Local educator: an advocate for art

Terry Lewis, a fifth-grade teacher at the Gotham Avenue School, located at 181 Gotham Ave. in Elmont, has been an advocate for the performing arts since he was a student himself, in the Roosevelt Union Free School District. As a teacher, Lewis continues to provide a platform for students to express themselves through art. Among his array of artful endeavors, Lewis regularly hosts poetry workshops and poetry slams as the Elmont Memorial Library, at 700 Hempstead Tpke. in Elmont.

Lewis has been offering poetry slams to students in grades 7 to 12 for the past year. Last year, he led a Teen Poetry Slam at the Elmont Memorial Library, which brought in nearly 40 participants. This year, Lewis is hosting the event on Tuesday, April 26, at 6:30 p.m., but he doesn’t expect as large a turnout. “The interest is there, but the participation varies,” he explained.

The Teen Poetry Slam is an offshoot of the poetry workshop Lewis has conducted several times at the library, he added.

The upcoming event, which will be held in collaboration with Young Adult Services at the Elmont Memorial Library, is Lewis’ fourth Teen Poetry Slam, which allows students to recite original or favorite poems with power and strong cadence.

Unlike regular poetry recitation, poetry slamming includes an aggressive aspect, Lewis explained. Poetry slams encourage students to explore their innate creativity, gain confidence speaking in front of others, and understand and appreciate the art of poetry, he added.

In addition to poetry slams, Lewis runs a three-week summer enrichment acting program for local studuents. He also founded the Gotham Tango Society, an after-school program held weekly in Lewis’ classroom, where he teaches students to dance the tango. And it’s no wonder Lewis knows how to teach the famous dance — he studied the tango as a student at Dance Manhattan.

As a fifth grade teacher, Lewis covers all subjects in his classroom, which is filled with multimedia artwork, photos, books, music and technology, including a SMART Board — a white-board with a technological component.

Al Harper, superintendent of the Elmont Union Free School District, said he is extremely proud to have Lewis as a member of his staff.

“He is a talented educator, and his children love him,” Harper said. “He’s knowledgeable, he’s dynamic and he really brings the instruction to life for the children. He presents real-life lessons, and he brings the arts into the classroom. He’s wonderful.”

Those interested in participating in the Teen Poetry Slam at the Elmont Memorial Libary are encouraged to bring at least three selections. For more information on the event, call (516) 326-5500.

Comments about this story? JNash@liherald.com or (516) 569-4000 ext. 214.