Re: FW: high school writing centers -Reply

["Elizabeth D. Burris" <edbur@conncoll.edu>]

On Wed, 30 Apr 1997, Charlotte Smith wrote:

> I am also interested in establishing connections between the college and
> local high schools. I've recently become the director of our writing
> center, and the student tutors are eager to be involved in such a project.
> But I'm new to the area and so don't have immediate contacts and I'm
> also a bit fearful of starting a project that gets too big to manage. On the
> positive side, I have time, tutors, and possible funding for projects.
>
I, too, am interested in working with local high schools, and I, too, am a
new WC director (thinking seriously about publishing in the WLN!).  My
question, Charlotte, is how and where did you get funding?
 
> Any suggestions for 1) making contacts or 2) manageable first projects?
>
I made contact with a social studies teacher at a local high school
through a project he was involved in with other profs on campus.  He asked
that I come to his class to talk about writing.  He got involved in the
project with the college primarily, I think, because he was a recent
graduate of the college's teacher ed program.  So one way to start is to
ask other faculty about contacts, especially the ed dept (if you have one
at your school).  Ask at local teacher ed programs, also.  Or just call
the schools!

A manageable first project might be one that is based at the school you're
working with, that is, setting up a peer tutoring service at a high
school, say.  It might be difficult to get buy-in on the school campus,
but, if you do, you'll presumably have lots of help on-site.

I'm just thinking out loud, as I haven't done any of this yet.  But please
keep us posted--I think your idea is a great one!

Betsy Burris
Connecticut College