ivan, I noticed a few teary eyes in the room, including my own. Her talent for storytelling, the poignancy of the underlying issues really provoked reflection on the part of many students."
Johanne Sauve
Hope Secondary School
The Writer in Residence program is generously sponsored by Amazon.ca and supported by Pacific Coastal Airlines and the Michael R. Shaw Foundation.Amazon.ca is committed to fostering the creation, discussion and publication of new authors and new books.
