After decades of being in public education, my annual rhythm included 180 days of close contact with students and provided me with an important position in my community. I enjoyed working with young people, day in, day out, five days a week for 40 weeks, for 45 years. Such a schedule causes one to be comfortable meeting new students and forming relationships while working through a process and finalizing a product. It also creates a void when that structure is gone.
To find myself retired, for the second time, moved away from friends and family into a new community, as a senior citizen, I felt out of place. I’m a social creature who’s been a part of every aspect of school and students, and loved every minute of it. I needed to find a connection to my new community, preferably a connection familiar to me. Then, there it was! I saw a press release, seeking volunteers to coach students with writing. It’s a godsend, it’s a sign, an omen just for me.
Being a writing coach gives me purpose. I’m happy to be accepted into a school, a sacred place, a place that needs to be kept safe and secure. I greet my students and their teachers with a respectful, cheerful calm and an open heart. I remember the stress of meeting the needs of 125 students. So, I am excited to listen to what they have to say and support them for having the courage to share their written work. I hope that our coaching lightens the teacher’s load and sparks student interest.
In the past I’ve done research on writing motivation. Why do students write? Is it to satisfy curiosity, seek information, self reflect, relieve boredom, or gain social recognition? In most cases, it’s a combination of these elements; so it’s exciting for me to listen to student work and ask clarifying questions to stimulate student thought. I care deeply about students and I work to promote understanding, facilitated with kindness and the gift of time given by our volunteers. Students are our future and we need to be relevant to them, so that they are willing to care about us as we age. I’m grateful for Writing Coaches Of Montana, because this nonprofit allows me and the volunteers to cultivate connections within our community.
