We are the hub on campus to plan your future and find support in academics and writing!

Please click here to visit our request form and make an appointment. We are excited to work with you!

Our Mission

At the AHS Writing and Learning Center, it is our mission to serve students of all abilities during the school day. We have expanded to offer support in other subjects areas and in the college/scholarship application process. The Writing and Learning Center welcomes students into a safe environment where collaboration is a common part of the creative process. We believe students will thrive in a culture of young scholars who actively support each other to promote academic success.

Who We Are

Our Writing and Learning Center is staffed by experienced adults, college students and high school seniors who are eager to provide academic support to our AHS/SILSA students. NEW IN 2023-24- PEER COACHES available to support underclassmen in a range of subjects! We help students with all types of writing, including academic work, college and scholarship essays, professional resumes, and creative writing. Writing coaches are trained to assist students at any phase of the writing process, from brainstorming initial ideas to editing final drafts.

Check in for your appointment at the front desk in the Alumni Center (next to the Counseling Center). Remember to take our exit survey at the podium on the way out. Your feedback matters to us!

How to Connect

Students may access support from Writing and Learning Center coaches during our weekly office hours via appointment requests throughout the school year.

Submit an APPOINTMENT REQUEST form HERE. (The Writing Center is intended for one on one appointments, please do not use this link to schedule a creative writing workshop. To do so visit the Creative Writing Club request form linked below.)
Check your EMAIL for your appointment date and time. CONFIRM and reply to let us know who your teacher is at that time.
Use your E Hall Pass to arrive at your appointment on time.

Asheville High School Creative Writing Workshops

If you are looking for an opportunity to explore and hone your creative writing skills, we here at the Writing and Learning Center are excited to provide the opportunity for workshops where you can receive individualized feedback from a group of your peers. If you would like to schedule a workshop or become one of our peer coaches, please fill out the form linked here.

Get to Know Our Staff

Amanda Galvin

Writing and Learning Center Director

An English teacher for over twenty years, Ms. Galvin currently teaches AP English Literature, AVID 3 Honors and English 2 Honors at Asheville High School. Her education includes degrees from UNC-Chapel Hill (B.A. Secondary English Education) and NC State University (M.Ed. Curriculum and Instruction). Ms. Galvin's graduate level work with the National Writing Project instilled in her the belief that "access to high-quality educational experiences is a basic right of all learners and a cornerstone of equity." In addition to supporting students academically, Ms. Galvin is a track coach and mother of two daughters. She enjoys being in nature whenever possible - on the trails in our beautiful mountains or gardening at her home.

Beth Kainic

College Application Support Specialist

Passionate about education and college access, Beth served as the Director of Graduate Admissions and Financial Aid at Northwestern University for the Medill School of Journalism. As well, she has served as the Director of college access programs at several Chicago-area high schools, supporting first-generation students to get to and through college. Beth’s academic background includes degrees from the University of Wisconsin - Madison (B.S. Journalism), Northwestern University (M.S. Journalism), and DePaul University (M.Ed. Secondary Education). In 2019, Beth was honored by the Colleges That Change Lives, with the Counselors That Change Lives national award.

Bri

Writing Coach

Bri is a current junior at UNC-A and is following a Bachelor's degree in literature with a 6-12 teacher licensure. She is also a transfer student with an Associates degree, and currently tutors with the Asheville High AVID program. She is originally from the piedmont region of the state but has fallen in love with Asheville since her time enrolled at UNC-A. In her free time Bri likes to explore the area, watch movies with her friends, make crafts, and engage with community events by attending festivals, concerts, and performances.

Rose

Writing Coach

Rose is a senior at UNC-Asheville. She is studying psychology and hopes to pursue a career in investigative journalism. In her free time, Rose enjoys creative writing as a hobby and loves to snowboard when the weather is cold enough.

Daniel Acocella

Volunteer Associate

Daniel is a Warren Wilson College Alumnus, where he earned a B.A. in English, a minor in education, and worked as an editor on the school's literary magazine, the Peal. After teaching Language Arts at the high school level for two years he enrolled in Western Carolina University's English graduate program where he is currently pursuing an M.A. in Literature.

Meet our wonderful UNCA volunteer tutors

Caroline Lew

Hello! My name is Caroline Lew and I’m a sophomore (2nd year) at UNCA. I’m an English Literature major working towards my 6-12 English teaching license. I also tutor with AVID. I enjoy indoor gardening, writing poetry, and spending time with my lovely cat. I’m really so excited to work with you all!

Brianna Lester

Hey there! My name is Brianna and I am a current junior at UNCA. I am majoring in English Literature, minoring in Drama, and getting my 6-12 English teaching license. I am a huge theatre nerd and love to learn about Shakespeare. My favorite musical of all time is Hamilton!

Lillie Johnston

Hello! My name is Lillie and I am in my second year at UNCA. i am majoring in English Literature and working towards 6-12 English teaching licensure. I enjoy spending time with my friends, watching tv, going on mini road trips, and listening to music.

Kaitlyn Diehm

Hello! My name is Kaitlyn, and I am a junior (third year) at UNCA. I am majoring in English Education grades 6-12, and I am also an AVID tutor.

I enjoy painting, baking, and reading in my free time. I also collect all kinds of earrings, my favorite pair are my Rainbow Fish earrings.

Katie Shneider

Catherine Thomas

Ellie Eritch

Hi, my name is Ellie. I’m a post-bacc student getting my teaching licensure in ELA 9-12. I love DnD, RPGs, and basically all things fantasy.

“Such is of the course of deeds that move the wheels of the world: small hands do them because they must, while the eyes of the great are elsewhere.”

― J.R.R. Tolkien

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