'The presentation was wonderful! We all enjoyed working with you. The students were engaged and enthusiastic. How effective to have a presenter who really knows children--how to motivate and manage them appropriately. A parent told me her son's first after school comment was, 'We had this cool poetry dude today!''

'Ted!!! We adore you!'

'Mr. Scheu has been coming to our school for two years now. His rapport with the students is wonderful and the skills he teaches them for writing really work.'

'Your presentation exceeded my expectations. My children were so motivated that they came back to the classroom and wrote poetry during their break (which is sacred 'down time')! I was thrilled to see that as a role model you also came across...several of my poets were guys (in 5th grade!!!)'

'The students had a blast! After your presentation, the students were making up poems on their own. You were animated which pulled the kids right in.'

'Your visit to North Street School gave my students and my writing program a tremendous boost! To see the children respond because they recognized ideas we had previously explored was very exciting. My only regret is that you didn't have more time to spend with us. Many, many thanks for all of your hard work!'

'Ted, you did a wonderful performance--you engaged both a large group of children (100 students), and a small group--you made poetry come alive for our students! We would highly recommend you for other schools.'

'You are delightfully engaging. You become one of the students and they respond wonderfully.'

'I found your lesson to be especially important for our boys because they are learning to use their hearts along with their minds. Would you visit us every year?'

'Ted, you were terrific! You certainly captivated the students with your "kid friendly" poems, and you won over those children who thought they'd hate poetry. You were very positive always, and you addressed them as poets--not children. Thank you!'

'My class was so enthusiastic about your visit. You pulled them right into the presentation, and you reinforced so many of the things I am currently teaching. You are truly an inspiration to the students. I can't wait until next year!'

'Your residency was fantastic. Poetry of high quality continues to be written.'

'I think your poems are smashing. The way you 'frolic' with words and ideas is simply awesome.'

'Ted was wonderful for all grades. He got our creative juices flowing. He is wonderful!'

'I'm in awe at the energy and skill with which you work in the classroom, bouncing often between five different grades/ages in a day, making it meaningful and fun for each child.'

'Thanks for everything. Your presentation and the workshops were just fantastic. We are definitely interested in having you come again.'

'Ted Scheu is fun, positive and enthusiastic. He provides a fresh approach to developing creative writing skills, and sparks and inspires students and teachers alike.'

'The presentation exceeded our expectations--your energy totally engaged the children. We loved you and want you back next year!'

'Your presentation was very motivating and entertaining for my students. The children were very excited to write poems, and many wrote them at home and brought them to school. They were willing to share and anxious to put them in final form. Your reading of your poems was very motivational. We all loved your visit.'

'The 4th graders in our class loved your presentation! They laughed, they wondered, they wrote, and they are still writing! They were very impressed that you wrote your own poetry! Your presentation was upbeat and engaging. The children responded well to you, and you to them.'

'Thank you for your wonderful presentations. My students enjoyed them very much. You gave them more strategies to add to their repertoire of writing skills. I hope you will visit our school again.'

'The children loved the presentation. It was great for them to learn a different way to express themselves. I've had a hard time getting the children not to write poems everyday in their journals!'

'You exceeded all of our expectations. As Vermont schools struggle with the writing standards, this type of presentation couldn't be more relevant. What I saw was children engaged in the writing process: drawing on prior knowledge, making connections, using their imaginations in an environment that was safe and supportive, and, most importantly, talking about how important revision is to the creative process. It was awesome!'

'Your poetry presentation was superb! The students were totally engaged, which might not always be successful with 35 students in one room. Everyone was writing!'

'Thanks a bunch for filling our minds with ideas...
A poem is the way to get your feelings on paper. I like to make poems. You're cool.
I loved having you! Now I can write poems whenever! Your poems are gross! I really like them. Please come again.
It was really fun. I liked how Ted Scheu said his poems with energy.
He was nice and easy to work with!
I thought it was neat when Ted changed a boring sentence to poetry.
Sometimes I play your tape at night to get to sleep. I love your poetry!
I love your poems! I can’t wait until you come back next year!'

'I had a great time when you came into our classroom. I learned a lot about poems today.'

'Dear Mr. Scheu, the Poetry Guy,
It was cool to have you at our school.
We had fun, but we're not done.
We'll write and write, far into the night.,
Cause Poetry rocks,
It blows off our socks!'

'I love your pomes they are the greasted pomes ever. I adsolutely love poetroy (sic).'

'Mr. Scheu, you're the best.
Better than all the rest!
Thank you for coming and giving us tips.
Now, when we write poems, we'll LET IT RIP!'

'You're as good as Shel Silverstein!'

'You are unusual, creative, interesting, nice, hilarious, different--thanks for the poetry advice!'

Ted Scheu
P.O. Box 564
Middlebury, VT 05753
Email