Writing Coaches seeks Flathead Valley community volunteers

Writing Coaches of Montana seeks community members in Flathead County to participate in its coaching program with the mission of helping local students improve their writing skills. Specifically, the program works to help students think critically about their writing assignments so they can become confident and competent writers across multiple disciplines.

No experience is necessary because volunteers will learn more about the program and best writing instruction practices while being trained by qualified individuals.

To become a volunteer, community members can attend a virtual training on Thursday, Sept. 15, from 6 to 8:45 p.m. Email Writing Coaches Flathead Coordinator Jeanne Wdowin at jeanne@writingcoachesofmontana.org for information. Or, visit writingcoachesofmontana.org and under “News & Events” go to the public calendar, advance to Sept. 15 and register. WCM staff will be available for follow-up questions at any time.

During the 2022-23 school year, volunteers will coach in-person at schools and when necessary online using Google Meet. Coaches may choose their preference of in-person or virtual coaching when offered. In August of 2020, in response to COVID-19, Writing Coaches of Montana developed an online coaching program that meets FERPA (Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act) student privacy requirements and uses the Google Suite for Nonprofits.

During the 2021-2022 school year Cassie Sheets, the program’s Executive Director, along with Jeanne Wdowin, Flathead Regional Coordinator, ran a coaching program in schools across Montana, including the following local schools: Whitefish High School, Whitefish Middle School, Columbia Falls High School, Kalispell Middle School, and Muldown Elementary School.

Target Range School District Superintendent Heather Davis Schmidt says, "Writing Coaches do so much more than support writing. They also build relationships with students, bridge generational gaps, provide positive perspectives from another trusted adult, and give hope to those who are struggling."

Community members interested in learning more about the program can visit writingcoachesofmontana.org or contact WCM staff.

The Writing Coaches of Montana started with the Missoula County Public Schools in 1995 and then expanded to Ravalli County in 2016 and Flathead County in 2019.