Feet walking up steps

Unexpected Greatness

I am from the Bronx. I grew up about 15 mins away from Van Nest Academy in the Pelham Parkway. When I was in 7th grade, college to me was only a dream. I didn’t know how realistic of an option it was at that time, but I held that thought dear to my heart…

Exploring the Iroquois

Exploring the Iroquois is a collection of creative writing work written by the 4th-grade students of P.S. 677. All of the work here sprung from our investigative learning about the Native American tribe known as the Iroquois. Once local to the New York region, the Iroquois are a central part of the 4th grade curriculum,…

When I Was Alive: An Anti-Gun Violence Anthology

Welcome to When I Was Alive, an anthology of student writing from the North Bronx School of Empowerment. This anthology is the result of a special ten-week program, the Anti-Gun Violence Initiative: Art A Catalyst for Change, sponsored by New York City Council Member Laurie A. Cumbo. For this special program, Teachers & Writers Collaborative…

Old Mysterious Street

I was honored to be invited to P.S. 90K to teach a revolutionary idea to third grade students—combining nonfiction writing with research skills! I immediately decided to make Researching Your Way Into Creative Writing the program’s theme. During the 22 workshops in this program, I wanted to show students the limitless places where research material…

Old New York City photograph with Brooklyn bridge

Urban Writers

Urban Writers is a collection of personal narrative essays written by the 7th grade students of MS340 in Brooklyn, New York. The title is devised by the students of 730, reflective of the place they found themselves when tasked to navigate their sense of self in relationship to their environment. Working in conjunction with College…

Love Feels Like Freedom

Love Feels Like Freedom is an anthology of poetry by the third grade students of 457X, Sheridan Academy for Young Leaders. During the twenty days we had together, students discussed the writing of Sandra Cisneros, Walt Whitman, Aracelis Girmay, Franz Kafka, Christina Rossetti and others. Students engaged in an extensive study of the great Harlem…

A Fire Breathing Fantasy

Dedication We dedicate A Fire Breathing Fantasy to our inspiring teachers and nurturing parents. Through them, we have gained the skills to write these poems, stories, and essays, which express our creative spirit through the magic of words. The students of 3-238, 3-239, 4-206, and 4-207   In Appreciation I would like to thank Principal Meghan…

A Flower of Your Own Making

The students and I had a tradition in our poetry classes. Before we began reading and writing each day, we made sure to first “turn on our imaginations” by flipping the invisible switch on our heads, or pushing the invisible buttons on our chest, or cranking the invisible lever on our back. Each student had…

Teachers & Writers Magazine

Teachers & Writers Collaborative: www.twc.org