Mark O’Connor, a Slippery Rock University associate professor of literatures, languages, cultures and writing, achieved finalist status in the 2025 Teachers & Writers Magazine Bechtel Prize.
O’Connor was recognized for his essay about teaching creative writing through poetry at SRU, titled “Poetic Archeology: Excavating Found Text to Create Word-and-Image Poems.”
The Bechtel Prize, administered by the New York-based Teachers & Writers Collaborative, honors the legacy of Louise Seaman Bechtel, a key player in establishing the field of children’s literature.
The submission required an essay describing a project or activity which had “students excited about writing and fostered a vibrant and dynamic culture of creative writing in the classroom,” according to the Teachers & Writers Magazine website.