Social Studies: Poetry as History, Ethics, and Journalism

Kusunoki’s newest collection of poetry is organized like a social studies syllabus and is based partly on a quote from the Guardian that states ＂...poetry is the new journalism.＂ Kusunoki reflects on major events like the killings of Philando Castille and George Floyd, and on a more personal level, the death of his father. Keeping with the tradition of the teacher including the work of proteges, Kusunoki has included poems by some of his former students.

Stanley Kusunoki is a teacher, poet, writer, arts advocate, and musician. He has served on panels for the Minnesota State Arts Board and was on the board of directors for S.A.S.E., The Write Place. He has been a liaison between artists and school faculty through the Perpich Center for Arts in Education. He was the recipient of a Loft Asian Inroads mentorship, and a mentor for the Asian American Renaissance ＂Writers’ Block＂ and Intermedia Arts ＂Exchanges＂ mentorship programs. Kusunoki is currently the High Potential Teacher/Coordinator at Red Oak Elementary School in Shakopee, MN.