I started this blog, Lit Bits and Pieces: Snippets of Learning and Life at the end of March 2016. At the time I was supporting elementary teachers with the implementation of writer’s workshop. In my own ongoing search for resources to share, I discovered the Two Writing Teachers site, a veritable treasure trove of ideas, recommendations, experiences, and, most of all, encouragement for teachers to first be writers themselves. This resonated deeply with me for several reasons, beginning with the logic of the thing: How can one teach writers without BEING a writer? Truth is, this been happening forever, so let me rephrase: How can one be an EFFECTIVE teacher of writers, without being a writer? Without walking the walk in real-writer shoes, wrestling with ideas, hammering out clunky sentences until these ideas shine, spawning new ideas even in the act (the wondrous alchemy of the true process)?
The answer’s pretty obvious.
Furthermore, most fellow teachers I encountered felt that they weren’t “good” at teaching writing (language matters; we would soon shift this concept to teaching writers) and that they weren’t “good” writers themselves. Dare I say this had more to do with the way we were/were not taught when we were in school, or how we were shaped by our educational experiences with writing, i.e., as an inescapable (odious?) chore, or the simple fact that no one ever modeled the real (vibrant and powerful) process for us?
Ok, I’ll say it: All of the above.
I will also say that teacher feedback can change the world, one child’s heart at a time.
I was nine, just starting the fifth grade. My class had created “All About Me” booklets. In that era, teachers still wrote in red ink on student work (!!!!) but in this instance, it wasn’t bloody slashes, deconstruction, destruction. I’d written about my struggle with asthma, how it kept me from fully participating in physical activities like running. I described the medication my parents gave me in those pre-inhaler days: liquid Benadryl, “clearish red, and it burns like fire when I swallow it.” Alongside this paragraph, my teacher wrote: “What wonderful detail! You’re a strong writer. Keep writing!”
It was the first time my writing had ever been praised…the first time I recall any praise given to me in my early school years (there are certainly stories to tell about the times I was shamed by teachers; perhaps I’ll dust off those memories and let them live again, or maybe I’ll just let those old bones lie where they are). My point here is that in the very moment I read my teacher’s response, my writer-soul quickened. Writing would be a Presence in my life ever after. Writing would always seem to pursue me, draw me, push me, pull me. It would grow me. It would deepen me, sharpen my senses…I would learn things about myself I did not know. I would realize my affinity with nature. Writing would lead me over and over to awe.
It would lead me, in a roundabout way, to becoming an educator after my children were born and in school. It would lead me to supporting other educators in unique ways. It would lead me to create a blog to “practice what I preach” and enable me to join online writing communities like Two Writing Teachers, where educators write a Slice of Life Story every Tuesday and commit to a monthlong writing challenge every day in March. For, again: How can one be an effective teacher of writing without first being a writer?
There’s so much more to say about sharing our writing in community without judgment, about our stories connecting us in ways greater than blood and sinew, about empathy knitting our heartstrings together not merely to survive but to live. To overcome. To celebrate, to rejoice. To grieve, to rage. There is more to say about students coming to realize the power of their own ideas and their own voices through writing, alongside teachers who are doing the same. There is more to say about the brokenness of systems—educational, governmental, societal, fill in the blank.
Here’s where I’ll stop this post, but not my writing…I may rest for a season or two, but I shall never stop writing, because it is, like prayer, the impetus of growth and change for the better.
Starting from within.
*******
with thanks and love to all at Two Writing Teachers, with the advent of the March Slice of Life Story Challenge this Friday. Join and prepare to share...find your writing, your teaching, your heart, your life, transformed.
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lit bits and pieces 
This is a powerful slice on the power of writing. ALL is so well said. This line is sticking with me:
our stories connecting us in ways greater than blood and sinew, about empathy knitting our heartstrings together not merely to survive but to live.
I too am SO glad I started writing and I’m looking forward to this MARCH!!! Like you also state, it will be a omtn of pure growth!
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I have missed your voice in my life. I haven’t decided yet if I’m doing the challenge. I’ve probably done it for more than 10 years. Reading your post is motivating. Usually I commit to two months because I also write every day in April as well. Am I up for it this year? I’ve been talking myself out of it. Would you be willing to be my partner? I think one of my biggest hang ups is “will anyone read it?” and “do I have time to comment”. So if we can commit to each other?… is this asking too much?
