The Alberta Teachers’ Association

This space normally lists creative works produced by Alberta teachers, but the cupboard is currently bare. So while we await further submissions, we present the following how-to column by teacher–writer Ray Suchow.

THE WRITE STUFF

How to nurture a writing habit while teaching

Good things happen in your classroom and, if you’re like me, you like to turn these moments into stories for others to enjoy.

Over the last 20 years, I’ve embarked on an exciting journey of being a teacher–writer. This journey has had twists and turns, but thankfully many successes. (I’ve now passed 30 published articles in Canada and the U.S.)

As I’ve travelled this road of being a teacher–writer, I’ve devised the following list of strategies that have helped me consistently record and publish stories about many of the wonderful teaching moments I’ve enjoyed.

1. Plant the seeds. Rigorously record those precious classroom moments and story beginnings the very moment you think of them. Whether it’s a quick email to yourself or a few sentences in your dedicated (and backed-up) writing folder, you’ll thank yourself many times later on!

2. Organize and set your goals. I use reverse calendar planning to plan out my writing and coordinate it with my teaching, and I consider this to be my most useful organizing technique. On a calendar, first write down the end goal on its due date (i.e. article due). Then, work back one week at a time (i.e. article due in one week, article due in two weeks, etc.). Suddenly, you’ve broken a big task into several smaller ones. It works wonderfully to keep oneself on track.

3. Tend your garden. If you have multiple ideas in your writing folder, revisit them every few weeks—just like you’d tend a garden. You’ll be surprised at how you will see them in new ways. Often, one or two will inspire you and you’ll find yourself starting to write as soon as you’ve read it!

4. Grow your writer self. A wide variety of local and online courses are available that cover both general and genre-specific skills. They include local writing workshops, university extension courses and online courses on MasterClass.com (with James Patterson, Margaret Atwood, etc). I’ve benefitted from these during my writing career; I consider it to be professional development for my soul. Many of the people I first met as classmates I now count as writing colleagues and friends.

5. Build your network. Networking today has never been easier, even with a teacher’s workload. In addition to courses, there are always local, national and international writers’ groups looking for new talent and groups on Meetup, LinkedIn, Facebook and Twitter. All you have to do is search! Happily, I’ve noticed a direct correlation between being in a writing group and the quantity and quality of my publications.

6. Be realistic about your goals and needs. Have short and long term plans, especially as they fit into your teaching schedule. This is where your calendar planning can assist, as well as considering the advice of your writing group and the knowledge received in your courses. For example, I’ve wanted to write a novel for years. However, after taking James Patterson’s excellent MasterClass, which takes you through (in exacting detail) how he writes a best-selling novel, I properly realized that (for me at least) that kind of undertaking will be my first writing goal when I retire. So, while I’m still teaching, I’ve concentrated on publishing more articles and my first small books online.

7. Know where to publish. There are several places to publish educational materials, whether it’s a special classroom moment or a more learned article. Examples include the ATA News (Moot Points), Leaders & Learners Magazine and Catechist Magazine (formerly Creative Catechist). As well, the yearly Writer’s Guide (the source on where to publish anywhere in the world) is available online or in any bookstore.

8. Create a social media presence. How necessary is this, especially if you’re just starting to publish? In my experience, especially with a teaching life underway, a LinkedIn, Twitter or Facebook profile is sufficient to let others know you’re a teacher–writer. When you begin to publish more, a WordPress or Instagram account is highly recommended. Thankfully, they’re all relatively easy to set up and maintain.

RAY SUCHOW
Christ The King High School, Leduc
rsuchow@gmail.com

Got an idea? If you’d like to make a submission for publication in Who’s Out There, email a summary and photos to managing editor Cory Hare at cory.hare@ata.ab.ca.