Benjamin V.

My approach to teaching writing begins with an invitation to my students to consider themselves as authors. It is accessible to everyone. With consideration for my student’s identities— race, gender, sexuality, language and socioeconomic backgrounds, my pursuit is to cultivate personal, individual growth. We will learn effective, authorial techniques and develop publishing and presentation skills too.

I emphasize reading as essential. Good writers are merely passionate readers who are willing to put in time and effort to practice their craft. My students become proficient readers of fiction, nonfiction, and academic texts.

It is important to me that I understand the individual tastes and academic goals of my students. Unfortunately many students come to my classroom already convinced that their skills in English are insufficient and that their voices have no place in the conventional English course. I want my students to reflect on the stories that they have lived, the interests that they are passionate about, and the degree and career pathways that they are are considering as launching points for their own writing. I want to develop their skills to create works that are useful to their progress as students and professionals in the real world.

I see my role as teacher as a guide— to help students encounter the writing that excites them and mentor them through discovering their own approach to composition. I also see myself as a model for the process of reading, research, and writing (learning in general). I give my students the opportunity to see me prewrite, organize, and research. I ask my students to question what they read and to make connections to their own lives. I use workshops where my students can watch me compose for a moment, implementing a practical writer’s technique.

“ Benjamin plans differentiated lessons in the areas of reading, writing, research, social studies, and science. His students have shown growth in their reading comprehension, writing skills, and overall communication skills throughout each school year. He has excellent classroom management skills. He takes great pride in developing a calm and positive learning environment with positive rapport and mutual respect.

He is communicative with parents about his student’s self-management skills. He integrates technology into his planning and instruction and is always looking to improve or adapt learning experiences to get the most from them. Parents and students have all been consistently satisfied with Benjamin as their teacher. “

- Shannon Hickey Alvarez

English Coordinator at The American School of Puebla