John Poff

Secondary English Teacher, Mio AuSable Schools, Mio, MI

Class Year

1974

Professional Background

Professional baseball player - 1974-1981, Licensed acupuncturist - 1985-1995, Secondary public school teacher - 1995-present (with a couple retirement breaks. I'm returining this fall to my old school frankly becauee of a crtical teacher shortage where I live.

How has your English degree from Duke shaped your work life?

Probably the biggest impact on me as public school teacher was reading Keats with James Applewhite and Gerard Manley Hopkins with Gerald Monsman. That got me started memorizing poetry I loved way back in the early 70's (first, I think, with "Spring and Fall" and "Ode to a Nightingale". I've periodically recited a memorized poem to classes over the years pretty much whenever the mood strikes or it feels like a good moment for one and I believe it's been good for both of us (myself and students).