Jack Collom

Poet and teacher; pioneered the modern Eco-Lit poetry genre

What is Jack Collom known for?

Jack Collom, born John Aldridge Collom on November 8, 1931, in Chicago, Illinois, was a notable alumni of Lyons Township High School, who grew up in the small town of Western Springs, Illinois. An inveterate bird-watcher since his childhood, Collom's fascination with nature was a theme that permeated much of his work. A multi-faceted talent, he was a celebrated American poet, essayist, and dedicated educator specializing in the field of creative writing.

Collom's exploration of eco-literature and ecopoetics carved out a unique space for him in the literary world. He published over twenty-five books in his lifetime, a notable achievement being Second Nature which won the Colorado Book Award for Poetry in 2013. His love for education and creative writing prompted him to develop a unique pedagogical approach for teaching writing to children, focusing on organic, inductive methods that built from their existing knowledge and personal experiences.

After earning a B.A. and M.A. in English literature from the University of Colorado, Collom began teaching in the "Poetry-in-the-Schools" programs in Colorado, Wyoming, and Nebraska. He later taught poetry in the public schools of New York City through the "Poets In Public Service" and "Teachers & Writers" programs.

His dedication to nurturing young talents led to the publication of three books, notably Poetry Everywhere and Moving Windows, by the Teachers & Writers Collaborative, that contained his essays, commentary, and poems created by his students. This was a testament to his seminal work as an educator.

Besides teaching, Collom also contributed to the literary community through a little magazine called "The" from 1966 to 1977, publishing the works of many writers. Furthermore, his exceptional contribution to literature and poetry were acknowledged with Poetry Fellowships from the National Endowment for the Arts, awarded twice, and a Grants to Artists award from the Foundation for Contemporary Arts in 2012.

Collom continued his journey as an educator until his death in 2017, teaching at Naropa University's Jack Kerouac School. His significant contributions to the field of eco-literature and education have left a lasting impact on both as well as on the students he taught.