I know that I have a great job, especially around those times that are super high stress for classroom teachers. With conferences coming up next week this is one of those high stress times! Although I do not miss the stress of parent conferences, I do miss the opportunity to conference with kids about their writing on a daily basis. This week I had the opportunity to spend time in classrooms conferencing with writers and I loved it.
When I think back on all of the conferences I was part of this week three really stand out to me. Three different boys read their work to me and three boys almost brought me to tears. Each of these boys have probably brought many teachers to tears before, and not for good reasons, so I was a little nervous about what they would bring to me…What I saw demonstrated the power of writing, and what can happen when children are encouraged to find their voice and use it.
The boys were reflecting on their school year so far, describing strengths , goals, and positive experiences. Wow! These boys were able to put on paper what they have not been able to say to the adults around them…I am so fortunate to have heard these pieces read by the authors, I was given a chance to celebrate what they can do as writers…
Even when time is tight, make time to have writing conferences, you are sure to be blown away by what your writers can do.