Literary Arts’ Writers in the Schools program offers three professional development sessions to its roster of teaching artists throughout the school year, as well as 1:1 help with course outlines, lesson planning, and classroom management.
On Wednesday, December 7th, ten writers joined WITS staff for a professional development focused on teaching challenges, both in and outside of WITS classrooms. The discussion-based session delved into solutions and strategies for classroom management, navigating teaching partnerships, and trauma-informed teaching.
This semester, WITS writers are serving students who are studying a wide variety of subjects, including Biology, Chemistry, Health, Creative Writing, and English/Language Arts classes. While the 2021-22 school year posed many challenges as students returned to in-person learning, the 2022-23 school year has had its own unique situations to navigate. Phones are ever-present, students and teachers have a lot on their plates, and many people are out sick. WITS writers brainstormed together, offered advice, and created strategies for their teaching going forward.
WITS also offers a training program for its WITS apprentices. This year, WITS program specialist april joseph has been creating cohort meetings for the WITS fall and spring apprentices, focusing on pedagogy and course/lesson planning. WITS apprentices will teach one class in their residencies solo, as well as work alongside their partner WITS writers.
Interested in teaching for Writers in the Schools? More information here.
