Two Writing Teachers Podcast

In the Tip for Tomorrow, Melanie explains the power of three, a simple but effective writing technique that helps students create rhythm, build meaning, and make writing more memorable. Whether students are writing narratives, informational pieces, or arguments, three carefully selected details can transform basic text more elaborated composition.

Texts Mentioned include:

• Bat and the End of Everything by Elana K. Arnold
• The Titanic by Melissa Stewart

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You may contact us directly if you want us to consult with your school district.

• Melanie Meehan: meehanmelanie@gmail.com
• Stacey Shubitz: stacey@staceyshubitz.com

Email us at contact@twowritingteachers.org for affiliate or sponsorship opportunities.

For more about teaching writing, head to the Two Writing Teachers blog.

In this season five premiere, Stacey Shubitz and Melanie Meehan discuss the key issues affecting writing instruction at the moment. They examine the current debate over technology in the classroom, weighing the benefits and challenges of using digital tools for young writers. The conversation covers the neurological and educational value of handwriting, the increasing influence of AI and automation on student writing, and the significant role of oral language development. The hosts also explore how teachers can balance assignments with student choice to promote agency and genuine engagement in writing. Listeners can expect thought-provoking dialogue, useful insights, and a preview of upcoming conversations with expert guests.

Mentioned in the Episode:

• “Balancing Choice and Assignments in Writing Instruction: Finding Common Ground” by Stacey Shubitz
• “Connecting Caregivers: The Importance of Oral Language“ by Melanie Meehan
• Cultivating the Reader and Writer: Teaching Literacy as an Integrated Science by Young-Suk Grace Kim
• Finding Common Ground Blog Series (August 2026) by the Co-Authors of TWTBlog
• Foundational Skills for Writing: A Brain-Based Guide to Strengthen Executive Functions, Language, and Other Cornerstones for Writers by Melanie Meehan and Maggie Beattie Roberts
• More Than Words: How to Think About Writing in the Age of AI by John Warner
• Writing Workshop in Contentious Times: A Digging Deeper Dialogue with Stacey Shubitz and Melanie Meehan

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Please subscribe to our podcast and leave us ratings/reviews on your favorite listening platform.

You may contact us directly if you want us to consult with your school district.

• Melanie Meehan: meehanmelanie@gmail.com
• Stacey Shubitz: stacey@staceyshubitz.com

Email us at contact@twowritingteachers.org for affiliate or sponsorship opportunities.

For more about teaching writing, head to the Two Writing Teachers blog.

In the season four finale, Stacey Shubitz and Melanie Meehan tackle the increasingly contentious topic of “writing workshop” in today’s educational climate. They reflect on the origins and evolution of the writing workshop, the research supporting its key principles, and why certain foundational practices remain crucial, even if the label itself is under fire. Drawing from recent evidence-based recommendations and their own classroom experiences, Stacey and Melanie unpack what truly effective writing instruction looks like and why authentic, joyful writing communities matter now more than ever.

Resources Mentioned:

• “All Children Can Write” by Donald H. Graves
• Common Core State Standards for English Language Arts
• “Evidence-based recommendations for teaching writing” by Steve Graham, Alyson A. Collins & Stephen Ciullo
• Literacy Specialist Graduate Program at Teachers College
• More Than Words: How to Think about Writing in the Age of AI by John Warner
• Sentence Structure for Young Writers: A Tip for Tomorrow from Melanie
• The Art of Teaching Writing by Lucy Calkins
• Transfer Writing Skills Across Genres: A Tip for Tomorrow from Stacey
• Writing, 20th Anniversary Ed.: Teachers & Children at Work by Donald H. Graves

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You may contact us directly if you want us to consult with your school district.

• Melanie Meehan: meehanmelanie@gmail.com
• Stacey Shubitz: stacey@staceyshubitz.com

Email us at contact@twowritingteachers.org for affiliate or sponsorship opportunities.

For more about teaching writing, head to the Two Writing Teachers blog.

In this episode, Stacey dives into what happens when educators reconnect with the familiar passions that ground them after a demanding school year. While the daily hustle of teaching often forces educators to put their own needs on the back burner, summertime presents a vital opportunity for them to reclaim their personal identities. Through a reflection on what it means to be a "swimmer with a lowercase s," Stacey explores the powerful shift that happens when teachers step out of their educator personas and reconnect with their own identity as writers. This episode is a call to action for teachers to dust off their notebooks, embrace writing practices that bring them joy, and find peace in the rhythm of the craft. Listeners will discover how making time for their inner writer this summer can help them unplug, decompress, and build a writing repertoire for future school years.

