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For teachers of 6–12 gradeAmerica’s 250th anniversary is an ideal time to reflect on and explore the American Creed, what economist Gunnar Myrdal refers to as “ (what) Americans of all national origins, classes, regions, creeds, and colors, have . . . in common: a social ethos, a political creed.” Since 2018, students around the country have been discussing American Creed videos (streaming on PBS LearningMedia) in class, with curricular support from the National Writing Project. Students have also been invited to create and share their own stories and reflections in photos, captions and/or essays via KQED’s national Youth Media Challenge publishing platform. This workshop supports adding Louisiana voices, which have been largely missing, to this nationwide initiative. Let’s get Acadiana students published!
Two National Writing Project Teacher Consultants, Lafayette Parish School System middle school teachers who have recently incorporated these exercises with their students, and the American Creed in Louisiana project lead, will guide middle and high school teachers through using photopoetry, a combination of art and literature that expresses feelings and emotions through both words and images. Participants will learn to guide students to create their own photopoems that capture the limitless potential and challenges of our American Creed.
No prior poetry or photography experience is required to participate. Bring your pens and phones and immerse yourself in easily adaptable exercises that can immediately be incorporated into classrooms to engage students in exploring these important foundational ideas of our nation in creative ways.
ABOUT THE PRESENTERS
Toby Daspit is Professor of Education and Emeritus Consultant with the National Writing Project of Acadiana at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette. He is the Project Lead for American Creed in Louisiana, funded by the National Writing Project. Toby has nearly four decades of experience as a middle, high school, and university educator. He is the founder of the Improving the Blank Page Youth Writing Program and is a featured poet for the 2026 Festival of Words.
Emily Weber is a middle school English Language Arts teacher at Edgar Martin Middle School in Lafayette Parish. She is currently pursuing a Master’s degree in Educational Leadership at the University of Louisiana Monroe. Emily’s classroom is built around the belief that every student has a story worth telling. She has a particular passion for creative writing and strives to help students discover that writing is not just an academic skill but a powerful way to communicate, reflect, and connect with the world around them. Emily is a National Writing Project Teacher Consultant.
Kerrie Skerrett teaches gifted 6th grade English Language Arts at Edgar Martin Middle School and is entering her 14th year as an educator, with experience teaching in both general education and gifted settings. She is a graduate of both ULL and ULM. Kerrie, a National Writing Project Teacher Consultant, is involved in the American Creed Project because she is passionate about giving students opportunities to engage in authentic writing and make meaningful connections to the world around them.
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