Education
When my school announced its hybrid learning plan for the 2020-2021 school year I was angry and scared.
My daughter was going into 1st grade and it was still unclear what her district’s plan would entail.
I wracked my brain trying to figure out a better way for my family.
At the time, I was a full-time 8th grade English teacher with 13 years of experience in the classroom. I loved teaching but I realized it was time to resign.
I felt I had to resign to protect my family’s health.
At the same time, I realized this could be an incredible opportunity to support teachers around the world through my online business. I’ve been selling editable, digital tools to make reading and writing engaging through workshop for 8 years pre-COVID-19.
So, after many tears shed, conversations with my family and friends and sleepless nights, I resigned from my teaching position on June 30th, 2020.
I loved my school. It was the best school I ever worked for (I’ve worked for three others before). But, I had to make this tough decision because of the extreme situation we all find ourselves in.
Months after resigning, it still brings tears to my eyes thinking about turning away from a profession that I still deeply love.
I know that most teachers don’t have a business they can lean on during this time. Many teachers are in the very awful position of having no choice about whether or not to go back. This is such a painful situation to face and it’s exactly why I desperately want to help.
I want to support as many English teachers as I can through what they will be facing this school year.
I want to help teachers prioritize relationships, personal writing to investigate feelings, and reading books students are truly interested in reading on their own, not just for school.
Every teacher needs and deserves a support system right now and I hope that I can be a part of that system for you.
I read educational literature voraciously and enjoy writing about motivating students through workshop methods on this website. I’m from WA state and received my B.A. in English Literature with an emphasis in Humanities at Western Washington University. My obsession with reading and writing workshop started very early in my career. I’m passionate about sharing my expertise with any teacher who is interested in listening.
Philosophy
Every year is a unique and exciting challenge to inspire a new group of students to become avid readers and writers, in real life, not just in school.
I’m not a huge fan of scripted programs, worksheets, spelling tests, essays, or book reports.
Schools are dependent on these ways of teaching reading and writing, because, it’s all we’ve been taught, it’s all we know or everyone else is doing it.
I have used many methods to teach English until I realized through a lot of research and trial and error that teaching reading and writing is pretty simple with the following:
Structure
There are many ways to run a classroom but what is most vital is having a consistent structure in place.
Reading and writing workshop allow for choice and flexibility while also maintaining a predictable structure we can depend upon. That structure consists of a mini lesson, work time, time for conferences and closure.
I don’t follow this structure every single day.
I love changing things up and trying out new strategies but for the most part I use workshop. Having a common language and structure to build lessons and learning is so important in a classroom of 30+ students!
Purpose
I learned about Project Based Learning early in my career. I was immediately hooked.
Students should feel what they are doing is worthwhile, that it matters, that it will not be thrown in the recycling bin, placed in a filing cabinet, stamped without a second glance or stuffed into a take home mailbox.
PBL and simulations provide memorable learning experiences and the end results are something students can be proud of.
I don’t always follow PBL step by step or simulation lessons completely. But the philosophies behind both these methods of teaching guide much of what I do in the classroom because purpose in writing and in all subjects should be at the forefront of all teachers’ minds.
Passion
I haven’t always loved writing and only recently considered myself a writer when I started blogging on this website.
But, I’ve always loved telling students stories from my childhood, writing what I expect them to write, telling them about the books I love, and sharing details about my reading life.
Sharing my experiences, my stories and my process with students has been the key to connecting with them on a very real level about what it takes to be a reader and a writer.
I’ve always believed the following about instilling a love of reading and writing in my students:
- Writers need to be able to choose topics they feel strongly about.
- Readers need to be able to choose books they are excited to read.
- Writers need to feel their stories, experiences, and opinions matter.
- Readers and writers need passionate teachers who write and read alongside their students.
- Teachers need to listen to their students and involve them in the creation of a community that values the beauty and joy of reading and writing.
Personal
My husband, daughter and extended family who live in WA state all support me in countless ways. I love being outdoors hiking, biking and skiing. Meditation keeps me centered, calm, and kind. I always make time for reading and writing. I like to think I have a pretty good sense of humor and especially take pleasure in making my family, friends, colleagues and students laugh.
You can connect with me via live video sessions every month and get support with your craft by becoming a Workshop Teacher Member. Learn more by clicking the button below…