The primary message of the orientation session is probably the assurance that the greatest accomplishment of the coaching experience is to motivate young writers by demonstrating that successful, literate adults really care about writing and are interested in students becoming better writers. Coordinating the Project If you decide to develop a writing coach project, I would suggest soliciting a volunteer project coordinator who is not a host classroom teacher or even a writing coach. As our project director, I drafted the proposal and collaborated with the school district's Curriculum and Assessment Coordinator to identify and prioritize host classrooms. Each year I select and invite potential coaches and coordinate the orientation. This year, we will shift from eighth to seventh grade and will visit a few more regular 12th grade classes.
Coaches typically visit one or two classrooms each and volunteer from one to four hours per week.
Host teachers determine whether each coach will focus on one or a few students or mingle among several. I monitor the progress of the project, collect copies of coaches' and students' logs, convene a closing evaluation session, and solicit written responses for compilation at the end of the project. About half of that goes toward the orientation luncheon and closing reception for hosts and coaches and perhaps for the compilation, editing and publication of reaction articles. For a school system or community without access to university-related funding, these expenses could be eliminated. If you wish to preserve the attraction of providing a meal for the group at the opening and closing sessions but without cost, maybe you could persuade volunteers to organize a potluck meal or reception.