Out of all the words I could use to describe myself, I don't usually think about myself as a "growing" individual. Sometimes I see myself as a static being just going through the motions of the day. Then, I realize how much I have changed in the almost four years of my college career
. The Writing Center has helped me grow in the most eye-opening ways. I can remember being nervous about tutoring and uncertain about my tutoring abilities. Over time, I have gained clarity in my tutoring skills, and I have come out of my shell. More importantly, I am immersed in a group of people who are more than just tutors. They are intentional in their interactions with others, inviting to anyone who walks by, and open to new experiences. And tutoring is rewarding in every way - from learning more about myself as a writer to helping others build confidence in writing. As you read this issue, maybe think of ways you have grown over the past few years. The realizations may surprise you.
"Get out of your comfort zone!" This is a cliché expression we hear all the time. However, I have, over time, become a fan of clichés. After all, they are clichés for a reason. This phrase could not ring more true for myself not only as a writer, but also as a person in college. I was the guy who played soccer all in high school and occasionally read. Deep down, there was a part of me who deeply appreciated writing, it just took a little confidence to unleash a side of Grant that had been fighting to make it on top. Not just academically, but personally, writing has become an everyday love. How did this come about? Growth. Growth is such a hopeful word to me. It means there is change in the future, lessons to be learned, and newness awaiting. Moreover, growth is not to be confused with perfection, but it is a time of understanding, searching, and progress. In Aseop's Fable, the turtle teaches us to be slow and steady. After two years as a tutor in the Writing Center, I see my growth. I certainly know there's more to come, and that's the most exciting part. Don't be scared of growth, but embrace it. Be encouraged by others who are growing; it is only natural.
- Grant Gilliam
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Voices of
the
Writing Center
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"How have you
grown as a writer from working as a tutor?"
"As a writer, I can definitely say I have become more aware of what I am doing with my own writing. For me, I feel like working on other people's writing has strengthened my ability to use what I know of the English language. It has helped me to be more pertinent and utilize grammar in a way where it cuts like a knife."
"How do you expect to grow as a tutor in the next couple of semesters?"
"I do not want to be afraid to ask questions. Also, different people may be able to offer their variety of strengths to help a student. I would like to see more of that in the Writing Center as a whole. Sometimes one person may know APA really well, but I might be able to help with a creative part of it. I think that could be cool!"
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Mississippi College
Writing Center
1
st floor,
Leland Speed Library
Hours:
- M -Th: 9 am - 8 pm
- F: 9 am - 3 pm
Stay Connected on Social Media:
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Tutors were asked to submit 10 words to describe the Writing Center, and "community" was used the most!
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Setting Up An Appointment Through WCOnline
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Why "Growth" As A Theme?
This school year, we, as a Writing Center, have grown into a new, vibrant space and have gained a larger number of tutors - over 40 in all! However, growth can be deeper than just the outward aspects of it. We chose to focus on different areas of growth. Hope you enjoy. Keep growing!
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Growth of New Tutors
"Dude, are you going to drop that class?" One of my classmates asked me this question after only a few days in ENG 398 (Practicum in Writing Consulting), and I have to admit that I considered it. I wondered if a business major like me should take on a 300-level English class, and I was nervous about the work this class would involve. Despite my reservations, I decided to stick with the class, and I'm so glad I did. The class allowed me to grow as a writer, develop skills for tutoring, and more importantly, become a part of the Writing Center community.
