About Joel's Teaching
As a performance poet, children's author and creativity specialist Joel has spent over fifteen years presenting within schools, colleges, libraries and schools literary festivals all over the world. Whether it is to students for incursions or to teachers/librarians/school executives for PD/conferences/retreats, Joel brings a wealth of experience working within the education sector into his teaching and training sessions.
To students Joel brings his passion for poetry, story, writing and creativity to over 50 schools a year, from upper primary to university, single sessions to week long residencies, juvenile justice centres to small community schools to private schools, Joel is able to connect with students at any level in their writing. He brings a fun, engaging, inspiring, energetic style to his schools work that will be sure to break through even the most frosty of teenage too-cool receptions.
Joel focusses on both POETRY and STORY-WRITING with students, leading them always into the experience of creative-breakthrough
His talks and workshops which focus on Spoken Word Poetry seek to integrate literary and poetic skills with performance and speech tools. The poetic process Joel uses enables students to reflect on issues of identity/self-stories and social justice/advocacy and focusses on helping students in the understanding of their own story and social existence. This then paves the way for an articulation of their story whilst developing their creative writing and speaking skills.
In his Author Talks and Story-Writing Sessions Joel looks at STORY development through his graphic novel series URBAN LEGEND HUNTERS and his upcoming HEIST trilogy. He takes students through a simple narrative process he has developed over the years: THE STORY TREE. This covers the major elements of story, but does so in highly unique ways, incorporating simple exercises for students to engage with. Joel can also run more specific sessions on Writing Graphic Novels, Spooky Stories or Thriller/Heist Stories.
Both POETRY and STORY workshops can easily fit into curriculum requirements within English and literature classes and poetry sessions can end with a performance from students that is part of their assessment for a particular unit.
Examples of sessions are below, but Joel is VERY flexible as to what is wanted.
Example Incursion Topics
STORY
POETRY
Author Talks: Joel goes Behind-the-Scenes into his own creative writing process and the inspiration of his books to inspire students in their reading and equip them in their writing. Specific focus at the moment on his new Junior Fiction/graphic series-URBAN LEGEND HUNTERS.
Story-Writing: This can be one session or extended out to being a half-day or whole day of workshops. Focus can also be more specific in terms of WRITING FOR GRAPHIC NOVELS or SPOOKY STORIES or THRILLER/HEIST STORIES. Joel uses a framework he has developed called THE STORY TREE to teach through the narrative-process.
Speaking: Joel also speaks about any topic you are after at school graduations, assemblies, chapels, etc.
Performance Poetry Opener: One Session with Joel performing for students and engaging with them about what sits at the heart of poetry and why someone would be a poet. This introduction to the world of performance poetry can end with students beginning to write their own poem if it is a longer session.
Performance Poetry Beginner: As well as what is in the Performance Poetry Opener above Joel will lead students through an easy poetic process that will will enable them to write poetry a lot easier than they have found it in the past. (2-3 sessions)
Performance Poetry Deep Dive: 6-8 sessions beginning with creative development and moving into poem construction, editing techniques and performative tools with optional outcomes being- Class Performance/Poetry Slam Competition/Recorded poems published as online album. (Two full days)
Note: Each of these incursions are based on ONE class (approx. 25 students or less). Multiply the number of classes to determine length of incursion time- i.e. For three different Year 11 English class groups doing POETRY ESSENTIALS Joel would need to be in the school for 6-7 full days; for four different year 8 English class groups doing POETRY BASICS Joel would need to be in the school for four days. These classes may be spread out as class timetables dictate for less interruption.
Teacher PD and Conferences/Retreats
Joel McKerrow brings his fifteen years of experience within the education sector, to inspire and equip teachers, librarians, and education executives. Either within keynotes or training workshops Joel teaches how to harness creativity in ones personal and professional life. His sessions focus on how creativity can help educators reignite their passion for teaching, transform their methods, and build more dynamic, engaging learning environments. Joel recognises that educators are at the forefront of shaping future generations, and he provides practical tools that empower them to foster deeper student engagement, foster innovative thinking, and create spaces of curiosity and collaboration.
