Photograph: Andriy Popov/Alamy

The advent of ChatGPT has writers and educators at all levels in an uproar. Journalists and other professional writers are concerned their jobs may be threatened. Schools across the country are either banning software applications or trying to determine how to implement them into their curriculum. Students in all grade levels are beginning to use them to respond to writing prompts, craft essays, and even pass sophisticated tests. All of this begs the question: Why even teach writing at all?

Both Jane and Elaine agree that their experience as coaches is essential to their new roles as site coordinators.

“To have that experience having worked with the students, built a rapport with them, from reluctant to someone who is engaged and willing to put their thoughts on paper,” Elaine says.

“It helps us as site coordinators to understand the coaches’ concerns,” Jane adds. “To value their efforts and them showing up every week.”

Cigan Valentine is a senior at Berkeley High School who attended King Middle School, where she had her first encounter with a writer coach. She shares her story.

Coach Chet Martine writes, “In the East Bay, for 20-plus years WriterCoach Connection has placed vetted and trained coaches into classrooms”

As a Board Member, I’m writing today to sincerely thank you for supporting our mission at WriterCoach Connection (WCC) over the last few years. Your continued support has enabled us to coach 1,473 middle and high school students last year, and we look forward to supporting 2,000 students this year.

Priscilla Myrick has volunteered as a WriterCoach for 20 years. She shares her reflections on this extraordinary year of online coaching.

In looking back over 20 years, we’re amazed, humbled and grateful at what our coaches, staff, donors and grantors have made possible.

Asano Fertig has volunteered as a Writer Coach since 2003 . She shared her stories with WCC Technical Site Coordinator/Intern Maya Luis.

Rena Fischer has volunteered as a Writer Coach since 2013. She shared her stories with WCC Technical Site Coordinator/Intern Robson Swift.

WriterCoach Connection stands in solidarity with our AAPI communities and honors the legacy of Fred T. Korematsu.

“By writing and expanding what you’re thinking, you can make sure you are clear about your understanding.” Gilberto Cooper, a Writer Coach since 2016, shares his coach stories with Technical Site Coordinator/Intern Arely Guillen.

Sugar Bear Taylor has volunteered as a Writer Coach since 2017 . She shared her stories with WCC Technical Site Coordinator/Intern Grace Young.

In partnership with Berkeley Public Schools Fund, WriterCoach Connection serves 7th and 8th graders at Longfellow Middle School.

“Most people talk very well, and what is writing? It’s just writing it down.”

“As an alumna from Richmond High School Class of 2017, I experienced firsthand the joys and benefits of participating in the WriterCoach Connection program.”

We’ve discovered that we still have a powerful impact on students, even coaching virtually.

Betty Reid Soskin Middle School in El Sobrante, CA has partnered with WCC since 2017 to bring writer coaching to its students.