I have been working in the Writing Center for a couple of months now, and it's been an adventure. I've been able to connect with several other tutors and learn from them. One of the most important things I'm learning is that you never stop learning. You will never know it all and that's a good thing. Each day of work brings new people, new challenges, and new opportunities. It is impossible to know what each session will hold, but that's what makes the Writing Center exciting and unique. Out of the sessions I've had, some have been fun and seemed natural while others were more challenging. Even though these sessions seem challenging, they provide an opportunity for me to learn something new. I'm learning how to interact with students from different countries; I'm seeing the application of principles learned in ENG 398; I'm learning how to help students with writing from a variety of academic disciplines; with each session, I develop a little more confidence. The Writing Center has given me the opportunity to see the value of confidence and a healthy amount of reflection in tutoring. Each session will force me to encounter an uncertain situation, but this also means that each session will give me another chance to grow. Ralph Waldo Emerson says it best, "Unless you try to do something beyond what you have already mastered, you will never grow."
- Will Tobermann
I think I'll grow a lot but with some turmoil thrown in the mix. I think I'll grow in my knowledge of English, as I try to understand the rules that dictate why our language works the way it does. I also expect to strengthen my ability to sort out my opinion of a student's assignment, and then share it in an effective way. This is key, because, "it doesn't matter what you say, it matters what they [the students] hear."
I won't stop there: if we see to the root of these two thoughts, we see that they hold a lot of promise - not just promise to make me a better tutor. Examining the English language can teach me to examine the ground I'm already standing on - that might mean investigating my political biases, or blind spots in my conscience, or genuinely examining my religious beliefs. The second thought involves taking an idea, diagnosing my opinion on it, and sharing that opinion in a constructive and balanced way - if it's an appropriate time to share my thoughts. This could go without saying, but I'll say it anyway: that's a great skill to have.
Finally, we've got to go full circle and mention turmoil - we can't talk about growth without it. No one ever grew without some effort first; crops grow out of soil that's been tilled, and sometimes our hearts or minds need to be cultivated by the sharp plow of struggle. It typically isn't pleasant, but it's always worth it. So here's to effort; here's to growth.
- Paul Lagarde
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The Writing Center has regular staff meetings which give an
opportunity for tutors, receptionists, and administrators to improve
or develop new skills to strengthen the Writing Center community
as
a whole.
The first Writing Center staff meeting was a way for the blend of old and new tutors to meet each other. The Writing Center has over 40 tutors now, and there was a series of skill building activities to help people get acquainted with each other.
The second Writing Center staff meeting was a social media workshop. The Writing Center is becoming more and more involved with Twitter and Facebook, and the tutors came up with creative ways to promote the Writing Center on Twitter.
Mr. White and Ms. Song pose for a picture to be used on Twitter to promote the Writing Center!
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Tutor Alumni:
Transformation of the Writing Center
I had visited the Writing Center a handful of times before diving in as both a receptionist and a tutor during the fall of 2013, my junior year. The Writing Center had seen a lot of growth that year, moving from an office in Jennings to a space in the library, and I came in at a prime time to see even bigger changes begin to happen. We kept track of all appointments on paper that semester. In the spring, however, we said goodbye to the piles of paper and hello to WCOnline, whose self-scheduling system encouraged more writers to stop by. Spring semester 2014 ended with the highest number of visits the Writing Center had ever seen.
Perhaps the most-anticipated change came last year. In fall 2015, the Writing Center celebrated the grand opening of its brand new home. Who knew the old CIV room, with that sputtering clock that just wouldn't die, could look this good? The Writing Center now boasts six receptionists and around forty tutors - double the number of both when I started working here! It has been so much fun to be a part of the Writing Center and to see all of this growth firsthand. The number of tutors and visiting writers continues to increase each semester, but the mission - to help people become better writers - remains the same. I can't wait to see what's next for the Writing Center, and I will always be thankful to have been a part of this community.
- Sherree Rayner (class of 2015)
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Congrats, Lingshan!
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Alumni and current tutors gathered to celebrate the wedding of Lingshan Song, the Assistant Director of the Writing Center, on Feb. 13th, 2016, in the Chinese Christian Church of Greater Jackson located in Ridgeland, Mississippi. It was a great mix of American and Chinese cultures. We are all so happy for Lingshan and Xiwei!
Love,
The Writing Center Community
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