Mike Bertram

Mike Bertram—known to his students as “Mr. B”—has spent over 20 years inspiring young minds as a third-grade teacher in New Jersey. In his classroom, the B-Hive, he uses poetry to help students celebrate their differences, build confidence, and find their voices.

Beyond the classroom, Mr. B is a celebrated spoken word poet and performer. A member of the legendary Nuyorican Poets Cafe 2005 Poetry Slam Team, an HBO Def Poet, and the 2008 Southern Fried Individual Slam Champion, he’s performed nationwide and led creative writing workshops for students of all ages.

Rooted in his hometown of Rahway, New Jersey, Mr. B partners with local organizations to create spaces where art brings people together.

His books, Said the Paper to the Pen and Said the Pen to the Paper (co-written with, Rosa Cuna, one of his third graders), invite readers to step inside the magic of the B-Hive—where learning, laughter, and poetry come to life.