I do not remember a time in my life when I didn’t enjoy writing. Personal journals, story writing, poetry and tutoring, were hobbies when I was not reading or visiting the library. I am happier when I am writing or reading. My professional life for over twenty years had been nursing. Twelve hour days on my feet, caring for patients, their families, eating on the run, and dealing with emergencies or death created my need to escape into books, or writing when I got home at night. I decided to set a goal to write a book. I was no longer happy keeping writing in my pocket. I needed to share my joy of writing. Ninety days later I mailed a query letter to a publisher and one month later I was offered publication. Although it was 180 pages of imperfection, it was also my first goal met in writing for others. It was an eye opening experience because I made a lot of mistakes. I knew I wanted to write more, and write better. At forty, I returned to school to study writing and read great writers. Moreover, I wanted to be guided by professionals in literature. I gave notice at my nursing job and tried to explain that I was quitting to go back to school full time to get my bachelor’s degree in English literature. Many thought I was crazy, and as a single mom, I was terrified but excited.
Very quickly, I realized how inept I was at writing for discourse. I went from writing high school five paragraph essays to a fiction novel. Neither required knowledge of a specific “voice” to my writing. My academic writing skills were non-existent. My professors were supportive and offered their time to help me develop my strengths and overcome my weaknesses in writing. As my skills increased, I was asked to join the student journal and consider becoming a tutor. I worked at the student tutor center about 12 hours per week on campus. I also worked voluntarily about six hours per week editing and proofreading student work for the school journal and for student friends. Through my work at the tutor center I began to realize the gap in writing skills between high school and college.
I found that new college students rarely understood the techniques of writing for audience and discourse. Their ability to go beyond a four page research essay was limited and frustrating. My professors discussed this issue with me every time I brought it up. How can we fix this? Should it begin at the high school level? This began my desire to help high school students develop their writing skills to make the transition from high school to college writing more effective.
I started keeping lesson plans before I really knew I would someday teach. I developed class outlines about writing for discourse, writing what the teacher wants to hear, and creating subject specific essays. This was the year [2011] before I opened my business “Traylor Writing Services Center & Bookstore” in Columbus, Indiana.
While I did offer fee based classes, I also volunteered to assist young writers free guidance in story writing. The Columbus Signature Academy brought a class of 15 year old students to my business and we worked together to create self-published children books they wrote using an online platform. One of the students went on to offer her multilingual book to an African church mission [2012].
I have continued on my path of teaching high school by supporting students in the community by tutoring, creating a college scholarship supported by donated funds, and continuing to work on my lesson plans for a pre-college writing class that does not exist…yet. My students at our local high school often send me their writing to review for other classes because I return it to them quickly with edit suggestions. I learned quickly that “contract hours” for teaching is a fantasy. I never worked so many hours unpaid in my life than I have in the last 2 years. I have a hard time saying no to helping kids who genuinely want to succeed. Just a month ago, I spent 4 hours on a zoom meeting with a 7th grader who has a passion to become a writer. We looked at her writing, discussed goals, practices, and the importance of reading in the genre she wants to write. Her enthusiasm was infectious. It was a joy.
Recently [2021], I passed my core subject testing and secondary education testing enabling me to apply for a career specialist permit. The schooling after work took a year to complete at the local community university. Unfortunately, I now have to ask people from my past to help me document professional work and dedication to my subject equaling 4000 hours over the last five years. Realizing that I have not kept track of dates and names of the volunteer hours, nor kept track of those people I have helped, it seems a daunting task. I never thought that I would be required to recount so many dates and names in order to prove to a state licensing system that I am dedicated to my profession. The realization that all I have devoted my time to over the last ten years could be derailed by one person at a desk who does not know me. However, I do not give up, I get up. If I have to do so, I will find another way…until I succeed.
sherrystruthtofiction 