Presenting Writer’s Workshop: A chance to share my work, my passion, my vision

Posted on Mar 04 2009 at 4:49 PM

I throw my bag over my shoulder, dig for my keys, and am halfway out the door when I hear an “Oh, Mollie I was meaning to ask you…” With cold air now circling in, I pause and wait for the request. “Next Friday is CLT (the collaborative learning team meeting), I was planning to introduce your Writer’s Workshop model to all the staff… would you like to help present?” My Writer’s Workshop? My messy, work-in-progress, learning as I go, first time ever, totally new to me too Writer’s Workshop? “Of course!” I blurt out, then twirl around and am out the door.

I toss (more like heave) my school bag—my life—into the passenger seat and turn on the ignition. Pulling out, I replay her question and my immediate response over again in my mind. Present my Writer’s Workshop? Me, the student teacher, to all of you, the experienced, mentor, master teachers? Are you sure? She mentioned their focus was on new models of teaching that reflect best practice. Yes, this is my vision. I hope to one day be teaching and sharing my theory and practice on how to best teach writing (workshop style) to inspire, inform, and engage all students in such an artistic craft, a deep way of knowing and connecting to the world, a means of thinking, exploring, and communicating… writing as a lifestyle. So yes. I’m thrilled! I just didn’t expect this opportunity to come upon me quite so quickly.

***

Friday morning arrives. Without much thought or preparation, I ask Miss. Jones “the plan” for our presentation this afternoon. She reaches for the pile of bright colored folders sitting on her desk. Inside, all my work: handouts, assessments, sample lesson plans, resources… the quick start-up kit for Ms. Dickson’s Writer’s Workshop. Wow, the only thought I can manage to process right now. Will they love it? Reject it? Will they even listen to a “student teacher”? And the big question: will they use it in the way it is intended—as a resource (one of many), a collection of ideas, a jumping off point, a glance into one model of Writer’s Workshop that can be adapted, tweaked, and shaped to fit their personal style and meet the needs of their students? Or will it be, to my greatest fear, like fast-food delivery—picked up, dished out, chewed up, and spit out? I will make every effort to ensure that the ladder is not even an option. I will invite teachers to enter in, look around, experiment, change, and play until they find their Writer’s Workshop, one that they own, that they sink into comfortably, that is hand-made for their classroom of writers… and, if it’s anything like mine, one that is continuously evolving and revolving to find its ideal form, every day growing into its vibrant colors, every day discovering its true character. Because like I said, it’s a lifestyle.

***

I slip into a corner desk, still unsure how I will juggle this relationship—student teacher teaching teachers—and deliver a valuable, informative, and accessible presentation. Miss. Jones begins with the welcome and a brief overview of the agenda: me. And without another wasted moment (because really, teachers do not have these to waste), I am pulled into the spotlight. Here I go. Smoothly, passionately, and with intention I describe my purpose and procedures for Writer’s Workshop. All the right words, answers to questions, theoretical support, and practical examples flow naturally, escaping my lips before I even have a chance to second-guess them. And as I conclude, I look around the room: eager nods, energy, sincere appreciation for my sharing, teachers viewing me as a colleague, and soaking it all in. I don’t think it could have gone any better if I had planned and prepared for it.

Sitting graciously back in my desk around the circle, I pick up a piece of notebook paper that had been passed around (a list of names, teachers who would like to receive my powerpoint), and on it are notes: Mollie, you are a dynamic presenter, and I appreciate the passion and love you obviously have for your subject. Thank you Mollie! You’re a terrific teacher and, I imagine, a really effective creative writer. Mollie~ Awesome presentation. Thanks for sharing your passion for writing and making Writer’s Workshop accessible to all of us! My smile spreads, warming my whole body. They heard me.

Today, I opened my heart, stood vulnerable, and shared my work, my passion, my vision. Today, I am a teacher.

Back

Comments

None Found

Add Comment