Many children learn to write naturally as a consequence of vibrant reading lives, but students who do not read for pleasure often struggle with writing. Methodologies for teaching writing often stifle creativity, treat writing in too formulaic a manner and punish originality. Futhermore, it is quite rare for teachers of children in elementary, middle and high school to be taught to write well by teachers who are writers. I have a great deal of teaching experience but I am first and foremost a writer and working artist. I begin, when teaching reluctant writers, children and writers who lack confidence with this premise; if you can talk, you can write. I borrow strategies from poetry-writing and work them into scholarly writing. I have a special interest on writing for advocacy and persuasive writing. Even with children I incorporate motes of philosophy into teaching writing logic. I introduce grammar, when necessaru, painlessly. I have been told I make writing fun. I read with students as a means for enhancing writing.
What got me going with Brooklyn Language Arts was hearing from parents that their first-year high school students, even ones graduated from "gifted" middle schools with A averages, were finding themselves unable write satisfactory essays. I have had good luck with teaching students how to approach essay writing in a relaxed sensible way. I can teach them to outline, research, revise, and proofread. I have lists of tricks for making essays shine.
For local college students, my work has been a hybrid of teaching essay-writing and helping undergrads to improbve in the area of revision. The more volume a writer produces, the wider the margin of error. This is why you still find typos in the New York Times. Dull writers make fewer errors. Great writers have to learn to catch their mistakes. With college students, I help with organizing research, juggling more than one writing project at a time. Often the role is more of a coach than a tutor.
When working with adults, my role is more collaborative. I have proofread manuscripts, worked at two literary journals, and have written a few books. It is easy for superb writers, especially for writers working on deadline, or under pressure, to fail to adequately proofread their work. Often all that work needs is another set of eyes on. For adults just starting to write a manuscript, I can be helpful as a coach. I can suggest schedules, assist with outlines, help to research publication opportunities.