In Montclair, New Jersey, The Writers Room Program trains community volunteers in methods of evaluating and encouraging student writing. These writing coaches then work alongside classroom teachers to guide students in revising and improving what they write.
Our coach base is extremely diverse. It includes parents, local business people, retirees, pre-service teachers from Montclair State University, and 11th and 12th grade students from Montclair High School. Both Montclair State and Montclair High School have created courses that include coach training and work as a coach – “Teaching Writing” at MSU and Advanced Placement Language and Composition at MHS.