Belvidere,
Carriacou,
Grenada, W.I.
12/10/2025
Dear Younger Me,
You are entering your first Language
Arts class, holding your lesson plans and hoping your love for the subject will
suffice. You feel nervous, excited, and determined to make a difference. I
would like to sit next to you and share what I have learned about writing. You
will soon learn that teaching writing is not just about correcting grammar and
every misspelled word. Writing is another option for students to communicate
their ideas and emotions. The Writer's Workshop will serve as your guide. Your
weaknesses will turn into your strengths. You will write alongside your
students and share your own rough drafts and uncertainties with them.
You will learn to celebrate small
wins, like the student who finally writes more than one sentence. The student
who bravely shared their story and listens will grow. You will be a more
patient teacher, and letting go of control will not be a challenge for you. You
will learn that your task is to empower the writer, not to identify all its flaws.
The writer’s workshop guides you to see writing as a process of discovery, where each draft teaches you more about your style, purpose, and growth as a writer. This process involves key components: the mini-lesson, independent writing, conferencing, and sharing. The mini-lesson introduces new strategies that help you reflect on your ideas, independent writing allows you to experiment and refine your voice, conferencing provides feedback that guides thoughtful revision, and sharing connects you with your audience, helping you see the impact of your words. Together, these stages turn writing into an ongoing process of learning, improving, and expressing yourself confidently. Students are both writers and thinkers. These steps will remind you that writing serves purposes beyond school; it is also personal, emotional, and life-changing
Therefore, my younger self, be patient. You will not accomplish everything in one session, but you will become better. Learn how to teach with love, write with bravery, and lead with compassion. Then one day, you will look back and feel proud of your progress.
Keep on writing. Keep thinking. Keep
getting bigger.
Your older self, with love, thanks.
___________________________
J. Stafford
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Dear J. Stafford,
ReplyDeleteYour reflection beautifully captures the emotional and professional journey of a teacher discovering the true essence of teaching writing. I especially appreciate how you framed the letter to your “younger self,” as it adds warmth and authenticity to your message. The way you highlighted the Writer’s Workshop as both a structure and a philosophy of empowerment was particularly inspiring. You clearly conveyed that writing is not simply about mechanics, but about giving students a voice and helping them find confidence in expressing their ideas.
I admire your reminder that growth both for students and teachers is gradual and ongoing. Your mention of celebrating “small wins” and learning to “teach with love, write with bravery, and lead with compassion” reflects a deep understanding of what it means to nurture young writers. This insight will certainly resonate with anyone who has struggled with balancing structure and freedom in the writing classroom.
Your reflection is not only motivational but also instructional it gently teaches the importance of patience, reflection, and shared vulnerability in the writing process. Thank you for this heartfelt reminder that teaching writing is as much about becoming as it is about guiding.
Warm regards,
Arlene Donald
Dear Ms. Arlene,
DeleteThank you for your thoughtful and encouraging words. I truly appreciate how deeply you engaged with my reflection. I am especially pleased that the idea of celebrating small wins and empowering students through the Writer’s Workshop resonated with you. Your feedback reinforces the importance of teaching with both structure and heart.
Warm regards,
Jillean Stafford