Because this business of becoming conscious, of being a writer, is ultimately about asking yourself, “How alive am I willing to be?” - Anne Lamott

“But I can’t spell”

In the summer of 2009, I taught the writing class at Academy of Hope that Marja Hilfiker, the academy’s co-founder, usually teaches. It is the most basic class the school offers, and students usually struggle with writing complete sentences, capitalization, and spelling. Before Marja left for the summer, she said: “Just because a student can’t spell doesn’t mean she’s not a writer.”

(Re)Writing the Status Quo

Later, I wrote an essay about teaching writing at Academy of Hope. It was published online in the National Gallery of Writing, a site sponsored by the National Council of Teachers of English. Click the title to read the essay: “The D2 Bus, The Red Line Train, and A Hop Through a Hole in the Fence: A Microcosmic Journey to Literacy.

Why Write?

Ultimately, the best way I know to express the reason I write–and teach others how to write–is this: My Writing Life.