‘Engaging While New’: First-Year Composition Instructors, Writing Center Consultants, and Writing Program Administrators

[Alexa Nussio]

Engagement is at the heart of what we do as composition instructors, writing consultants, and assistant directors of writing programs. But what does that engagement look like, and cost, when one is new at one's job of teaching, consulting, or mentoring? In this collaborative eight composition instructors, assistant directors, and writing consultants offer perspectives on this question by sharing their own experiences trying to engage others. The titles of the talks below suggest the range of ideas covered during the collaborative, which will conclude with plenty of time for audience participants to ask questions and offer additional insights.

Speaker 1: “Clifton Strengths in the Inclusive, Active-Learning Composition Class” —Jason Conde

Speaker 2: “A Student Affairs Graduate Student in the Writing Center” —Joan Conte

Speaker 3: “From Tutor to Teacher: Transferring Writing Center Skills to Classroom Teaching” —Savannah Xaver

Speaker 4: “A High School Consultant Detours A Few Years & Then Returns to Tutoring Undergraduates & Graduate Students” —Steven Anderson

Speaker 5: “Engaging in a New Culture: Surprises, Successes, & Lots of Learning” —Eman Al Drous

Speaker 6: “Engaging New Writing Center Clients with their Resumes/CVs” —Alexa Nussio

Speaker 7: “Veteran Writer Turn Rookie Teacher Engages Students Through Experience”—Nicole Mullis

Speaker 8: “Cookie Points & Silence: Two Strategies Tested By a New Instructor, New Consultant”—Suzan Aiken