Blog #5

 Reflecting what from what we have read for class, two texts have been really helpful and inspirational regarding my feedback analysis, Spandel's The 9 Rights of Every Writer and specifically the 5th chapter "Write Badly" and McAndrew and Reigstad's chapter 6 "What Tutoring Is -- Models and Strategies." Those two have been instrumental in my feedback process. Speaking from those two texts and my own experiences, I personally feel like honesty and giving students the confidence to keep writing are the two most instrumental. Lacking self-esteem makes writing and life in general such a hassle. Everything becomes increasingly more difficult and seems so more stressful than what we initially thought. Writing is a terrifying experience for students because of high expectations placed onto them by us and their teachers. We want them to always try their best, but in reality this task cannot always be attainable. Supporting them in matter their writing style or ability is a necessity. Giving students an outlet for expression and always making sure it is their idea that they writing about and not what we want them to write is crucial in developing their own writing style and skill. 

As for peers in their classrooms, we need to create environments that limit judgements, stereotyping, and lacks motivation. Establishing enthusiasm and learning strategies that every student should meet are keys to building the students into writers for themselves and the good of the classroom. I feel like reflection is something that I need to work on as a writing coach. I tend to see the passages and emails I get from students as "another assignment" which in reality it is, but it doesn't affect my grade alone, but the grade of another person. A living, breathing, feeling entity that I feel like I take for granted. As a coach, I need to work on reflecting and giving thoughtful answers instead of spewing out "garbage" to get through my assignment list. On the other hand, things I am proud of are my quick response time and way I am able to generate more ideas for the students. When the Thomas More students were giving me their draft ideas and drafts, I had them think more outside the box than in. I wanted them to really understand the concept of their pieces so I asked topic related questions instead of mechanical or writing-centered questions. 

As a teacher, I also feel like it would be easier to give advice and feedback because I will know the students on a personal level. I will create a general idea of what each student is good at or needs help with in my head. I can do this over email, but in a digital space, it is difficult to establish a connection. As of right now to me, that is the most pain-staking element with this process, the loss of human connection that makes writing feel easier. 

I don't know what link to really post, so I choice a YouTuber I really like and has great writing in her video essays. The topic's she picks are usually covered really well from top to bottom with what seems like no gaps from her research. Her writing has been super inspirational to me when writing research based material. https://www.youtube.com/@itsgabibelle