Hi, my name is Sandy Tucker. I am a Transition English Instructor in the Transition Center and this is a brief summary of a very rewarding teaching experience.
I was stuck in place, looking for a way to make my Transition English class more engaging while also building stronger relationships with my students. Drawing from my background at a wilderness education program for troubled kids and elementary education, I decided that I wanted to strengthen the "celebration" part of the writing process. I felt that "publishing" student work would show respect for their thoughts, beliefs, and hard work - something transition students often felt was missing.
With the support of the Director of the Transition Center, a Planning Team, and my co-workers, we brainstormed a variety of ideas. Eventually, we decided to use the idea of a 1960s coffee house setting as the platform. We felt this would give the students a safe, yet inspiring, place to share. For our venue, we The "DDCC Coffee House" includes low-lighting, coffee or other seasonal beverages, simple snacks, and a microphone-equipped stage setting. We found out how even shy and introverted students could love getting up to share their personal essays reflecting their life journeys in an intimate setting! Works of art, poetry, singing, and instrument playing were also encouraged. The coffee house was a huge success and although it was interrupted by COVID, we hope to reintroduce it soon!
