# data[].attributes.headline
Natalie Croney, Teacher of English, Bowling Green High School in Bowling Green, KY

# data[].attributes.subject
Natalie Croney, Teacher of English, Bowling Green High School in Bowling Green, KY

# data[].attributes.body
I write to purge my brain of jumbled thoughts that refuse to line up single-file. Writing produces clarity and order.

# data[].attributes.headline
Dr. Kia Jane Richmond, Professor, Northern Michigan University, Marquette, Michigan

# data[].attributes.subject
Dr. Kia Jane Richmond, Professor, Northern Michigan University, Marquette, Michigan

# data[].attributes.body
I write to connect myself to others. I also write because I learn while I'm writing. :)

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
kia picture blue shirt swing smile resized 2017

# data[].attributes.headline
Alysia Della Salla, fourth grade teacher in NJ

# data[].attributes.subject
Alysia Della Salla, fourth grade teacher in NJ

# data[].attributes.body
I write to express my feelings and to connect with others. Words seem to mean more to some people when they are written down. Memories are saved for years to come!

# data[].attributes.headline
Meg Leventhal - 5th grade teacher in New Jersey

# data[].attributes.subject
Meg Leventhal - 5th grade teacher in New Jersey

# data[].attributes.body
I write because it quiets my mind. Writing reveals things to me I didn’t know.

# data[].attributes.body
English Educator-Dawson County High School-Georgia

Writing
allows me to

quiet

the noise
of the world
around me.

# data[].attributes.body
I write to get to know myself better. I write to explore ideas more deeply. I write to be free.

# data[].attributes.body
I write because when I put pen to paper, I am my most honest self. I write to connect with other learners in what can sometimes feel like a solitary profession. I write to record the history of my family's life. I write to be messy and silly and sometimes insignificant, to celebrate my imperfections, to embrace process.

# data[].attributes.headline
Mary Hassenplug, ELA Supervisor, Sparta, NJ

# data[].attributes.subject
Mary Hassenplug, ELA Supervisor, Sparta, NJ

# data[].attributes.body
I write to remember that feeling of trepidation that students feel when asked to put their thoughts and feelings out there for others to see. I write to nurture a sense of community and trust--similar to what we wish for our students.  Writing reminds us that we are more similar than we are different.

# data[].attributes.headline
Emily Meixner, Coordinator, English Secondary Education, TCNJ

# data[].attributes.subject
Emily Meixner, Coordinator, English Secondary Education, TCNJ

# data[].attributes.body
I write to be in conversation with others about things I’m passionate about: books, schools, teaching. I write to figure out and refine my ideas. I write to model writing. And sometimes I write because it’s required, even now.

# data[].attributes.body
I write because, well, how the hell else are we supposed to make sense of the world? ABC=Always Be Cursive writing, right?

# data[].attributes.body
Rebecca Boyd, Glenbard East High School, IL
I write because it allows me to reflect over what I value most in life. Since I was only 7, I’ve always kept a diary or a journal that my mom stored away for me. The ability to recount all of the events and “moments” of my childhood in written form at each age is very special as I can now share these moments with my own children.

# data[].attributes.headline
Christina McCabe, Chatham High School, English teacher

# data[].attributes.subject
Christina McCabe, Chatham High School, English teacher

# data[].attributes.body
I write because it helps me to remember. I write to think. I remember a teacher saying writing IS thinking, and it is -- when I write, I form thoughts I didn't know I had.

# data[].attributes.headline
Taylor Heatherly, Wheaton North High School, IL

# data[].attributes.subject
Taylor Heatherly, Wheaton North High School, IL

# data[].attributes.body
I write to give others hope. Other people compose works that alter my perception of the world and help me believe in myself. I strive to give others the same experience through my writing.

# data[].attributes.headline
Sean Kennedy, Wheaton North High School, IL

# data[].attributes.subject
Sean Kennedy, Wheaton North High School, IL

# data[].attributes.body
I write because it offers me an opportunity to connect deeply with those around me. Through those interactions I am able to gain appreciation and insight on the beautifully unique perspectives that I am surrounded by.

# data[].attributes.headline
Sara Schumacher, English Department Chair, Glenbard East High School, IL

# data[].attributes.subject
Sara Schumacher, English Department Chair, Glenbard East High School, IL

# data[].attributes.body
I write because it allows me to uncover meaning lying just beneath the surface that I had not yet stopped to consider. Writing affords me the opportunity for release and discover at the same time while documenting the moments of my life that prompted me to sit down with my thoughts and pour out words from my soul.

# data[].attributes.body
Teacher
Chatham, NJ

I write because words are powerful. They reflect my emotions, my memories, my desires, my strongest sense of self. I can put a little piece of "me" on a piece of paper and that is pretty magical.

