The Importance of Writing as a Life-long Skill

I was educated in England, so I only became involved with US public schools when I raised my three daughters here in Montana.

An essential part of my own education was learning to write well. This is a foundational skill which demonstrates whether or not a student has learned to think clearly and to articulate their thoughts. This ability is hard earned and requires a great deal of practice and support.  It is almost impossible for classroom teachers to give this task the importance which it deserves. There are simply too many students and not enough time.  Few parents are able to provide the necessary structure and guidance.

This is where the role of the writing coach is valuable.  Even in the 15-25 minute time slot generally available it is possible to imbue students with the importance of this task, to help them to brainstorm ideas, to provide a scaffold for getting their thoughts down in writing, as well as to give them a glimpse of the satisfaction of articulating ideas in writing.  As interested and engaged adults who take them and their writing seriously, at whatever level we find them, we embody the importance of this skill.