I'm always seeking out gifts for fellow teachers. This year, I’m featuring work created by members of our Two Writing Teachers community. Today’s post features a “wish list” of books that our co-authors have written, along with a call for publications written by you, our TWT members!
Tag: teaching
TWT Blog Recap #ICYMI
Have you missed out on the amazing articles published over the last couple of weeks? Don't worry, we've got you covered with this recap. We'll also preview what's happening with Two Writing Teachers over the winter holiday season.
The Best Gifts for the Student Writers in Your Life
This year, Lainie Levin offers another perspective on holiday gift-giving - intangible things students could all use more of: To my students, I’m wrapping your gifts with love and sending them to you with a giant bow on top.
Don’t Let It Fade: Holding Onto the Magic of NCTE 2024
Knowing that the ideas I’ve gathered and the knowledge I’ve gained at NCTE are so important and impactful, I’ve begun shifting my focus during the week between the conference and Thanksgiving to how I’m going to sustain my learning once the dust from the holiday weekend settles.
Reflections From NCTE 2024
I know that attending NCTE is a privilege, and I do my best to share what I learn with anyone and everyone who I can touch in some way, shape, or form. If you have ANY questions or interest in more about what I’ve written, please reach out. Connecting with passionate educators fuels me now more than ever.
Ending the Year With Grace: From the Archives
This time of year is a frenzied leap from task to task, without the joy or benefit of reflection. So, for today’s “From the Archive” post, I thought I’d slow myself down long enough to explore ways to savor and enjoy these last days with my students. Enjoy!
Reclaiming Joy in Writing: An Update
In the spring of 2022, I started a writing initiative in my district. With a cohort of dedicated teachers, we worked to instill joy, foster independence, and create writing community. Where are we now?
Joyful Offerings: Poems of Gratitude
This season offers the time and opportunity to practice gratitude. Today, I'd like to share two of my favorite poetry exercises for reflection and appreciation.
Reclaiming Joy: Effecting System-Wide Change in Writing Instruction
In 2022, I found myself discouraged, restless, and in need of a challenge. Read to learn how I embarked on a journey to transform writing instruction in my district. I'll share the work that laid our foundation, offer ideas to try, and I'll preview what's to come for our district.
Silence is Golden: The Value of Wordless Text
I have to face facts: February is a SLOG for me as a writing teacher. We’re just past the point of knowing the expectations and settling into our routine, but we’re just not quite to the point where all of the pieces start to fall together. There’s magic in the works, but oh! I’m just waiting for it to happen. Now is about the time of year when I’m looking for something - anything! - to get us out of the rut we’re in, spark our creativity, and work on some of that classroom magic I’m seeking. And for me, one of my favorite sources is wordless texts. Animated shorts, wordless books, you name it! They’re perfect for so many reasons. Today, I’ll share some of the ways I love using wordless texts for writers of all strengths and levels of readiness.
The Best Gifts for the Writing Teacher in Your Life
Now is the time of year where I find endless gift lists online: what to get the foodie or the music guru or the athlete or the you-name-it in your life. In that same spirit, I’ve chosen to curate a gift list for teachers of writing, and the folks that support them. I know there are lots of lists for writers out there already. Many suggest pens, headphones, or comfy chairs, but my list is different. Being a poet at heart, I tend to live in metaphor. My list, then, is a collection of things writing teachers owe ourselves and one another - a collection we can’t find on Amazon or Etsy, no matter what search terms we use. So, without further ado, here are my recommendations...
Taming the Clutter: Bringing Focus to Professional Learning
Sometimes, I am overwhelmed with the amount of new learning about writing that I wish to incorporate. I’ve come to realize I’m not alone. I’m not the only person with more resources and ideas than they know what to do with, and I‘m not the only one who risks inertia because I don’t know where to start. If that’s also you, or someone you know and love, I’ll be sharing my process for how I work my way to more clarity and focus.