# data[].attributes.headline
Jenna Micko, English Teacher, Glenbard East High School, Lombard, IL

# data[].attributes.subject
Jenna Micko, English Teacher, Glenbard East High School, Lombard, IL

# data[].attributes.body
I write because it is where I can always be authentic and honest. Writing to me is one of the few talents I have. I have been very fortunate to have had teachers foster my love of writing, and, as a result, I have been able to do the same to my students. Writing is like breathing for me, and I could not live without it.

# data[].attributes.headline
Christine Turner, 4th Grade ELA teacher, Chatham, NJ

# data[].attributes.subject
Christine Turner, 4th Grade ELA teacher, Chatham, NJ

# data[].attributes.body
I write because it helps me think and clarify ideas.  I also write to encourage and inspire myself and others.

# data[].attributes.headline
Nicole Blazier, Wheaton North High School, IL

# data[].attributes.subject
Nicole Blazier, Wheaton North High School, IL

# data[].attributes.body
I write to process my thoughts and then accurately present these thoughts to others. My writing is able to express who I am, what I am thinking, and what I value better than my spoken words will ever be capable of doing.

# data[].attributes.headline
Jessica Keuth-Rahtjen, English, Speech, and Theatre, Glen Ellyn IL

# data[].attributes.subject
Jessica Keuth-Rahtjen, English, Speech, and Theatre, Glen Ellyn IL

# data[].attributes.body
I write to process, explore, create, and engage.

# data[].attributes.body
I write because it’s fun.  Taking words and thinking about the effect they have is a form of art.  Also, it allows for a deep, therapeutic reflection about life.

# data[].attributes.body
I write because it’s fun.  Taking words and thinking about the effect they have is a form of art.  Also, it allows for a deep, therapeutic reflection about life.

# data[].attributes.headline
David Goldstein, Department Head, New Providence, NJ

# data[].attributes.subject
David Goldstein, Department Head, New Providence, NJ

# data[].attributes.body
Why I write, so I can learn how to write, so that I can write to learn, about myself and others, about my other selves their other selves. The discovery of words becomes a discovery of self, of possibility and its needy helpers--regret, guilt, desire, ecstasy and desire. Why I write is as a simple as a letter, but often starts with an image--the way she puts her hair behind her ear, the way he holds the bat, wiggling it to shake off the doubt, the sound of a collar shaking in the night that reminds you of another collar not so long ago--she is gone but still prodding me to write. I write because of the beauty I cannot hold, that of the past and the present. Why I write is so that I can teach others to write, to find that collar that shakes in their mind too.

# data[].attributes.body
I write for many reasons, but most recently most of my writing time is spent developing my dissertation. . . which I hope to finish at some point this century . . .

# data[].attributes.headline
Stacy Casais, 7-12 ELA Supervisor, West Essex Regional School District

# data[].attributes.subject
Stacy Casais, 7-12 ELA Supervisor, West Essex Regional School District

# data[].attributes.body
I write to create, to make something out of nothing.  Words that have existed in my for as long as I've had them, come together in a combination that is unique.

# data[].attributes.headline
Dana Cansian, ELA, Social Studies, and World Languages Supervisor, Kenilworth, NJ

# data[].attributes.subject
Dana Cansian, ELA, Social Studies, and World Languages Supervisor, Kenilworth, NJ

# data[].attributes.body
I write to organize my thoughts and create efficient plans.

# data[].attributes.headline
Gary Pankiewicz, ELA Supervisor, Fair Lawn, NJ

# data[].attributes.subject
Gary Pankiewicz, ELA Supervisor, Fair Lawn, NJ

# data[].attributes.body
I write to share my thinking--sometimes bold and specific but other times gentle or even awkward.  I write to participate in perspective and expression.

# data[].attributes.headline
Keith Dennison, Warren Hills Regional School District, 7-12 ELA, Social Studies, and Libraries

# data[].attributes.subject
Keith Dennison, Warren Hills Regional School District, 7-12 ELA, Social Studies, and Libraries

# data[].attributes.body
I write because it slows me down and reminds me of what I do know, and what I don't know.

# data[].attributes.headline
Brendan McIsaac Hunterdon Central  - Supervisor of English & Media

# data[].attributes.subject
Brendan McIsaac Hunterdon Central  - Supervisor of English & Media

# data[].attributes.body
Because of my kids and their demand for stories and not the read a book at bedtime kind but rather the campfire kind and not the well developed, rough draft, revise, writing circle feedback kind but rather the tell all of us a story now kind and make it spooky and make sure there is a twist and make sure it involves a tree or a leaf or the moon or that house over there ok go.

So over the past five years I have become the uncle who tells on demand campfire stories to family or friends or to whomever happens to be around the firepit.  And I enjoy the challenge of spontaneous stories that are creepy and with twists but what starts to happen is you begin to see the story possibilities in everything around you and how the most ordinary things can open into the most extraordinary tales of mystery or suspense...so now I write when I drive and when I walk and go for a run and every minute...