In addition to supporting creative teaching, Joel addresses the growing issue of burnout among educators. His workshops emphasize how creativity can serve as a vital tool for wellbeing, helping teachers reconnect with their sense of purpose and reduce stress. By learning to integrate creative practices into their own lives, educators not only enhance their wellbeing but also model resilience and innovation for their students. Whether at large conferences, PD days, or intimate retreats, Joel’s sessions provide practical strategies for reenergizing both teaching practices and personal wellbeing in a challenging profession.
Teacher Testimonials
Joel has a warm, friendly and fun nature (that's just a little bit cheeky) which engages students and makes poetry 'real', modern and relevant to a teenage audience. Joel makes poetry come alive through his large group presentations and small group workshops where he discusses what inspires him; how he writes; includes performances of his poetry; and, best of all - he gets students writing poetry!
Head of English – Sienna College
Every student in the room was enthralled and often deeply moved. Joel opened the students' eyes to the world of spoken word poetry and helped to facilitate a shift in how they perceived poetry. Students left feeling inspired and with an awakened desire to engage with poetry writing of their own.
Head of English – Mount Evelyn Christian School
Joel has attended our school on numerous occasions, training and prepare our Year 8 students for the College Poetry Slam. He is able to provide a safe and positive environment for student expression (with appropriate balance), as he skills student in the use of literary devices encouraging them to articulate their ideas through the medium of poetic expression. He works well with students, particularly engaging those who may not normally be highly engaged in classroom activities. He has good class control, excellent voice projection and is quite a skilled deliverer of his craft as well as an inspirational poet himself. The leadership of our school found the Year 8 student Poetry Slam Presentations so impressive that several of these Year 8 poets were showcased at the annual Thanksgiving Service, an event attended by parents, students and school board members. I would highly recommend Joel in this capacity.
Senior English Teacher – Donvale Christian College
A brilliant incursion. Poetry as old and boring was thrown out the window as students were spellbound listening to poetry delivered in such a modern and compelling way in Joel's performances. The techniques they learned with Joel were then used to create interesting and vibrant pieces of their own. Joel is a great resource and we will be looking to repeat his incursion next year.
Head of English – Heatherton Christian College
Joel McKerrow is an energised and enthusiastic master of words that has a talent for teaching young adults about poetry and inspiring them to create their own unique spoken word masterpieces...His ability to connect with students and instil them with the confidence to record their own work was a definite highlight of their enrichment week. If you are seeking to engage students in poetry, equip them with creative writing skills or seeking to build their confidence, I would highly recommend booking Joel.
Head of English – Caroline Chisholm Catholic College
Festival Testimonials
Joel McKerrow captivated our students the moment he stepped on the stage at our Literary Festival. Joel’s performances were a mesmerizing blend of raw emotion, social commentary, and lyrical prowess; creating an unforgettable experience for our students and transcending any pre-conceived ideas of what poetry is all about. He is a true wordsmith and I wholeheartedly recommend him to anyone seeking to be moved by the magic of spoken word poetry.
Festival Director – Whitsunday Voices Youth Literature Festival
A poet who can move an audience to hold their breath, to hang on every word, or cause tears to tumble, as the master of words leads you on a journey, at times, in self-discovery. Joel encapsulates everything that Storyfest is. He engages and nourishes both the young and old with his performances and encourages them to discover their own voice.
Andrea Lewis – CEO Somerset Storyfest
Joel is a master craftsman with words, able to tell stories through his poems to entertain any audience, making them laugh, imagine, wonder, and think. Joel engages with participants in creative and practical ways, encouraging them to explore and apply various writing tools to make their own poems come alive. Joel is a skilled communicator and I highly recommend him as a keynote presenter.
Dr Fiona Partridge – CEN Executive Officer
Can you envision over 2,000 students from across Australia participating in a collaborative Zoom workshop, where they spontaneously rise and applaud after a poetry performance? Inspired and motivated, these students don't just write; they eagerly share and perform their own poetry, delving into the depths of their emotions and life experiences. Joel models the process, making it accessible for students to adopt and make their own. They're so engrossed in their writing that they don't want to put their pens down, and they're undistracted by the world around them, even asking for more time to continue their creative journey. If your school believes that exceptional writing and communication stem from profound connections and inspiration, then inviting Joel to your school will provide a firsthand experience of this transformative process.
Jenny Atkinson – CEO of Littlescribe