digthatnoise

“Jena brings the best of both worlds in working with children, 1^st the real passion for MAKING A DIFFERENCE and 2^nd the ability to relate to children from all kinds of diverse backgrounds.  Her work with the Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Texas has been a blessing to so many children who deal with the deployment of a parent during this tough time.  I hope you will take this time to look at how your kids can be impacted by the work that Jena does. Her ability not only in poetry, but in life is what we call SPECIAL! Jena is a true gift, an artist that connects immediately."

 -Jon F. Charles, CPO Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Texas, Texas Folk Music Foundation

"She opens her mouth and out comes a stream of the unexpected." -Dallas Morning News

Jena has published seven books of poems, co-written, produced and directed four multi-media performance art shows and been a member of two National Poetry Slam teams. She is an elementary poetry instructor for Badgerdog Literary Publishing during the week and writes Poems on the Spot While You Shop at The Sunset Valley Farmer's Market on her antique Olivetti typewriter on Saturdays.

Jena Gessaman

poet artist instructor

Jena types poems on an Olivetti Studio 45 typewriter at the Sunset Valley Farmers Market  most Saturdays from 9 am until 1 pm. Stop by or email jena@digthatnoise.com and have a custom poem written for any occasion.

Jena works as a creative writing instructor for Badgerdog Literary Publishing in elementary schools in AISD and DVISD. Visit www.badgerdog.org for more information on our writing workshops and seasonal anthology Youth Voices in Ink.

Read Jena's article on Ireland's own Julie Feeney who will be visiting Austin for SXSW 2010. http://www.spinner.com/2010/02/21/sxsw-2010-julie-feeney/

Jena was recently published in the online magazine Drash Pit.

 “Jena has been teaching with Badgerdog in our creative writing workshops for kids since 2007. Every time I visit one of her classrooms, I’m charmed and awed by the effect she has on her students. Jena’s endless enthusiasm, innovation, and her dedication to teaching inspire young writers to be themselves on the page, to be fearless. Students seem to hang on Jena’s every word, eager to know where she will lead them next. In each classroom, she quickly turns the group into a close-knit and trusting community of writers. We are so grateful to have her as part of our team. Not only does she inspire her students, but she inspires us as well."

-Cecily Sailor, Badgerdog Literary Publishing Education Program Manager

 “You have made a difference in the time you have spent with us that will never be forgotten.”

-James Glidewell, Baty Elementary School

 “Your enthusiasm and spirit for teaching is admirable. Thank you for being a constant light to our students.”

-Johanna Nevares, Creedmoor Elementary School

 “She is able to guide an entire classroom of energetic students through an organized lesson plan, while stoking their creative energies throughout.”

-Giuseppe Taurino, Badgerdog Literary Publishing Education Program Manager

 “Overall, Jena’s care for the students, love of her subject matter, and command of the class were apparent. It was a pleasure to watch her teach.”

-Laurie Fillipelli, Badgerdog Literary Publishing Education Program Manager

 “Because of your devotion and the time you have invested, our youth now can see beyond closed doors. You have brought out a quality in them, which many didn’t know they had. Your caring ways enabled them to move beyond their comfort zones and attempt things they had never attempted before. Because of you many youth in our area will have a greater love of poetry and writing."

-Lisa Shepard, Fairway Middle School Boys and Girls Clubs

 “Jena displays a deep and generous commitment to fostering youth voices in a challenging environment, and the fact that she does so with playfulness and grace makes her success that much more admirable. Badgerdog is lucky to have her as an instructor.”

-Elyse Fenton, Badgerdog Literary Publishing Field Program Coordinator

poetic events

Second Street Live in Ft. Smith, Arkansas features a three day poetry workshop including evening performances with Tim Mason, Regie Gibson and Jena Gessaman. February 16-18 www.secondstreetlive.com

Monday, February 15 in Fayetteville Jena, Tim and Regie read their poems at Opal Fly's Feel Good Lounge www.opalfly.com

February 23rd Jena will be a guest instructor at the annual   Travis Heights Elementary Young Writers Workshop

February 27th Jena will be the artist instructor at the annual Creedmoor Elementary Writers Workshop

March 6th Jena will be an artist instructor with Badgerdog Literary Publishing at Book People's Reading Frenzy.

April 15-18 Jena will be a featured poet at the 17th Annual Austin International Poetry Festival www.aipf.org

Jena will be an instructor at the Kerrville Summer Music Camp in July at Quiet Valley Ranch. To make a donation to the Boys and Girls Club of Central Texas visit www.bgctx.org

This camp brings 13-18 year old teens to work with artists in a beautiful outdoor setting.