WOODBURY — There’s around 20 students in every class, but only one teacher. This can be a problem when more than one person needs help at a time, but Nonnewaug’s new Writing Center, which opened Jan. 15, may be a perfect solution.
This project started last year, with Kelly Nichols, a Nonnewaug English teacher.
“So last year, I asked teachers to make recommendations for students who they thought would be good tutors,” Nichols said. “Good tutors, meaning that not only are they skillful writers, but more importantly, that they’re kind and welcoming and they’re really good about making people feel comfortable, because it’s awkward to have people look at your writing.”
With this good idea, and handful of exemplary students, Nichols knew she needed student leaders that would put the Writing Center into motion.
“I knew I needed two directors to help me get it going, and so I did the same thing, and I just gauged interest,” Nichols continued. “I asked all the tutors who had been recommended if anybody wanted to be directors, and I got about six students, then interviewed them. It was really hard to pick, because everybody was so fantastic. But Everett and Gill came in, with the most prepared number of ideas about going forward, so I let them know. They’ve been helping me out ever since.”
Nonnewaug juniors Everett Pierce and Gillian Fernandez are pillars of the Writing Center, and have many goals in mind about what the Center can accomplish.
“We will help students self-reflect on their writing process, brainstorm ideas, help revise thesis statements, use of evidence, analysis, style, grammar, and assist students’ comprehension of rubrics,” Fernandez said. “Students can bring speeches, presentations, explanatory and persuasive writing, college essays and supplements, lab reports, personal pieces, and other written materials. We are open periods 6, 8, and Focus. Teachers can also request tutors to come into their classes.”
Pierce adds that a main goal is to help students be self-sufficient.
“Advice given aims not to complete the assignment for the student, but to point them in the right direction and encourage them,” Pierce said, “and I believe the writing center will have a very positive impact on the school. While it is very possible that we may not receive many visitors, I believe that the few we may receive will benefit greatly from the experience. The writing center aims not only to help with a student’s academics, but to welcome them into an open environment. I believe this open environment will be a major factor in attracting new tutees.”
Although Nichols helped in the process of creation, the Writing Center is a mostly student led initiative, and Fernandez encourages more students to participate.
“For students who would like to join our tutor force, we will have a semester-long tutoring course next year for students in 10 through 12 grades,” Fernandez said. “UCONN ECE credits are also available for juniors and seniors. This course will allow students to help their classmates, take on an academic leadership role, and join the effort of making our school a better place.”
Nichols’ vision of the Writing Center has come to life this year due to Fernandez and Pierce, and she reiterates their aspirations.
“I think it’ll help students be self reflective, right?” Nichols said. “In high school, it’s like we rely on our teachers sometimes to tell us what we call quote-unquote good or bad in writing. But when you go be an adult, whether it’s life or college or work, you have to figure that out for yourself. You have to sort of know what you need to do and do better. That whole process of being self reflective is what we’re trying to help people practice.”
