NYC public school teacher ditches her classroom to pursue a lifelong dream — and is making bank

New York Post - May 3rd, 2025

Shana Roark, a former NYC public school teacher, left her teaching job to pursue her passion for poetry, writing personalized poems for strangers on the streets of New York City. Set up with her 1969 Olivetti Lettera 32 typewriter, she charges $55 for in-person poems and $125 for those requested via text. Roark's unique service has become a full-time endeavor, allowing her to connect deeply with her clients, many of whom seek poems to commemorate events or seek philosophical insights. Her ability to capture emotions and moments has garnered her a loyal following, with some customers becoming repeat patrons.

Roark's poetic journey reached new heights when a viral Instagram video led to a surge in subscribers for her mail service, The Poem Club, jumping from 200 to over 2,000. Despite challenges, including stolen typewriters and occasional harassment, Roark remains dedicated to her craft. Her story exemplifies the resilience and creativity of street artists in New York City, transforming a simple street corner setup into a thriving business. This venture underlines the universal appeal of poetry and its power to connect people across various walks of life.

Viral Video Central Park Poetry Shana Roark Nyc Public School Teacher Street Poet Olivetti Lettera 32 Williamsburg The Poem Club

Story submitted by Fairstory

RATING

6.2

Moderately Fair

Read with skepticism

The article paints an engaging portrait of Shana Roark's transition from a public school teacher to a street poet in New York City. It effectively captures her passion and entrepreneurial spirit, offering readers an inspiring narrative. However, the story's reliance on Roark's personal accounts and lack of diverse sources limits its balance and source quality. While the article is clear and engaging, its impact is primarily motivational rather than informative or policy-driven. The story's timeliness and ability to engage readers are strengths, but its public interest and potential for controversy are limited. Overall, the article serves as an entertaining human-interest piece with moderate accuracy and transparency.

Accuracy

The story presents a generally accurate account of Shana Roark's career transition from teaching to street poetry, supported by her own statements and online presence. Claims about her business model, such as pricing for poems and the existence of The Poem Club, align with details available on her website and social media profiles. However, specific financial figures, like the number of poems written per day and total income, lack external verification and rely solely on Roark's claims. The anecdotal elements, such as the medical student's story and interactions with passersby, are vivid but unverifiable, affecting the overall precision. The age mentioned might be inconsistent with the timeline of her career, suggesting a minor inaccuracy.

Balance

The article predominantly focuses on Roark's perspective, detailing her journey and experiences as a street poet. While this provides an in-depth look at her personal story, it lacks alternative viewpoints, such as feedback from customers or opinions from the local community about her presence on NYC streets. The narrative could benefit from a broader range of perspectives to offer a more balanced view of her impact and reception.

Clarity

The article is well-written, with a clear and engaging narrative that captures Roark's story effectively. The language is accessible, and the structure follows a logical progression from her background to her current endeavors. Despite some unverifiable claims, the overall presentation is coherent and easy to follow, maintaining reader interest.

Source quality

The story heavily relies on Roark's direct quotes and personal anecdotes, which, while engaging, limit the diversity of sources. There is no indication of interviews with third parties or external validation from independent sources. This reliance on a single primary source can affect the perceived reliability and impartiality of the reporting.

Transparency

The article provides limited context about the methodology used to gather information. It does not disclose any potential conflicts of interest or the process behind verifying Roark's claims. The lack of transparency about how information was obtained and verified leaves readers without a clear understanding of the article's basis.