I just wanted to reiterate some of the great things I have seen in my classroom because of WriterCoach Connection.
When I started this semester, I quickly identified about five students who were going to need some serious intervention in the terms of their writing, engagement, and classroom confidence. These students were kids who would not come in to receive one-on-one tutoring during lunch. These were kids who would act out in class, and act like it is cool not to do their work, because their skills were so low, and they did not want anyone to notice that they were behind. I racked my brains for what I could do to help these kids. Then I met Lynda Frank, who was heading the writer coach group that was going to work with my kids. Lynda was like an answer to prayer: she, and the program, gave me a way to get those at risk students the help they needed, without drawing extra attention to them, or making them feel self-conscious.
The writer coaches also allowed me to be confident that my students could do higher level assignments and achieve great results. I have loved seeing the coaches come in every Friday, and my students reacting. I saw some jump with joy, because they were so excited to be working with someone who was there to give them their full attention and praise. I saw others, mostly the five I mentioned above, try and hide their delight at seeing their coaches by making comments like, "Ugh, do I have to, he/she doesn't let me get away with anything." I believe it was this feeling, that their coaches not only cared but were going to help me hold them responsible, that helped those students grow in their writing/communication skills and their classroom behavior.
I cannot thank WriterCoach Connection enough. They have truly been a blessing. I hope to be able to work with them again.
Madison Schmalz, teacher, El Cerrito High School
And here she is, the dedicated teacher who wrote this moving testimony,
speaking eloquently at the appreciation party she, her fellow teachers, and ECHS administrators hosted for our coaches on May 30, as described in the post below.
Bob Menzimer