Because I am a teacher who writes....
I understand how difficult it is to sometimes bring words to the page.
I know how important it is to connect with an authentic audience.
I can show my students how to take their writing to the next level.
I know what it feels like to struggle and wrestle with words & ideas.
I can share the magical feeling that comes from finding just the right words to say what I wanted to say.
My students see me as someone who walks the walk.
I understand that the writing process is not a straight road, but rather route filled with zigzags, detours, closed roads, side trips, tourist sites and rest stops.
My writing can be my mentor texts.
It builds a writing community in our classroom.
I can't imagine learning to cook from someone who had never stepped foot in a kitchen. Why would I expect that I could teach writing without ever picking up the pen myself?
Because I am a teacher who writes, I am a better writing teacher.