Students Reflect on Writer’s Workshop

Posted on Jun 16 2009 at 4:18 PM

The following are a collection of quotes from my students (taken from an end of the year evaluation and thank you letters). Reading through their comments, I was brought to tears.  Their words are reminders for the impact we, as teachers, make in the lives of our students every single day. These are the reasons we do what we do!

“Writing is a new life for me. Learning so much in so little time, but remembering every little detail. Expressing my feelings in poetry and stories… beginning the best writing adventure in the world.” ~Matt

“Poems are my newly found passion! You freed my true voice. You unlocked my potential.” ~Kristina

“I am one of the students that Mollie Dickson has changed the life of. When she started teaching, it was like music to my ears, just the way she read, spoke, and stood was proof that she was something special. She made learning fun by having the stories or letters we wrote actually affect the world around us in ways I would never have thought possible. She reawakens your senses and uncovers talents that you never knew you contained. Time flew and I never really thought that I was doing an assignment; I was just writing.” ~Beth

“Now I can hear myself in my writing.” ~Katie

“Thank you for opening your mind and showing your creative side. Thank you for sharing your smile with me everyday. Thank you for passing the power of knowledge and showing your love for it. I believe that you have helped me become who I am. And I believe that you will dance through life, and keep on passing the power of knowledge.” ~Maggie

“Now I feel like what I write is important and I want to share it with the world.” ~Jessica

“You are the only person who has got me to open up in my writing and write about something I really care about.” ~Greg

“Now I actually understand writing and how it’s about expressing your feelings, not just to get the assignment over with. I like to write about my problems. I like to do that because it feels like a stress relief and I can let everything out.” ~Tanner

“Some days I don’t want to go to school; but then I remember that we might have Writer’s Workshop. Then I get ready for school excited for Writer’s Workshop! It brightens my day, each and every day!” ~Ashley

“Thank you for making Writer’s Workshop my favorite class of 6th grade. I learned to express myself and take risks with writing. I learned to dig deep and release my true writing.” ~Steven

“I have gotten SO much better at writing. I have compared stories from before you were here and they were horrible! Now I’m pretty good.” ~Jill

“Before you taught me, I couldn’t stand writing. But now I love it! I find myself writing all the time. Now I have whole notebooks of poems and stories at home!” ~Isabelle

“You taught me self-respect—to be good to others and to never back down.” ~Cathy

“You changed the way I feel about writing. I used to hate writing, but now I feel I am a better writer who loves to write! I wish you luck for the years to come, and remember to chase your dreams (I learned that from you)!” ~Candace

“I had a lot of fun writing with you. I will keep in contact through email, to send you some of the pieces that I write in the future (I know you will like that).” ~Laura

“I used to despise writing, but now I love it!” ~Billy

“I remember when you were telling me how to write around the figures with the words. You were actually showing me with your hands, not just telling. I really like that about you. You make my mind flow with creative juices.” ~Joey

“Passion for writing, dancing, and most importantly, teaching. You have made me a much better writer than I thought I could ever be.” ~Amy

“At the beginning of the year, I dreaded writing assignments and anything that had to do with writing. I remember that you had us hold up our hands rating writing from one to five. I said about one or two. You have changed my mind about writing. I think it’s interesting and fun to do. Now I rate writing a five.” ~Danny

“I’ve improved so much as a writer this year. Now I use more detail, emotion, and literary devices to capture the reader’s interest.” ~Cassie

“I think this year I have become a much better writer than last year, and I actually ENJOYED it for once!” ~Seth

“Now I want to write. I don’t think of it as a stupid thing anymore.” ~Scott

“When I write, I feel like I need to just keep on writing.” ~Cassie

“I think my greatest strength as a writer is that I’m not afraid to spill my heart and soul into my work.” ~Sally

“I was diminishing into nothing, and I needed help. Road bumps became mountains; I worried more. I was lost, angry, confused, helpless; I fought; I stressed; I screamed; I cried. I did worse in school and doubted that I would ever feel normal again. Then, you came along. You taught me to do what I had been struggling to do for too long: to express myself. You taught me how to create beautiful poetry. Now I realize who I am. Now I have a reason to smile. Now I can let go of stress. Now I have faith in myself. Now I don’t scream for no reason. Now I feel free. You gave me the gift of being aware of who I am and being able to express it. And for that, I am forever thankful. You changed me for good.” ~Sarah

So for all the moments I wonder how I can even make it, I will just look at my students and rest assured. They are the reason I am a teacher.

Back

Comments

None Found

Add Comment