After school I went to my friend Jami’s house. It’s been too long since we’ve seen each other and I found myself looking forward to Monday afternoon all weekend . I called her after lunch today and said, “Will you share the beginning of your YA fiction with me if I share my first chapter with you?”
“I wanted to talk about writing with you too,” she said, “I feel rusty and I don’t have much of a start, but sure.”
When Jami and I first met we weren’t friends. She was a student in my seventh grade block three language arts class. It was the most eclectic group of students I ever taught. I learned so much about adolescents and teaching writing from them. This class is one of the reasons I wrote Day by Day. The book is dedicated to four students “who taught me not only the power of writing workshop, but to believe in myself as a teacher.” Jami is one of these students.
She is now married, has a six month old son, and still writes. Today her husband came home from work to find us sitting on the couch, each holding the other’s laptop, reading the opening chapters. Their son kicked and giggled at his toys on the floor. I have to admit, I kind of wanted to kick up my heels and giggle too. How cool is it that after writing together in a seventh grade language arts class, a friendship formed and we still share our writing?
This is why I teach in a writing workshop. It matters. Not only do students become more proficient writers, but they learn their voices matter. They work their ways into my heart and learn I care about them. Sometimes this connection stays with them. Sometimes they remember our work together after they walk out of my classroom. And if I’m really lucky, like I was today, I get to see the impact I make. That’s enough to keep me fighting for writing workshop. Every student deserves to be part of this kind of community; every teacher deserves to know best practice instruction is worth fighting for.
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I missed this post, but am glad I found it. How cool is this–sharing your adult writing with one of your, now adult, former students. Again, Mitch and Tony should be reading Two Writing Teachers to really see what teaching is all about!
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What an awesome story! So, what did each of you have to say to the other about your writing? That would make an interesting video posted to your site.
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1. If Barb doesn’t comment on this, she’s crazy!!! 🙂
2. Someday–maybe–that will be us with Allie. *sigh*
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DC!: 29/31
Bonnie
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How inspiring! It’s this kind of enduring learning, these relationships that matter. Thanks for sending just the boost I need this week before spring break!
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What a special moment. I am glad that you sliced about it. I especially loved how you shared the glimpse her husband would have seen walking in.
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That is so cool! I hope I get that opportunity someday! You are awesome/1
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It’s just so very special to get to know your students as they grow up, & when they’re grown. What a lovely story about you, showing what a teacher you must be.
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To quote you: wow! wow! wow!
I have nothing more to say. 🙂
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What an awesome moment. This is what it is all about.
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How wonderful and unique. I love the fact that you were able to keep in contact with a former student. I like the line “They work their way inside my heart”. What a special teacher you are.
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