A Summary of 2022-2023 Writing Coaches

Jeanne Wdowin has again led an amazingly dedicated group of volunteers to serve Whitefish students for the Writing Coaches of Montana.

• 44 local coaches volunteered 307 hours of service, working with 921 students; 
• Sessions included:
  • November 2022
    • Wesley Webb, US Government, Grade 12, 84 sessions 
    • Jessica Mintz, ELA, Grade 7, 45 sessions
    • Jennifer Kavanaugh, ELA, Grade 7, 99 sessions
  • December 2022
    • Nikki Reed, ELA, Grade 9, 56 sessions
  • January 2023
    • Angie Finberg, ELA, Grade 8, 108 sessions
    • Shannon Holler, ELA, Grade 8, 43 sessions
  • February 2023
    • Meta Barnes, ELA, Grade 6, 28 sessions
    • Kassidy Fischer, ELA, Grade 6, 28 sessions
    • Tim McGunagle, ELA, Grade 6, 28 sessions
    • Amy Rosenthal, ELA, Grade 6, 28 sessions
  • March 2023
    • Kassidy Fischer, ELA, Grade 6, 56 sessions
    • Amy Rosenthal, ELA, Grade 6, 56 sessions
    • Meta Barnes, ELA, Grade 6, 56 sessions
    • Tim McGunagle, ELA, Grade 6, 56 sessions
  • April 2023
    • Kristen Bickford, Grade 4, 20 sessions
    • Jessica Qunel, Grade 4, 20 sessions
    • Monica Shadle, Grade 4, 20 sessions
    • Nicole Smith, Grade 4, 20 sessions
    • Andrew Staub, Grade 4, 20 sessions
    • Marnie Thomas, Grade 4, 20 sessions

May 2023

• Kristen Bickford, Grade 4, 5 sessions
• Jessica Qunel, Grade 4, 5 sessions
• Monica Shadle, Grade 4, 5 sessions
• Nicole Smith, Grade 4, 5 sessions
• Andrew Staub, Grade 4, 5 sessions
• Marnie Thomas, Grade 4, 5 sessions

• Here is some of the feedback we received from students:
  • “She was super helpful and was giving me great advice to add to my paper based on ideas that I already had! I loved her personal insight that she added to my research and how she seemed super passionate along with me about my research paper!”
  • “The most hopeful thing was when I read my essay out loud and she pointed out where I had assumed that readers would possess knowledge that they may not, therefore I needed to add more explanation about terms that I utilized.”
  • [It was helpful that my coach] listened to my ideas and developed upon them instead of just writing how they would really helped me. It made me feel proud of my writing and improved my writing capabilities.”
  • “I felt like just being able to comfortably go through my writing with someone was very empowering. I don’t share my writing with many so it was nice to hear some feedback.”
  • “It was most helpful to receive, from a different point of view, the way my writing is seen and how it can be perceived. It was helpful also to get suggestions on introducing a work of writing in a bold way, or whatever the mood of the piece requires.”
  • “It was nice to share a story with someone else and not be judged.”

As always, Whitefish remains a leader in innovative programming opportunities, so we look forward to figuring out the process of how to do this valuable work together.

Cassie Sheets

Executive Director

Writing Coaches of Montana