My students reflect the cultural richness of New York City - and they speak approximately 34 different languages among them!
Our school is an academically rigorous, tuition-free high school and college associate's degree program.
Many of my students are the first in their families to attend college. They are very eager for the opportunity to earn two years of free college tuition at the time of their high school graduation.
It is incredibly rewarding to work with such curious, eager, and motivated students as their virtual Library Director, Creative Writing Teacher and Speaker Series Coordinator.
My Project
Over Zoom, novelist Diane Zinna will discuss her book All-Night Sun, which explores grief, female friendship and the magic of Sweden.
During the time of COVID-19, grief is an essential topic of discussion.
Ms. Zinna is a nationally known expert, writer and speaker on subjects of loss, and she is a compassionate and wise voice.
It is deeply important that all members of our community gain insight into the psychological complexity of bereavement through a novel that explores cross-cultural travel and discovery, and the wonders of Sweden. Ms. Zinna has an uplifting approach to discussing tragic topics. I know she will be perfect because I have attended her previous workshops. During COVID-19, many students have lost loved ones or are grieving all the changes to their lives and opportunities. Ms. Zinna is an ideal visitor in these times.
Ms. Zinna will speak to students in my Guest Writers class and Speaker Series, which is open to the whole campus.
In Guest Writers, we meet authors after reading their books, and go behind the book, or behind the scenes, in the author’s writing process. We read and discuss books by diverse writers, meet the authors to ask questions, and hear a dramatic reading or performance of their poetry, fiction or memoir. Students facilitate the discussion, interviewing the authors, so the event is driven by student curiosity.
The goal of this course is to investigate the human side of writing. We always talk about the writing process as if it’s a single experience, but in reality, it differs greatly from person to person. As we interact with authors in this course, and speak to each other as writers, we will come to appreciate the individuality and unpredictability of the writing and publishing process.
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As a teacher-founded nonprofit, we're trusted by thousands of teachers and supporters across the country. This classroom request for funding was created by Ms. Jess Hinds and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.
