Become a Writing Consultant
2018 Welcome to the WC
- genuine interest in writing- enthusiasm about interacting with others- willingness to speak up in group conversations- dedication to work hard- motivation to follow your own lines of inquiry-ability to listen patiently and thoughtfully to others
What is a Writing Consultant?
The Writing Center is young: it became operational during the 2013-2014 school year and has thrived because the writing consultants are dedicated, enthusiastic people who care about becoming better writers and helping others to do the same.
That quality - of caring enough about how people think and how people match their best words to their best ideas - is what defines a good writing consultant. Each year, teachers identify and recommend students who have displayed this quality in their classes to register for the Writing Center Internship program, which provides training and support for students as they work as writing consultants in the Shaker Writing Center.
Writing Center Internship
New interns will begin the semester by reading about and discussing writing center theory and practice. The Shaker Writing Center is based on ideals that exist in writing centers around the world, and it is important for all of us to have a strong sense of why we do what we do. Using The Bedford Guide for Writing Tutors and various journal articles, we will establish a foundation that we will use as we enter into peer-to-peer conversations about writing. Once that is established, interns will serve as writing consultants at the Shaker Writing Center and will create and develop inquiry projects that continue to make our writing center a valuable and necessary resource in the North Colonie community. Examples of past inquiry projects include the creation of workshops (College Essay Writing, Resume Writing, etc.), collaboration with young writers (Creative Writing Club, the Young Writers Program, Breakout EDUs and GooseChases with elementary students, etc.), and the development of a structure for writing groups at Shaker High School. Student interns will also lead North Colonie's celebration of the National Day on Writing in October. We encourage writing interns to register for both semesters. Students who enroll in both semesters must maintain the GPA requirement and must meet the minimum requirement in internship hours in order to continue into the second semester.
Writing Intern Roles and Responsibilities:
- take on a leadership role, as outlined in the consultant contract
- maintain an overall GPA above a 90, with a semester average of at least a 93 in English
- adhere to the guidelines and rules set forth in the Shaker High School Code of Conduct
- be available in the Writing Center a minimum of 50 hours for consultations and other Writing Center programs/projects
- meet with the Writing Center director and intern group for a minimum of 25 hours of seminar classes per semester
- submit a weekly log outlining your consultations and seminar hours
- participate in activities and workshops throughout the district
- bring in students who are unfamiliar with the writing center
- actively encourage students who have used the writing center to return
- work to ensure that the Writing Center is relevant to and supportive of the work that Shaker student writers—at all levels and from all grades—are doing
Interested in becoming a Writing Consultant?
We welcome students from all grades and levels to become writing consultants.
Please talk to your English teacher in order to express interest.
Then, stop by C208 to find Mrs. Matrose or a writing consultant to find out more!