International students have a different set of circumstances than American students. As their teacher sometimes you act as a confidante. Then a year later I'll talk to them and it's very different. They've grown up, become more confident, have lots of friends and have become a bit more Americanized. Aside from the fun of learning about different cultures and getting to spot talent in budding writers, Claudia says she loves the freedom in the every day practice of teaching.
Teaching can be very creative.
A recent assignment included essays where the students talked about movies. Taking classes on field trips is not just for the elementary school set, as Claudia notes it infuses the class with a new energy and appreciation for the act of writing when they experience it outside the classroom. I recently took the whole class to 'Speaking of Stories,' where professional actors and actresses read short stories. They gave a generous grant to City College so the students just pay a small, nominal fee. Other field trips have been to plays in the Santa Barbara-area where they could enjoy the writing of others.