1. Interview Project by: Olivia Hall

2. Personality Profile: Ms. Joyce Nickname: “Mama Bridge” or “Ms. J” My 9 th grade Honors English teacher Teaches at Kenston High School, Chagrin Falls, Ohio Honors English Strategic Reading Power of the Pen Coach

3. Ms. Joyce Carin g Student Centered Classroom Role Model Approachable Faculty Advisor Positive Creative Innovative Coach Mentor Dependable Thoughtful Successful Professional Supportive Educator

4. Attended Notre Dame College of Ohio for bachelor’s and master’s degrees. After completing her bachelor's degree, Ms. Joyce worked in the steel industry for almost ten years. She didn’t begin teacher until after she had obtained her master’s

5. “My teacher preparation program didn’t prepare me to teach writing. Rather, my ten years in the steels industry taught me.” Written communication with customers and co- workers on a daily basis Wrote official letters and memos for her boss on behalf of the company This is where her love for writing began to develop

6. Aims of Ms. Joyce’s writing classes Wants student not to “fear the blank piece of paper” Express thoughts & feelings Write with purpose, but have fun Focus on the writing process Write what you know, but don’t be afraid to take risks.

7. Aims of my future writing classes Students gain an appreciation for writing Create an open, safe writing environment Incorporate technology for typing, editing, publishing, etc Students experience all types of writing Encourage peer collaboration & peer editing Master the writing process

8. Q: What do you remember about your first time teaching? A: Ms. Joyce felt the least prepared in classroom management strategies She feels 85% of teaching is classroom management. “…it was almost a slap in the face. Make sure you never have your back to anyone, especially with middle schoolers!”

9. A: Writing is an on-going process Teachers must determine what content is appropriate for the level of their students Incorporating all types of writing “Give students the opportunity to read all types of writing because there isn’t just ONE type of writing.” Q: What is the most difficult part of teaching writing?

10. Q: Do you believe peer editing is beneficial to students? A: Ms. Joyce finds peer editing extremely helpful, especially as students get older “Students may choose their editor, but they must choose a new editor with each new writing. I tell them they must have fresh eyes.”

11. Q: How do you respond to student writing? A: FOCUS AREAS Assign specific areas to work on for a particular paper “Do not overwhelm students by giving them too many items to work on at one time.”

12. Q: How do you respond to differences in writing abilities A: Focus areas for the entire class Student conferences before and after grading Individualize needs “Every student has their own strength in their writing, as their teacher, it’s your job to help them identify those strengths!”

13. Q: What is your favorite writing assignment to assign? A: 1. Give the students the first page of the first chapter of a book. 2. Have the students identify the voice of the author, voice of the character, the tone, and setting. 3. Instruct the students to write a continuation of the story.

14. Q: What is one thing you believe every teacher of writing should know? A: Have students write every day “Whether you have students for a semester or a whole year, you’ll be able to watch them grow as a writer, and how exciting is that?!”

15. Q: What is a good way to get students to write every day? A: Journaling (typically preferred with older students) Writer’s workshop “Journaling is an awesome way to communicate with students, allow them to relieve stress, ask questions, or just be creative.”

16. Focus on Journaling 1. Day 1: Give the students a topic to write about that they are comfortable with. Give the students a strict time period 2. Day 2: Provide a specific journal prompt 3. Day 3: Free write 4. Day 4: Increase times for different prompts, allow students to brainstorm, give the students options of what they want to write about 5. Day 5: Have students review work and see if they can turn a journal entry into a story or essay. A sample journal activity for the writing classroom from Ms. J

17. A special thanks… A special thanks to Ms. Joyce, a teacher who I will never forget. Teachers like Ms. Joyce are the reasons students go on to want to be teachers. Seven years later I can still remember her classes and what made them so great. When I have a classroom of my own someday, I hope my students will look up to me the way I look up to Ms. Joyce. I learned so much from her, and I plan to structure my class very similar to hers. I credit her with much of the success I have with writing today. I appreciate her taking the time out of her busy schedule to answer these questions for me.