Lessons from My Students

I, like Karen, want my students to see themselves as writers.  Right now, I’m neck-deep in grading my first batch of essays for the year, a writing reflection project that asks students to examine how technology has affected their writing.  During class discussions surrounding this project, I have come to realize the extent to which my students are already writers: […]

When the Student is Not Ready

When the student is ready, the teacher appears. That proverb was once my mantra. On the days early in my career when I would leave class with an aching head and a sore throat, I would surrender to forces beyond my control all the shrugging, eye rolling, discouraging responses, and awkward, if not chaotic, offerings I had received in response to my assignments, advice, and exhortations.  That  ageless wisdom offered me the […]

What I Know for Sure – Oprah

As I move into my third week teaching an advanced writing class to juniors and seniors on my campus, most of whom have recently finished a degree at a community college and are now transferring into the four-year system, I’ve found myself reflecting more on my teaching of writing. At the beginning of every semester, I ask my students to […]

High School: Day One

This morning, as I greeted a new batch of ninth graders into my first block English class, I knew I wasn’t the only one with transition on the mind. I’m sure it was a shock to all of us to hear that alarm clock ring so early in the morning, officially transitioning us out of our summer slumber to face […]

Thinking about Process

Two decades ago, my mentor, Sherrie Gradin, made the comment in English 617: Teaching College English that she wished teachers would stop referring to the process of writing as THE Writing Process, as if there were one magical process that would enable all students to write amazing essays.  What Sherrie wanted us to think about was that everyone has his […]