This workshop is restricted to K-12 classroom teachers.
In our 6 weeks together we will look at the personal essay as form as we read a range of examples from masters—from Montaigne to James Baldwin to Cheryl Strayed. Each week we will take some in class time to generate new writing, as well as discuss some element of craft—from dialogue, to image, to writing through the senses, what poet/ memoirist Mary Karr calls “sacred carnality.” Students will expand on what is begun in class to develop at least one personal essay to be workshopped in class. Students will receive detailed, written feedback from the instructor on their piece for workshop, as well as verbal and written feedback from their peers.