POET & PEN PAL
Kwil is a giggly, googly-eyed poet and pen pal. He lifts literacy, creativity and social-emotional learning concepts off the page into the minds, hearts, and mailboxes of those who create and connect with him. “From age 4 to 94 and whole lot more!” says Kwil.While some think of Kwil as an educational mascot who champions literacy, creativity and social-emotional learning, his family, friends and fans know that our frizzy-fuzzy pen friend is so much more. For them, Kwil is "realer than real" AND “something you feel”Kwil creates and connects in the most poetic, passionate, and purposeful way. His evolving awareness and understanding of actualization embraces diversity, equity, inclusion, ethics and justice in the most upbeat and developmentally appropriate ways. It is a privilege to enchant and empower through joy-filled responsive engagement.TIME'S TESTIMONIALS
CREATIVE CONNECTIONS: The JOY of Keeping Pencils Moving & Keyboards Tapping!
In the Words of
Kwil Kids & Kwilsters
Oh for the love of a frizzy-fuzzy, googly-eyed, green-nosed guy making pencils fly!
KWIL
With his giant pencil
And his cute green nose.
He likes to write stories
And poems and prose.
He’s fluffy and round
With eyes very bright.
He’s quiet and shy
And always out of sight!
If you try very hard
You may catch a glimpse,
But because he’s so shy
You’ll probably have to squint.
He’s your friend and mine
With a pencil so fast,
So come and join him
You’re sure to have a blast!
A.K., Kwilster
Going Global
With 21st Century Tools
By Jennifer Pardee, Retired Principal,
Bowen Island Community School
It is rare to find an educator who so masterfully combines a passion for literacy and a deep understanding of human development that when carefully woven together not only enhances children’s lives but changes them. When I first met Mr. Kalen Marquis (fondly known as ‘Mean Ole Mr. M’), I knew that he was more than a Teacher-Librarian and Counsellor.
At the same time I met Kalen, I was introduced to his mascot Kwil and several of his imaginary companions. As fate should have it, this encounter proved to be the beginning of a special and highly prized relationship that would deepen over time given our mutual passion and commitment to the well-being of those we serve.
My intuition was correct: Kalen’s brilliant brainchild, Kwil, indeed inspires children through his gifted use of words and rhyme that are laced with love and kindness. What transpired over the following months and years extended far beyond my initial expectations. I have seen how children’s imaginations have been ignited through Kwil and how students’ reading and writing have become more purposeful and authentic as they engage with Kwil through regular correspondence. The culture in our library has been transformed! No longer is it simply a warehouse of books but a place where literacy comes to life.
While the idea of having children write to an imaginary character is a relatively simple concept, Kwil provides a unique opportunity for students to communicate and to share thoughts and feelings in an authentic and meaningful way. Kwil provides a personalized opportunity for students to write, dream, draw and imagine – all by engaging with an imaginary character in an imaginary world that is grounded in “wisdom, wonder and wellness”.
I am excited to learn that Kwil Kids is looking to reach beyond the walls of our school and other communities where Kwil has been resident. Imagine the possibilities for Kwilville given 21st century technology tools!
KALEN AND KWIL
Embracing the Frizzy-Fuzzy, Googly-Eyed, Green-Nosed Creative Inner Child
Kalen Marquis
Therapist, Educator & Human Bean
Kwil works, learns, and plays with Kalen Marquis, an online therapist, educator and ‘human bean." Kwil has known and inspired Kalen and his students and clients for thirty years when he worked as a teacher, librarian and school counsellor. Now "retired" to full-time private practice online, Kalen and Kwil scribble, scribe, rhyme and chime just like they did in the good old days.
Kwil and Kalen's passionate, purpose-filled work together in literacy, creativity and social-emotional learning began officially in 1993 when Kwil came to life in Kalen’s primary classroom and the Kwil Kids Publishing Centre was born in 1996 with the help of so many dedicated volunteers to whom every story, poem, book and reply letter are dedicated.
Sharing the words of the youngest Kwil Kids in the Kwil newsletter, newspaper column and on the "electronic highway" when this was a new and novel concept, was a dream come true made possible by an army of the most dedicated and enthusiastic parents and colleagues. The tumultuous "whirligig of time" will never erase the giggling gratitude or meaning-filled memories. (If you're wondering, YES, I do mean YOU . . . and YOU. . . and YOU! Thank YOU!)
Kalen Marquis may be contacted through his private counselling practice at KalenMarquis.com or by sending an email. His deepest wish is to positively and proactively champion the fullest and most fulfilling potential of each and every 'human bean' at every age and stage of life.
