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Dear Friends,
As the changing environment has permitted our
team to visit classrooms again, we have noticed a recurring and
resonating theme: comeback.
Because two-and-a-half years of disruption have underscored how time is
so fleeting and precious — which has prompted many of us to seek a
deeper understanding of what our communities and the rest of our lives
should look like — we have discovered a collective desire for more than
a recovery: we want to thrive.
We can find this passion to thrive in our educator community — who in
the face of warnings that schoolchildren will experience severe learning
setbacks — have continued to invest their hopes for a better future
through working harder than ever in their classrooms. Students have
responded to this challenge with passions of their own.
The Writing Revolution team has been inspired by the Revolutionary
community throughout the past school year: the thoughtful student
entries in TWR’s first-ever Black History Month writing contest; a
school district’s plans for a post-COVID comeback; classrooms from New
York City and Wales collaborating to explore the power of writing; the
growing hunger for educator innovation, and TWR’s evolving response; the
wonderful, daily stories we hear about children becoming more engaged in
their writing while forging life-changing paths.
You will read these stories, and more, in our year-end review. Thank all
of you for the ongoing support that has allowed TWR to reach
unprecedented levels of growth. Investing in our children provides a
compelling case for the growth of our society and economy. We look
forward to working with you to place this comeback within reach for all
who require it.
To Joy and Literacy,
The strong annual growth in our courses and enrollment are signs the
educator community shares the same vision as TWR: a day when all
students have access to effective writing instruction.
Together, we will bring the vision within reach.
Congratulations to the nearly 600 students who participated in our first-ever Black History Month writing contest, and who have impressed everyone with such high-quality work. The level of interest generated by this year’s entries tells us that next year’s contest will be even more exciting.
Listen to voice samples of a few of the contest winners and finalists reading their entries.
Nicholas H. : Woodlands Middle High School, Hartsdale, NY, 9th grade (runner-up)
Julia S. ; Woodlands Middle High School, Hartsdale, NY, 7th grade (winner)
Mamie H. ; Sallie Humble Elementary, Monroe, LA, 6th grade (runner-up)
Ammy P. ; RJ Bailey Elementary, White Plains, NY, 6th grade (runner-up)
International Learning
A delegation consisting of educators and students from two Welsh primary schools, St. Cadoc’s and St. Peter’s, kicked off their journey to learning the Hochman Method by visiting P.S.60-Woodhaven, TWR practicing school, in New York City. Read our press release that describes this special moment, and watch our video that captures the joy of travel and learning.
LDOE faced a complex challenge as the agency prepared for the coming school year:
A team of Louisiana-based teachers who are trained in The Writing Revolution’s Hochman Method, also known as Revolutionaries, were tasked with designing classroom writing activities that are aligned with the Guidebooks.
Alexandria Chalonec, TWR’s senior manager of faculty development, and Ailish McDermott, senior faculty team member, provided an overview of the embedded activities to 600 educators last month at Louisiana’s Teacher-Leader Summit.
“When can I have [these Guidebooks],” or “This is exactly what my kids need” are examples of the encouraging post-session feedback shared with our team.
“TWR is grateful to support LDOE in its journey towards revolutionizing their writing instruction,” says Dr. Toni-Ann Vroom, TWR co-executive director.
On April 28, Drs. Vroom and Zoleo presented an overview of the Hochman Method at the New Jersey Speech-Language-Hearing Association convention. They also presented the method during an online event hosted by Australia-based Think Forward Educators on Mar 1, and at the Arkansas Department of Education Summit on July 12.
A couple of weeks ago @ThinkForwardEdu hosted a presentation from @TheWritingRevol with @ToniAnnVroom & @DinaZoleo
— Jeanette Breen (@jettybe3) March 17, 2022
890 🇦🇺 educators signed up for this event
Join our writing network (free) & watch the recording- links are in the blog. @NathanielRSwainhttps://t.co/I8UGEzOfxA
Photo: Cypress Point University Elementary; a TWR partner school; Ms. Naylor’s KIndergarten class; March 11, 2022.