So I put my dissertation within the stack of National Writing Project authors that I admire. I am working on a chapter on the power of digital writing highlighting tools and strategies I use with my students. My work, like many other writers, stands on the work of others. My involvement in the San Diego Area Writing Project has defined my work in literacy and equity for over a decade. I have presented across the country, written articles, created writing camps, and written curriculum, all with the focus of discovering innovative methods and strategies to empower and amplify student voices. I have discovered that these connections and work have allowed me to empower and now once again amplify my own voice. I have some new things to share, and I am so excited to take on this challenge once again.
As I look to returning to campus this summer and fall, I am currently focused on creating a literacy program that builds upon the strengths of students as they return to campus, not their deficits, perceived or otherwise. What are we willing to do to help students redevelop a strong relationship with learning? It all begins with our own mindset. Powerful and meaningful assessment tools are essential in developing a plan for teaching and learning. Acceleration, not remediation is the key as we come back to campus and create new and better learning environments. But we need to be careful in how we not only assess but how we focus the lens to give our students the greatest chance to not only fill some gaps but accelerate the learning. It is about what we have lost, but instead, what do we need to do moving forward to make the greatest gains? I am looking to mentors such as Troy Hicks, Paul Hankins, Penny Kittle, and Kelly Gallagher as writing project teacher-researchers to help me create empowering spaces for learning and share them broadly.
I have been thinking a lot lately about how I can bring my own work to life, out of the tomb of the dissertation book, and into the hands of teachers. Yesterday I spent hours focused on reviewing my own text and research, and I have discovered that my years in coaching students as they improve their literacy has given me the experience to view this work with a new eye, and I am excited to share what I have learned. So look to this space I am have decided to write articles and blog posts that share the many concepts and ideas from this work rather than tying it to a book format. A book may still come from this work, but there are many ideas that I have put into the work that needs to be shared broadly, at this moment, without the constraints of a long publishing process. There is something exciting on the horizon, it has been a long winding path to this clarity, but I can’t wait to take you on this journey.