Despite the exponential rate of change in a society now dominated by screens, videos and emojis, a vital skill for a college graduate today remains the timeless ability to communicate with clarity and precision, both orally and in writing. Let’s focus just on quality writing: It builds critical thinking skills. Organizing thoughts into coherent sentences is one mark of a clear, disciplined thinker. Good writing reflects a commitment to a painstaking process, one full of drafts, re-works, and revisions. Isn’t writing similar to success in life, learning from one’s mistakes and “course correcting” along the way? Moreover, writing enhances self-expression, spawning creativity, the art of inspirational storytelling, and the exploration of deep emotions.
At GWA, this fall we are bringing back the Writing Center to serve middle and upper school students, regardless of whether they are gifted writers working on a college essay for UGA or Vanderbilt or in need of remediation to complete a middle school science project. Each student has a unique writing style, background knowledge, and myriad strengths and weaknesses. In the Writing Center, all students will receive individual instruction and feedback -- for any academic subject.
Our AP English teacher Melissa Page will lead the resurrected Writing Center. She comes to the director position with 22 years of teaching experience in English, five of those years at GWA. Mrs. Page developed her skills and passion for teaching writing when she began teaching at the University of Georgia in the Language and Literacy Department. While there, she earned a fellowship with the Red Clay Writing Project, an affiliate of the National Writing Project. She was trained as a writer focused on teaching adolescent writers and was elected to the leadership team. She has led professional development for teachers in Athens and Atlanta and co-founded the Writing Center at St. Pius X Catholic High School in Atlanta. In addition to running the George Walton Writing Center, Mrs. Page will continue to serve as the English Department Chair and AP English Literature teacher.
“I’m thrilled to be re-opening the Writing Center and extending this individualized learning experience to all middle and upper school students. I love working with students where they are and helping them gain confidence and independence.”
GWA aspires for every student to become a good writer. The return of the Writing Center under the leadership of Melissa Page is a big step to make that a reality.
