Coaching at Richmond High School By April Kutger, WriterCoach Connection Volunteer When people hear that WriterCoach Connection needs coaches at Richmond High School in north Richmond, their first thoughts might be, “Is it safe at that school?” “Will students be respectful?” “Will my car be vandalized or stolen?” I discovered what it’s really like there. The students are typical teenagers in the way they act and talk, but they aren’t scary and they do respect adults on campus, although you might have to tell them to turn off their cell phones. Parking on the school premises is provided. It’s true that Richmond High is “I love my writer coaching. It’s so helpful. It’s more than a connection. It’s a relationship. When it’s one on one with someone you know, you work harder, and you take feedback better.” —9th grade student, El Cerrito High School overcrowded and made up almost entirely of students of color who might not get enough help with their schoolwork either in school –the student per teacher ratio is 30 to 1 – or at home – parents who work long hours, might not have a formal education, or have low English language skills. But I discovered what these students really need. Not just help to become engaged in learning something new or difficult, but help to see themselves differently. 20 MARKETPLACEcontracosta.com November 2015 Students in English Language Development (ELD) classes specifically need help with writing so they can pass the California ELD Test to move into mainstream classes. Don’t we all just want to be part of the group and not stand out? All students need to know how to write to be successful in all of their classes and in applying for college and jobs. Most people want to know they can make a difference. Although contributing money is very important to support a cause, if you’re like me, a more handson approach is especially rewarding.. Becoming a writer coach is an option that almost anyone can do right now. It might seem overwhelming or out of your comfort zone to contemplate becoming a writer coach. You might think it will take up too much time. You may think you’re too old to relate to teens. I invite you to think again. • You don’t have to have experience as a coach, teacher or mentor, and you don’t have to be a writer. The kids are the writers; we are their
Contra Costa Marketplace - Nov 2015
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