Experience Summary
As a journalist and teacher, I've always enjoyed getting the most out of the English language and passing that knowledge on to students of all ages. I base my teaching on the axiom that "writing is thinking," that the writing challenge brings out the best in us, and that we owe it to ourselves to take pride in our work, which means rigorous revision, self-editing and proofreading. My students learn the value of equating clarity with brevity, writing to include and not exclude, and following a writing process that emphasizes careful pre-writing, or brainstorming.
Teaching Style
When I teach writing, I emphasize -- and ensure that the students practice -- rewriting. Not even professional writers get it right the first time. I also encourage students to enrich their writing by reading as often as possible. Young people who take writing seriously are preparing for a successful college career. Post-secondary students who learn to write effectively are more employable than those who view writing as a technical obstacle. One of the most common complaints I hear about college graduates in the workplace is that they cannot write clearly and get to the point. I view writing as an extension of a conversation that I hold with all students. We talk, then we write.