Approach to Teaching

Imani's artistic talent is undeniable, it is an absolute privilege to have her in the classroom. Her educational methods inspire the students we serve to not only explore their own creativity, but to also collaborate effectively with their peers and general community. Students learn to cultivate a safe environment in which to express their emotions and influence positive social change. After each school residency with Imani I have observed how eager students are to continue writing and sharing personal stories and concerns about the world around them. Imani's commitment to creating engaging and empowering curriculum has strengthened our in-school program, through well prepared research and critical reflection tools she guides young minds towards dissecting and ultimately better participating in their own education. 

Working with Imani has been a pleasure. I was able to work with her as a curriculum specialist where we collaborated on jazz and poetry curriculum for 6th graders in San Francisco.  Imani is a self assured, confident and excellent teacher. She commands a classroom and is so inclusive, that even those students who willfully try to not participate, are turned around by her diligence and consciousness as she reaches every student in the room.  As an accomplished artist, her example of performance is also something for the students to aspire to. I've worked with thousands of classroom teachers and teaching artists as an arts integration specialist and Imani has and instinctive talent paired with teaching skills that bring out a collaborative, artistic process with the students in the classroom

When I saw Imani Cezanne on the Nuyorican stage I had chills. To find out that she would be my coach made me both excited and nervous. As we dove into the business of poetry, I found Imani to continue to inspire me on my poetry journey as she first did when I saw her on the stage four years earlier. Except this time, she showed me the hard work that went behind each poem. She pushed me to find inspiration in others, to treat the poems as work, and to be incredibly dedicated. She showed me what it means to commit to writing and what nurturing my craft could look like. Under her tutelage I felt my poetry sharpen and refine, but I also felt myself grow as a person. Imani not only brings her exhaustive experience to coaching, but also her entire person. She is beyond committed to the team, and is such a joy to work with. Like with anything, you get what you put in and if you're willing to do the work then Imani Cezanne will make you into so much more than you ever thought you could be.