Many of our writer coaches have had the experience: We think we're not making an impression on a student. We see the signs -- crossed arms, head hidden in a hoodie, mumbled replies, at best, to our questions about the student's writing assignment. But we're often surprised.
Take the middle-school student who recently was working with one of our coach volunteers in Berkeley. The student didn't appear to be engaged with the coaching process, but the coach wouldn't give up. She sensed an opening relating to the topic of the student's paper, suggested a website linking to the topic, went home and found a related photograph on line, and presented it to the student at the next coaching session.
At the end of the year, the student handed the coach a thank-you note that said, "When I saw that you were making an effort, I thought I should, too."
We often tell coaches they're making more of an impact than they think, and this story is a case in point.
Bob Menzimer
