Mike Barrett: Poet and Educator from Chicago

Mike Barrett was born in Chicago, on the West side, before his family moved to the Northwest side neighborhood of Norwood Park. He attended Immaculate Conception Grammar School and Loyola Academy High School.

He graduated from the University of Notre Dame where he threw the shotput and discus, received a BA in Economics, and realized that the Economics degree was a cover for his identity as poet. After college, as a Holy Cross Associate, he taught poetry, physical education, and started a track team at St. Patrick’s Elementary School in West Oakland.

When he returned to Chicago he became involved in the nascent spoken word scene as a founding member of the Chicago Poetry Ensemble, under the direction of Marc K. Smith.

In addition to pioneering a number of polyvocal techniques, the Chicago Poetry Ensemble had a critical role in establishing the original Uptown Poetry Slam.

He received his Ph.D. in Creative Writing at the University of Illinois-Chicago. After graduation he moved to Missouri and Trudy Lewis, fiction writer and University of Missouri Professor of English. They have two children, Eddie and Jude.

He taught for 25 years at Moberly Area Community College where he was honored with the inaugural Missouri Community College Association Faculty Innovation Award, the Governor’s Award for Excellence in Teaching, The Alfred Parrish Award for Teaching Excellence, and the MACC Alumni Association Award for Outstanding Faculty.

He has written 12 books of poetry, three textbooks, and a book of critical essays. He founded, and edited for 22 years, Anvil & lyre magazine which published the work of MACC Students. As Creative Director of Anvil/lyre Studio he produced a number of multimedia performances in Columbia and performed spoken word across America and Europe.

As head Throws Coach for the Blue Thunder Track Club, he has mentored young throwers to 8 AAU National Championships, and 29 All-American Awards.

He spends his time writing, painting, playing the congas, and hiking the beautiful state of Missouri and points beyond.