On January 5, students in Eric Jepson's Block 2 9th grade English class at El Cerrito High gathered with WCC site coordinator Maureen Dixon and her Thursday Block 2 coaching team to celebrate the semester of working together that is about to conclude. Coaches provided a festive batch of comestibles and the party was under way, outside on the Quad.
Some students provided hand-written expressions of thanks to their coaches. Here are Maureen and student Philisha Knox, with Philisha's colorful blast of heartfelt artwork appropriate to the occasion:
The full panoply of students and coaches, with Maureen and Mr. Jepson, in a vibrant lineup on the Quad:
Below are the stars who make it happen for Mr. Jepson's Thursday Block 2 English class.
Front Row (l. to r.): Frank Kidner, Leslie Cohen, Bob Coates, Eric Jepson (teacher), Dave Weinstein, Kathy Roehl, Virginia Lim.
Back Row (l. or r.): Katie Yarnold, Nicole Morris, Paul Epstein, Maureen Dixon (WCC site coordinator), Ken Berniker, Renee Perry.
Leaders of the pack: Below, WCC El Cerrito High site co-coordinator Maureen Dixon and teacher Eric Jepson enjoy some class time in the sun. Mr. Jepson is a staunch supporter of WCC, one of the reasons the program just sings in its second year at ECHS.
If you sense a connection between student and writer coach leaping out of the picture below of Melany Puentes (l.) and coach Leslie Cohen, you aren't alone.
The best part about a gathering like this is the chance to hear the students talk about what it means to them to work with their coaches, to get this individual writing support from people who care so much about them. Student Kenyatta Marcelus remarked, "It's more than a connection. It's a relationship. When it's one on one with someone you know, you work harder, and you take feedback better." Here's Kenyatta with a three-word essay ("I love writing") that conveys a world of feeling:
How could anyone resist working with students who are so eager to get the help?
Bob Menzimer