Writing Coaches of Montana seeks volunteers for 2024-25 school year

Writing Coaches of Montana seeks community members in Flathead County to participate in its coaching program with the mission of helping students in Columbia Falls, Evergreen, Kalispell and Whitefish school districts improve their writing skills. 

Specifically, the program seeks to help students think critically about their writing assignments so they can become confident and competent writers across disciplines. 

Flexibility is built into the Writing Coaches of Montana volunteer experience. Once trained, there is no minimum hour requirement or coaching schedule. Instead, volunteers are informed by staff as teachers make requests and then volunteers choose which assignments, schools, and grade levels (4-12) they coach. 

No experience is necessary because volunteers will learn best coaching practices while being trained by qualified individuals. To become a volunteer, community members can attend an upcoming training session from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. Sept. 19  via Zoom. For individuals who cannot attend, Writing Coaches of Montana will offer in–person workshops throughout the school year.  

Teacher Kristi Sanders has utilized the additional writing help in her classroom at Kalispell Middle School. 

“It is wonderful to watch my teenage students light up as they share their writing with someone who really listens to them and hears their intent with respect and enthusiasm. In a hectic world, the writing coaches give space for real life connections and mentoring. No matter their skill level or situation, my students leave the interaction with a confidence that nothing else could replicate.”  

For more information, or to volunteer, email Writing Coaches of Montana Flathead Coordinator Jeanne Wdowin at jeanne@writingcoachesofmontana.org for information or visit https://writingcoachesofmontana.org/get-involved-2/volunteers.html.