Our Tutors
Amy Adams
MA English Literature, Texas State University
Amy has been teaching Rhetoric and Composition at St. Edward's University since 2005. She has also taught a Freshman Seminar class, Film as Text, in the Popular Culture Learning Community since 2018, as well as working as a tutor in the St. Ed's Writing Center.
"My teaching philosophy is that learning is fun, and that writing is all about understanding your purpose and audience."
She loves to work with students at any stage in the writing process: "I can show you that you are already a master of your own writing."
Gina Cross
MLA Liberal Arts
Gina has taught Writing and Rhetoric at St. Edward’s since 2006. she also teaches a Freshman Seminar with a focus on college student mental health.
Working one-on-one with students in the Writing Center is one of her favorite activities: "I strive to help students feel comfortable, so don't worry if you are nervous about visiting the Writing Center for the first time."
She has an affinity for MLA and research papers related to literature or psychology. "I focus on helping students write papers that are rhetorically effective for their genre, purpose, and audience."
Jeffery Downs , Writing Center Director
MA Rhetoric and Composition, Texas State University
Jeffery came to the Hill as an adjunct instructor, teaching WRIT 1301 and 2302. He still teaches 2302 and looks forward to every new class.
Several years ago, he became the Writing Center Director. Jeffery enjoys the connections the Writing Center allows him to make across campus, from students to faculty, and even alumni.
"There is no such thing as 'good writing.' There is effective writing, and that means collaboration. We help make better writers, not just better writing, through collaboration, not instruction."
He also has a background in Theatre (Costume Design and Construction), is an avid quilter of 30+ years, and was a freelance writer for several A&E publications in Houston before finding his way up The Hill.
Katrina S. Baecht
MA, English Literature; Rhetoric, Texas A&M
Katrina starting teaching Writing and Rhetoric at St. Edward’s in 2012, but her favorite way to teach writing is one-on-one in the Writing Center. “I love to help students
wherever they are in the process---from trying to develop an idea to polishing off the final draft.” She’s worked with writers at every level from freshmen in high school to students working toward their Master’s degree.
Katrina believes all writing is a kind of storytelling. When she isn’t helping students with their writing, she’s working on her own craft: helping couples tell their love story by writing customized wedding ceremonies.