Mission Bay’s Writing Center – A Writing Sanctuary
Photo Credit: Adapted for the Beachcomber
Mission Bay's Writing Center - A Writing Sanctuary
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January 27, 2012 • Samantha Powell, Staff Reporter
Filed under News, Top Stories
With the stress of college applications and college essays for seniors and the worries of finals, midterms, class essays and projects for everyone at Mission Bay, teachers have always helped their students with writing. Now, five days a week, in room 264 at lunch, during advisory, and after school there is a single place where on-one-one writing help is given.
“I had the idea that I wanted a place where students could go to get specialized for writing in any class,” said Mr. Lancia. “My initial idea was to call it ‘Roving Writing Center’ and have teacher open up class rooms once a month or week.” Mr. Lancia then went to Mrs. Rhoads and pitched the idea. “She was supportive and said we could use room 264.” Various English teachers then agreed to volunteer. “Initial concerns were that there wasn’t enough resources for students and one-on-one time with teachers for English,” said Mr. Sheehy who is at the Writing Center after school. “We said ‘heck yeah’ to the idea and signed up to be a part of it.”
When first walking in to the Writing Center, there are posters adorning the wall like you would see in an English classroom. A printer sits against the wall, along with plenty of reference material to use and an i21 computer. Mr. Lancia called it a “print-rich environment,” as well as “very student-oriented and visually appealing. You don’t have to get help, you can sit in peace and use it to write.”
With over 250 students helped the four short months of this school year, the Writing Center clearly seems to be a success with students. “Ms. Lewis told me to go to get help with college essays,” said senior Sergio Beccera, “the teachers at the center helped with grammar and pretty much everything. They forced you to think about writing, like suggest something and you would think of other things to improve your writing. They aren’t those teachers who mind helping students.”
“I would say it has been a success during lunch and advisory,” said Mr. Sheehy, “Lesser of a success after school when I’m there, but I’m wondering how to define success. If two students have ‘a-ha’ moments then to me it’s been a success. I’ve been able to have more conversations with students about writing that doesn’t happen in class.” Students agree that the one-on-one attention assistance has improved their writing. “If I had a problem they know how to fix it and they listen. I’ve gotten homework done for other classes and for different subjects like math and history,” said Yesi Bradely, a sophomore who frequents the Writing Center at lunch. Anna Corral, a senior, agrees. “It was one-on-one, not in group, which was very helpful.”
As of now, there have already been talks of what to improve and what to keep for the center next year. “Doug Macintosh has offered for us to expand and include a library computer lab. I would like to keep the initial sanctuary of 264 and keep its ambiance, the atmosphere,” said Mr. Lancia. “I would like to see all teachers incorporate the center,” Mr. Sheehy said of his hopes for the center in the next school year, “Maybe give extra credit. One teacher has already done that but I would like to see other departments incorporate it in the curriculum.”
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