Shawntee’ Herring Named Director of
Jason Taylor Foundation’s Omari Hardwick bluapple Poetry Network
A “new” but familiar face has officially joined the Jason Taylor Foundation as Shawnteè Herring was named the Director of Omari Hardwick bluapple Poetry Network Programs. For the past eight school years, Mrs. Herring has served as the bluapple club sponsor at Cypress Bay High School in Weston, where she teaches college-level writing and creative writing.
In her new role with bluapple, Mrs. Herring will oversee all elements of the Foundation’s poetry programming, including program design, evaluation, and enhancement, curriculum and lesson plan development, educator training, teaching artist development, and management of the Louder Than A Bomb Florida poetry festival.
[image src=”https://jasontaylorfoundation.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/Secondary.Image_.Shawntee.Herring.600×1069.png” shape=”img-rounded”]
“I’m thrilled and honored to be an integral part of bluapple Poetry after nearly a decade of my students participating in its programs,” said Mrs. Herring. “The amazing work that Jason Taylor and Omari Hardwick have fostered for young people has impacted so many lives and I feel privileged to contribute to that legacy.”
The Omari Hardwick bluapple Poetry Network is a multifaceted spoken word poetry program available free to students actively attending South Florida schools. The program provides an environment for students to focus on literacy, prevention issues and social awareness as vehicles for self expression, both written and through performance, ultimately empowering young people, the schools they attend and the communities in which they live.
As sponsor of the Cypress Bay “Lightening Poet’s Society,” Mrs. Herring has helped her students reach tremendous heights. Under her watch, the program has produced the 2020 Louder Than A Bomb Florida Team Champions, three LTABFLA Team Finalists, three South Florida Youth Poet Laureates, one National Youth Poet Laureate Finalist, one YoungArts Finalist and the first ever poet-nominee for a U.S. Presidential Scholar in the Arts.
A North Miami native, Mrs. Herring majored in Mass Communications at Bennett College in Greensboro, North Carolina, where she honed her skills as a spoken word poetry artist. Upon returning to South Florida, she began her career as an English teacher at Hallandale High School in 2007. This year will mark her 15th as an educator in Broward County and her 10th at Cypress Bay, where in addition to her work with the poetry club, she also sponsors the school’s Literary Club.
About the Jason Taylor Foundation
In July 2004, Miami Dolphins legendary defensive end and Pro Football Hall of Famer, Jason Taylor, established the Jason Taylor Foundation, a 501 (c)(3) organization. The Foundation’s mission is to support and create programs that facilitate the personal growth and empowerment of South Florida’s children in need by focusing on improved health care, education and quality of life.
Since opening its doors, the Jason Taylor Foundation has impacted tens of thousands of children through innovative programming including The Jason Taylor Reading Room, Cool Gear for the School Year, the Jason Taylor Children’s Learning Center, Jason Taylor Scholars and the Omari Hardwick bluapple Poetry Network, among others. For more information on the Jason Taylor Foundation, please visit the organization’s website at visit the organization’s website at www.JasonTaylorFoundation.org or follow on social media sites including Facebook or Twitter and Instagram: @jtfoundation99.
