Writing Coaches holds training session for volunteer coaches

Writing Coaches of Montana is hosting its second online training this year for community members who want to work with students on their writing assignments. Specifically, coaches help students think critically about their writing, so they can become competent and confident writers.

The training will be held online via Zoom on Thursday, March 25, 6 p.m. to 8:45 p.m. Community members who would like to know more about the coaching program or sign up for the training should contact Rita Braun, Flathead Director of the Writing Coaches of Montana at rita@writingcoachesofmontana.org or visit www.writingcoachesofmontana.org.

In August of 2020, in response to COVID-19, the Writing Coaches of Montana developed an online coaching program and successfully completed two pilot sessions with Al Hammel at Whitefish High School and with Angie Finberg at Whitefish Middle School. The program meets FERPA (Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act) student privacy requirements and uses the Google Suite for nonprofits. Students and coaches meet online using Google Meet, a video conferencing app similar to Zoom.

The Writing Coaches of Montana started with the Missoula County Public Schools in 1995 and then expanded to Ravalli County in 2016. In 2015, Brian Schott launched the program in Whitefish and in conjunction with the Whitefish Education Foundation. In 2018, Schott brought in Jen Robbins, a middle school teacher, to launch the program in the Columbia Falls School District. Schott then brought in Rita Braun as Flathead Director in 2019 to oversee the program in both Whitefish and Columbia Falls.