Cailynn Stewart
Cailynn Stewart is a current Chicago Public School teacher. Cailynn graduated with a BA from Illinois State University in Middle Level Education. She continued her education at Concordia University Chicago where she received a MA in Educational Administration. While Cailynn is currently enrolled in the Principal Preparation Program at Concordia University Chicago, she also serves as the program director for Illinois State University’s Summer Teacher Education Partnership for Urban Preparation program (STEP-UP).
The impact of poetry and the spoken word club
When I was a sophomore in high school, I remember vividly watching Brave New Voices on television and imagining I was on the stage. From there, my love for poetry grew tremendously and I began writing my own poems. My junior year, my family moved to Oak Park, Illinois. I began attending Oak Park and River Forest High School and met Peter Kahn (PK). At that point, I was invited to attend the Spoken Word Club. Spoken Word has provided me with many opportunities. Through my mentorship I received from PK, I was inspired to become a school teacher. I received a scholarship towards my college education and even participated in internships and programs in Chicago and New York due to my involvement with Spoken Word. Spoken Word was my safe haven in high school. It allowed me to be myself unapologetically. It was one of the few places in which I could be Black and be vulnerable. Spoken Word taught me how to use my voice to advocate for myself and those around me and that is what will be carried with me forever.
Top favorite poets or lyricists
Alvin Lau
Pascale Petit
J. Cole
Writing Prompts
Write an ode to one of your parents (or to another family member)
Cailynn says her life has been “ripped and stitched together again.” Create an image to describe your life thus far and see where it takes you.
Write about a push and pull relationship that you have (or have had)