Teacher with a Writer's Heart
Interview with Matt Eicheldinger
I’ve often said that teachers are my heroes. I can only think of a few professions as selfless and sacrificial as overseeing a classroom full of students all with different personalities and learning styles, feelings and issues, struggles and triumphs. I really like kids – one or two at a time. On the days I host all four of my grandchildren it’s a whirlwind of fun but the level of energy sucks the life right out of me. So those who wrangle 20-30 kids at a time all while managing to teach them things have my full respect. And a teacher with a writer’s heart sends me to the pinnacle of admiration.
I mentioned in a previous blog post that I had started following Matt Eicheldinger on Instagram. Matt is a teacher, best-selling author and speaker, but what most attracted me to his work is his storytelling. Matt posts short snippets about his teaching experiences and insights about life regularly on social media sites, and they are just the kind of news I need to hear every day. His stories are positive and uplifting with a touch of humor and humility. His unique storytelling style makes me smile and tugs at my heartstrings.
Matt is currently on a sabbatical from teaching to pursue writing full time. As a writer myself, I am wowed by the fact that in just two years he will have published 11 books! And he does his own illustrations! It took me a year and a half just to publish my ONE book. Maybe in another year and a half, I will publish my second. Just this week Matt announced that he is releasing his first book of poetry aimed at kids. This is like music to this poet’s ears! I immediately put his new book, “Holes in My Underwear” on pre-order. I was singing Matt’s praises to a friend who suggested I reach out to him so that I could do a full feature here on my blog. Matt’s a very busy man, but I took the chance to ask him for some quotes. I was delighted that he responded right away, “Absolutely! Thank you for thinking of me!”
The list of questions that I would love to ask Matt would not fit in one blog post, so I decided to focus on his dive into the poetry world and the impetus behind his first book of poetry. I think from his responses, you will clearly see why people of all ages resonate with his writing.
1. What was the catalyst for you to pursue becoming an author?
“There were a variety of things, but the main push came back in 2009 when I first entered the teaching profession. I was 21 at the time, and wanted to make sure students recognized me as a fun, engaging teacher. I tried all sorts of things to incentivize them for class, and something that stuck was telling embarrassing stories from my childhood. They loved them so much I filled a glass jar with hundreds of slips of paper, each one containing the title of a "Mr. Eicheldinger Story", so when students finished a task they could pick a story out and I would tell it for everyone. Because I didn't want to forget these stories, I went home and started writing them all down, which was ultimately how my first book was developed. I spent the next fifteen years trying to get it published, and just last year the book was acquired by Andrews McMeel publishing, and became an instant NYT Bestseller. So when I am asked what inspired me to become an author, the answer is simple: my students.”
2. Any advice for those wanting to publish their first book?
“This may sound silly, but you need to write the book first. I meet with a lot of people who want to publish a book, and they ask all sorts of questions as if there is an easy formula to do so, but they haven't taken their first step yet; to finish the book. Once you have a completed and edited manuscript, the next thing you need to ask yourself is "What is my goal?" This will determine whether you want to pursue traditional publishing or self-publishing.”
3. Have you always had an interest in poetry?
“As a kid, not at all. I was mostly reading Calvin and Hobbes, and didn't gravitate towards much else. However, I've always been surrounded by music, and many of those artists are poets. My mom owned a small dance studio in rural Colorado, so I got to hear so many different singer/songwriters who wrote lyrics that seem to speak my exact feelings at that stage of life. I listened to all sorts of genres, and found a connection to all of it.”
4. Who are your favorite poets?
“For a more traditional poet, Shel Silverstein was definitely an inspiration, although I didn't read much of his work until I was a teacher. For singer/songwriters though, I am a huge fan of Mat Kearney and Ben Rector, both of whom write from experience. I often will listen to their music while working, and it can help me find the tone I am looking for when creating certain pieces.”
5. What inspired you to write a book of poetry for kids?
“My students, without a doubt, and this time more directly than my first book. When I became a teacher, one of our first units was a Poetry Unit, and the majority of the examples we were using came from Shel Silverstein. My students were not thrilled about this, because they had read most of his poems in elementary school. I went searching for similar quality poems (funny, inspirational, quirky), but couldn't find anything close at the time. So to fill the need I started writing poetry for my students to use in class. It did not go over well at first. Students were very blunt with their feedback, but I started to learn what they did want, and how to craft it. Over the next decade I continued to write poetry for my curriculum, and it resonated with students really well.”
6. Why do you think it's important for kids to be exposed to poetry?
“I think one of the best parts of poetry is that kids can learn that you do not have to follow rules in order to express yourself. Kids (and adults!) often think of poetry as deep, personal work, packed with meaningful elements that can be difficult to decipher. But when you show students poetry can be about anything, that they don't have to follow certain rhyme schemes or word count, then there is immediate freedom to express in a way they didn't think was accessible before.”
I especially love what Matt said about learning to love and write poetry as kids as well as adults. Poet Maggie Smith puts it this way, “People don’t become poets. They either, as they grow up, become NOT poets, or they stay poets.” It’s my contention that there are poets and writers in each of us. Matt Eicheldinger took the leap to stay a poet and to teach kids how to stay poets as well. Find Matt on Instagram, Facebook, or YouTube and listen to his stories. Then go to his website and learn more about his writing journey and find his books. They are also available on Amazon. If you have kids or grandkids, I highly recommend them as gifts to the next generations. He recently started a Substack page, too. I’m sure some good things will be popping up there as well. Matt is a teacher with a writer’s heart and a writer with a teacher’s heart. Don’t miss the amazing lessons he is sharing from his heart.
Visit the links below to learn more:
"Holes in My Underwear" Pre-order on Amazon
Just pre-ordered his new book. Thanks for the link. Wouldn't we all love to have Matt for our own teacher or our kids or grands! What a fun classroom I imagine it would be!
Cathey, what an amazing opportunity to interview Matt! I loved his thoughts about inspiring children through poetry. His quote about creating without limits is so true. It is so very hard for us adults to let go and create without our inner critic screaming at us. I also love his advice about writing a book. Starting the book is the key! Thank you for introducing Matt to us and sharing your interview!