Charles Burress is a former staff writer with the San Francisco Chronicle and current editor of the online El Cerrito Patch. As WriterCoach Connection gained steam last fall in its inaugural year at El Cerrito High School, Charles wanted to communicate the experience of being a new WCC volunteer to his Patch readers. I thought his words would really resonate for anyone who is thinking about signing up to be a WCC volunteer; they almost certainly echo the experience of many veteran writer coaches. Here's what Charles had to say:
"When I volunteered last year to be a 'writing coach' for young teens in Berkeley and Albany schools, I immediately began to fear I'd made a big mistake.
"I'd never done such a thing and had no idea how to go about it. I pictured myself nervous and flummoxed by bored, fidgety youngsters who had a thousand other things they'd rather be doing.
Luckily, however, I had signed up with a terrific East Bay program called WriterCoach Connection. No previous experience was necessary, and after two well-crafted training sessions, I was issued my ID and a starting date at Martin Luther King Jr. Middle School in Berkeley.
"I was still nervous in that first one-on-one coaching session, but I quickly discovered that the training had prepared me well. The students were listening and responding. Their willingness to follow through and apply the suggestions they heard varied, of course, but the great majority of them were tuned in and eager to learn.
"By the time I finished several weeks later, I had developed a keen interest in how 'my kids' were progressing. The delight I felt in seeing their work gradually improve was much greater than I would have predicted, and I still remember moments of discovery and increased self-confidence that brightened their faces.
"I'm recalling my experience now because I want to encourage interested readers to consider making a difference in a young person's life.
"Don't worry about not knowing how to go about it. Having begun ten years ago in Berkeley, the program has evolved a surprisingly effective training program -- consisting of two sessions -- that prepares the volunteer coaches well. The training is also an enjoyable way to meet some of the fellow coaches. My sessions even had free cookies.
"Many of us can recall a single sentence or piece of advice that some adult told us when we were young that left a lasting impression on our minds, perhaps on our lives. The adults, however, seldom know when they've planted such a seed.
"WriterCoach Connection, in my view, offers a rich garden where the guidance of adults may enjoy a much higher yield.
"The harvest, as it should be, belongs chiefly to the youth -- an increased ability to find their own voice, to express themselves more effectively and to take pride in their work.
"But there are rewards for the adults too."
When Charles looks up from his vantage point as a WCC volunteer, this is what he sees: pairs of students and coaches in the King writer-coaching room, working intently on the teacher's assignment, focused on the development of the students' writing and critical thinking skills.
Many thanks to Charles for sharing his experience as a WCC volunteer!
Bob Menzimer