Our annual program assessment includes surveys of the students we coach. The comments below, from the 2010-11 surveys, particularly highlight the development of students' analytical skills, the building of students' confidence as writers, and the impact of the individual connection that is a key to our program's effectiveness.
Developing critical thinking skills
- She encourages me to think more deeply about my ideas.
- It was very helpful and encourages me to think more deeply and add more feeling into my writing.
- We have conversations about the topic and get ideas from the deep thought of the conversation.
- They say things like "writing is like excercizing except only with your hands and mind." It's very helpful to know that because it encourages me to become more imaginative.
- I was a strong writer before, but my coach got me to an even deeper and more complicated way of writing.
- He's definitely encouraged me to define my meanings/terms to have the reader understand my writing more.
- Working with a writer coach has changed how clearly I write and what concepts to include when.
- I write more thoughtfully, take my time, and understand more.
- The writing coach made it easier to get those thoughts deep in my brain out on paper.
Building confidence in student writers
- I felt more confident in my writing when my coach helped me.
- I hate writing but my coach makes me like what I write and want to work on it.
- After working with my coach I feel like everything is clearer and I know what I want to write.
- It has worked, it often makes me realize that I'm actually a good writer and it helps me develop more writing skills.
- She makes me feel special about my writing.
- Helped me write more professionally and how to write with more ease.
- I still hate writing, but now I can write more than a two-paragraph essay!
Leveraging the one-on-one writer-coach connection
- My writing coach listens to me and helps me understand things that confuse me.
- After I got my coach I started thinking about making strong sentences, words. He helped me to express my feeling and write the essay. He gave some strategy on how to write essay, and check or re-read the essay every time after I am done with it.
- It's so helpful. Sometimes my notes are very cluttered and all over the place. Also, she asks me how I'm doing and stuff like that, making it more personal.
- I've always loved writing and it is great to share my ideas with someone who loves it just as much as I do. In the end I think it makes my writing better.
- I could see things that I would have never seen if I was alone.
- She is very kind, helpful, and encouraging. She seemed genuinely interested in my topic and gave great suggestions.
- She encouraged and believed in me.
- She told me to write from my heart.
Generating student motivation
- I have become more motivated to come to class.
- I used to get an inconsistent grade on essays, and with the help of my writing coach, my grade rose.
- I am starting to pay more attention to how I write.
- It has made me want to strive for excellence in my writing.
Words that power the coaches
- It was super-dee-duper helpful.
- They should have more coaches!
- A wonderful program. Thank you to all of the coaches for volunteering their time.
- I think every school should use this method.
- It's a great program. Very sad to leave.
- I love my coach!
Bob Menzimer