Writing Right
WRITERCOACH CONNECTION EQUIPS OUR STUDENTS WITH THE
WRITING SKILLS THEY’LL NEED TO SUCCEED
By Matt Larson
WriterCoach Connection believes that critical thinking and
clear writing skills are essential for a young person to succeed
in school, and far beyond. Established at Berkeley High
School in 2001, WriterCoach Connection (WCC) has since
been providing trained, volunteer writing coaches to middle
schools and high schools in the East Bay.
Today, WCC collaborates with 10 schools, many of which
are here in West Contra Costa County. Now coaching
in El Sobrante, Richmond, El Cerrito, Albany, Berkeley,
and Oakland, WCC provides more than 350 community
volunteers every year to help students think more critically
and write more skillfully.
“Our vision is that all students discover the power and
richness of their own voices, and learn to communicate their
ideas with clarity and confidence,” said WCC Board Chair
Maureen Dixon. “We bring trained, caring adults into the
classrooms to sit one-on-one, or in a very small group of
students,” she added. “Every student in the classroom gets a
writing coach, eliminating any kind of stigma or preferential
treatment.”
After 18 years since the first session, WCC has now
coached more than 33,500 students. “Students love it!”
Maureen exclaimed. “Even students that are a little bit
hesitant at first … to have an adult who is sincerely interested
Shirley and kids 24 MARKETPLACECONTRACOSTA.COM MARCH 2019