Teaching Artists Archives - Jason Taylor Foundation

bluapple Poetry Network Teaching Artist Christelle is a native South Floridian and a proud lifelong writer with a passion for community. When not writing poetry, Christelle can either be found in the corner of a Dunkin’ Donuts or sound asleep on the couch.

  bluapple Poetry Network Teaching Artist Valeria Smyth is a writer who wants to help others find their passion for poetry as she did. A longtime Florida resident, as well as a proud Costa Rican, Val is a social studies teacher and teaching artist.  In both roles, she hopes to make the world a better […]

  bluapple Poetry Network Teaching Artist Sandy Victorin is a poet and college student.  A Coral Springs High School graduate, she has been a stand-out poet during Louder Than a Bomb Florida festivals, including as a two-time Individual Finalist.

Christopher Simpson bluapple Poetry Program Assistant Teaching Artist Christopher Simpson is a 2021 LTAB champion from Flanagan High School. As a published novelist, his passion for writing extends beyond poetry, but he loves the raw form of expression and creativity that the art form provides. He believes that poetry has the power to help and to […]

  bluapple Poetry Network Teaching Artist Nick Jentsch is a poet and graduate of Hollywood Hills High School. His entry into the spoken word world began in 2017, and his appreciation for the craft as well as its community has only deepened over time.

  bluapple Poetry Network Teaching Artist Chris Mazzara has been writing poetry since the 5th grade. It started as a way to express grief over lost loved ones and eventually turned into performing spoken word poetry for the past 8 years. Chris is also a former teacher at South Plantation High School where he led […]