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MARGARET… I have been thinking all these exact things. I haven’t written a lot lately. I have been consumed by many things… I am not sure I am up f
to the March challenge and of course I want to write for poetry month… yet today I signed on. I am here for you, friend. Yes. We can do this together!
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Thanks for the encouragement!
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Please write – I read all your posts. Come join us.
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Your post comes at just the right moment as I struggle with whether I (still) have anything important to say! Yet those simple comments and the sincere connections are a powerful encouragment!
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So many of us seem to be on the fence, maybe concerned about the energy it takes to sustain the Challenge. I really thought I would not and then, suddenly, today, I signed up. Almost immediately, I felt energy returning. -Writing magic! You will – we all will – always have something important to say, for every observation or encounter or imagining or still moment spent in contemplation is a precious moment spent being alive. Surprises await, says Writing!
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I am also feeling all the above commenters describe! PLUS- I hope everyone in the challenge who is currently teaching writers (see what I did there?) will remember your paragraph about remembering the exact words and look of that compliment from your teacher decades ago. Yes, teachers matter and do create change in the world, often by very small moments such as this.
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This is a gorgeous testament to the power of writing and community! I’m delighted you are part of this community, Fran. You’ve nurtured many of us with your thoughtful comments through the years. I speak for many Slicers when I say that I am looking forward to writing alongside you in March.
BTW: As soon as I typed the first letter of my comment in the “leave a comment” box, the “comment” button turned blue. It remained grayed-out when I was using WP’s Jetpack app. Super strange! Glad I could comment from my PC.
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Thank you, Stacey, for these words (I treasure them) and for ALL you do to support writers of all ages – you’re a visionary and I know this good work you do has infinite benefit. This community is a gift – I feel at home here. -That Jetpack! It’s given me a challenge or two as well!
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Fran, what a beautiful reflection. I love your vivid memory of describing Benadryl and your teacher’s positive remarks. Your desire to let the bones of the naysayers lie is wise too. I especially appreciate your description of writing and comparison to prayer in this line: “…I shall never stop writing, because it is, like prayer, the impetus of growth and change for the better.
Starting from within.”
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Denise, you are one of the most amazing encouragers I know. Thank you for your thoughtful response. Your words always roll with such grace!
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Ah, thank you, Fran. I wrote a Golden Shovel poem for Day 2 of #sol24 with your quote I mentioned in my comment. I’ve had it on my mind the last few days during the bleak news reports. https://twowritingteachers.org/2024/03/02/day2-sol24/
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Oops, I meant to leave the link to my post. https://mrsdkrebs.edublogs.org/2024/03/01/slice-of-life-2-a-golden-shovel-sol24/
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I am deeply grateful for this, Denise ❤
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Lovely post! Honest praise is so important in nurturing writers (of all ages). I hope to never stop writing as well.
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So well said! Thanks for stating this again. Teachers need to hear this. I worked with teachers years ago and had the same thoughts and issues you are voicing. Thanks for writing today!
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As others have said, this is a poignant post for so many reasons. I saw your name early this morning in the comments and when I sat down many hours later, I had to go read your words. I’m glad I did. I agree, writing, like prayer, is the impetus for growth and change for the better. Thank you, Fran.
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Thank you for being such a model of motivation. It is interesting that so many of us were on the fence this year. I had fully convinced myself I would not join, yet here I sit comfortably convinced.
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Thank you, Erika, for your reflections…I’ve been amazed to learn just how many Slicers have been on the fence this year. Does this speak to the toll our work is taking on us? To being spread too thin by life in general? To doubting our strength to sustain the Challenge or to offer anything of value? As I ponder I hear myself immediately countering every point with “That’s really a reason to write, not to refrain from it.” Like you, I had convinced myself I didn’t have it in me this year. Then some little thing – who knows what – broke loose inside of me and I decided to sign up. It was an instant shot of energy – I can and I will do this. I NEED to do this. So fascinating! Looking forward to writing alongside you!
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