# data[].attributes.headline
Liz McKenna, ELA Supervisor, Scotch Plains-Fanwood

# data[].attributes.subject
Liz McKenna, ELA Supervisor, Scotch Plains-Fanwood

# data[].attributes.body
I write to make sense of things and to make things real.  To give tangible life to things that are hard to pin down.

# data[].attributes.headline
Denise Velez, ELA Supervisor, Kinnelon, NJ

# data[].attributes.subject
Denise Velez, ELA Supervisor, Kinnelon, NJ

# data[].attributes.body
I write because it grants me solitude among all the chaos.

# data[].attributes.headline
Susan Fischer, ELA Supervisor, Somerset Hills  School District, NJ

# data[].attributes.subject
Susan Fischer, ELA Supervisor, Somerset Hills  School District, NJ

# data[].attributes.body
I write to...
reflect
refine my practice
read more closely
reach new ideas
remember

# data[].attributes.body
Journaling gives me the opportunity to revisit the happenings of the day. I usually get a better understanding of my feelings and reactions to what is going on.

# data[].attributes.headline
Katie Blanco, K-6 ELA Department Head New Providence

# data[].attributes.subject
Katie Blanco, K-6 ELA Department Head New Providence

# data[].attributes.body
I write to process my thoughts and to gain a clearer understanding of what I am learning, thinking, or feeling.

# data[].attributes.headline
Sharon West, ELA Supervisor, West Milford, N

# data[].attributes.subject
Sharon West, ELA Supervisor, West Milford, N

# data[].attributes.body
I write because it helps me think, clarify ideas, and make stronger, longer-term connections in my mind. It helps me process thoughts, develop ideas, plan and reflect. In a very surface way (e.g., texting), it helps me stay connected to those I care about, share a laugh and/or connect my brain (and, in some cases, heart) to theirs.

# data[].attributes.headline
Mary Kane, ELA Supervisor K-5 Parsippany-Troy Hills, NJ

# data[].attributes.subject
Mary Kane, ELA Supervisor K-5 Parsippany-Troy Hills, NJ

# data[].attributes.body
I write to free my thoughts, share my experiences, and bring about emotions. I write to bring humor to the everyday experiences that all can relate to on some level. I feel good when I write although I am never completely satisfied with my writing .

# data[].attributes.headline
Dana Ahmuty, ELA Supervisor 6-12, Parsippany, NJ

# data[].attributes.subject
Dana Ahmuty, ELA Supervisor 6-12, Parsippany, NJ

# data[].attributes.body
I write to help me organize my thoughts and ideas. It allows me to articulate what I am thinking and keeps me focused.

# data[].attributes.headline
Kenneth Kunz, K-12 Supervisor of C&I, Middlesex, NJ

# data[].attributes.subject
Kenneth Kunz, K-12 Supervisor of C&I, Middlesex, NJ

# data[].attributes.body
I write to connect teachers with ideas that can directly impact student engagement and literacy learning.  I find it exciting to share my passion for teaching and learning with other educators and to spotlight best practices that I observe in classrooms.  I write with the hope that a positive energy for impacting readers and writers will catch on not only in my district, but nationally and globally. #KidsDeserveIt

# data[].attributes.headline
Shannon Falkner, ELA Teacher, Chatham High School, NJ

# data[].attributes.subject
Shannon Falkner, ELA Teacher, Chatham High School, NJ

# data[].attributes.body
I write to connect to others and to myself. There is nothing more powerful for me than sharing my writing and feeling a reaction from others  that indicates that I've articulated something that we feel, know, or think together. Likewise, when I write and know that I've captured a feeling of my own that's been lurking, nameless, beneath the surface of my own consciousness, I feel lighter in my own body.

# data[].attributes.headline
Kate Baker, teacher, Southern Regional High School, NJ

# data[].attributes.subject
Kate Baker, teacher, Southern Regional High School, NJ

# data[].attributes.body
I write so that it gives the time and space to craft what I want to communicate. Specifically, I write blog posts to share my ideas with others, and I write emails/text messages because I  have trouble with spoken/auditory communication. And, I write poetry for the love of art.

# data[].attributes.body
Teacher,  Chatham,NJ
I write because it helps me to see and understand who I am.

# data[].attributes.headline
Adriane Collett, ELA, Teacher, Chatham, NJ

# data[].attributes.subject
Adriane Collett, ELA, Teacher, Chatham, NJ

# data[].attributes.body
I write because it makes me feel instantly connected to other people and the human experience that we are all sharing every day!

# data[].attributes.headline
Heather Rocco, ELA Supervisor, Chatham, NJ

# data[].attributes.subject
Heather Rocco, ELA Supervisor, Chatham, NJ

# data[].attributes.body
I write because it slows me down and centers me. Writing helps me understand who I am, what I remember, and how I feel.