COURSE DESCRIPTION
Writing coaching is a personalized, one-on-one service for students ages 11 and up. Ms. Finnigan coaches mostly via email; students have the option to substitute one email exchange per week with a live, 15-20 minute meeting in her online office ("Office Hours"). Ms. Finnigan helps students with writing projects that have been assigned through a Teach to the Text study guide or through another course or curriculum. She can also help with projects the student has undertaken independently or that the student and Ms. Finnigan have initiated together. Writing Coaching and the supplemental Office Hours can be shared among siblings who want to switch off days and/or share the time.
Families may send one email per day. Ms. Finnigan will write back within 24 business hours, breaking down the writing process in into steps, and/or giving feedback, and assigning about 15-30 minutes of work at a time. Students are under no obligation to respond within a certain timeframe. They can write to their coach once per day or once per week, whatever works for them (and their parents).
But once a course begins, the “clock is ticking.” Missed email exchanges or Office Hours cannot be added to the end of the course.
COURSE SCHEDULE & LOGISTICS
Course Duration:
- One month
- (If we start on April 3, we'll end on May 2.)
Live Office Hours:
- One, private, 15-20 minute meeting per week, optional
- Can be scheduled for a standing time each week or can be scheduled each week at a time that works for the student(s) and Ms. Finnigan
Emailing:
- Families can send one email per day, Monday-Friday
- Ms. Finnigan will write back within 24 business hours
Teacher-Student Interaction (Weekly):
- 5 email exchanges per week or 4 email exchanges + one, 15-20 minute session in Office Hours
Family Sharing:
- Service can be shared among siblings
- Parent will have to help with coordination!
Questions? Email
What to expect
In the first exchange, the coach and the student will get acquainted, talk about goals, and pick the first project.
Then the coach will walk the student through the project step by step, sometimes paragraph by paragraph, working together through all phases of the writing process, which the coach will break down for the student into manageable pieces.
If the student prefers to write first drafts independently, the coach and the student can skip right to the feedback and revision phase.
Lessons arise organically as the course progresses. The coach is continually assessing the student's work, identifying teaching points, and prioritizing them according to age, ability, goals, and other factors.
Writing coaching offers a truly individualized form of teaching through which the teacher can identify strengths and weaknesses as well as gaps in knowledge, and create a custom strategy that will allow that student to grow as a writer.
Hi, I'm Ms. Finnigan!
I graduated with my M.F.A. in Creative Writing (Creative Nonfiction) from the University of Montana. Years ago, I worked as an online writing coach for students and adult writers.
For the past nine years, I taught Creative Writing, Rhetoric, and Composition at Kolbe Academy Online, where "my" freshmen got a crash course in learning how to write academic papers at a high school level. I loved setting them up for success in high school and beyond!
Whether you're just learning how to write a good paragraph or ready to pen your magnum opus, I'd love to help you on your journey.
Testimonials
"Detailed feedback given to students with an obvious desire and effort to support their success."
— Parent, Spring 2022 Professional Review
"Essay feedback is super helpful…It really has helped me progress as an analyst and writer, and kept me on top of the writing."
— Student, Spring 2022 Professional Review
"As to teaching, my son had a wonderful time in Ms. Finnigan's classes. She really inspired him to write, in particular. His writing has really blossomed this year and I believe part of that is down to Ms. Finnigan's encouraging words and affirmation. Going into this year, I expected this class to be a tremendous struggle as neither grammar nor writing are huge favorites. Remarkably, he began to pay closer attention to grammar than ever before and really grew as a young writer. He's always had an interest in storytelling, but his coursework this year really supported him on the path, as well as develop his writing skills further. Thanks so much! Such a blessing! … From what I could tell, Ms. Finnigan is a very enthusiastic, warm, and engaging instructor. My son really loved his classes with her this year. He always had an extra bounce to his step after class."
-- Parent, Spring 2022 Professional Review
"I love the feedback Mrs. Finnigan gives on poetry :). She is always very encouraging and gives specific feedback on what she likes and what needs to be improved. Mrs. Finnigan made poetry accessible and fun for me, and I had never written or seriously studied any poetry before."
- Student, Spring 2022 Professional Review