GO DEEPER:

• Listen to one of our first TWT podcast episodes, “Why Teachers Should Write.”
• Read Creating a Consistent & Meaningful Writing Life, or It's Not Magic (but it IS): The Power of Being a Teacher Who Writes.
• Check the deep TWTBlog archives by visiting the category “teacher of writing.”
• Check out Tapping the Writer Within: Practical Ways to Help All Students Claim Their Wri-dentity by Ralph Fletcher.

Send us Fan Mail

Please subscribe to our podcast and leave us ratings/reviews on your favorite listening platform.

You may contact us directly if you want us to consult with your school district.

• Melanie Meehan: meehanmelanie@gmail.com
• Stacey Shubitz: stacey@staceyshubitz.com

Email us at contact@twowritingteachers.org for affiliate or sponsorship opportunities.

For more about teaching writing, head to the Two Writing Teachers blog.

This episode features a rich conversation with author and educator M. Colleen Cruz about her new book, Neurodiversity in the Literacy Classroom: The General Educator’s Guide to IEPs, Dyslexia, ADHD, Autism, and More. Colleen shares the story behind the book and explains why information about neurodivergent learners must move out of special education silos and into every general education classroom. Melanie, Stacey, and Colleen explore universal design for learning (UDL), explicit writing instruction, and concrete strategies to reduce instructional obstacles so that vulnerable learners can fully participate. They also discuss strengths-based IEPs, collaboration between general and special educators, and practical classroom strategies—from fine-motor supports to executive-function scaffolds—that help all writers, not just those with identified disabilities. Throughout the episode, Colleen emphasizes curiosity as a core stance for teachers seeking to better understand students’ behaviors, needs, and potential in the writing workshop.

M. Colleen Cruz is an educator, independent consultant, and author committed to making rich literacy education accessible. Her popular books include The Unstoppable Writing Teacher, the Writers Read Better series, and Border Crossing, a Tomás Rivera Mexican- American Children’s Books Finalist. Her student-centered, research-driven work is used by classroom teachers, administrators, and teacher education programs nationally and internationally. She lives in Brooklyn with her family, her persnickety dog Charlie, and way too many books.

Connect with Colleen Online:

• Instagram: @mcolleencruz
• LinkedIn: m-colleen-cruz
• Substack: @mcolleencruz
• X: @colleen_cruz
• Website: colleencruz.com

Mentioned in the episode:

• Archaeology of Self: The Introspective Educator’s Guide to Racial Literacy by Yolanda Sealey-Ruiz
• "Living with Dignity in Education: How noticing dignity can transform teaching, learning, and collaboration" by Leah Mermelstein
• Maryanne Wolf

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Send us Fan Mail

Please subscribe to our podcast and leave us ratings/reviews on your favorite listening platform.

You may contact us directly if you want us to consult with your school district.

• Melanie Meehan: meehanmelanie@gmail.com
• Stacey Shubitz: stacey@staceyshubitz.com

Email us at contact@twowritingteachers.org for affiliate or sponsorship opportunities.

For more about teaching writing, head to the Two Writing Teachers blog.

Melanie introduces customizable writing bingo boards to keep students writing over summer. These boards combine playful activities with purposeful skill-building, like fine motor and oral language development, while encouraging writing for real audiences. The approach is flexible for primary and upper elementary students and easy to adapt. Families can support writing at home, making summer a time for growth instead of regression.

Summer is a great time for young writers to build foundational skills, explore topics, and share their work with the world. These BINGO boards provide inspiration and ideas. One board is for primary students, the other for older writers. Both focus on play, purpose, and audience. Enjoy!

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Send us Fan Mail

Please subscribe to our podcast and leave us ratings/reviews on your favorite listening platform.

You may contact us directly if you want us to consult with your school district.

• Melanie Meehan: meehanmelanie@gmail.com
• Stacey Shubitz: stacey@staceyshubitz.com

Email us at contact@twowritingteachers.org for affiliate or sponsorship opportunities.

For more about teaching writing, head to the Two Writing Teachers blog.

​This year’s 11th Annual Author Spotlight Series transforms professional creators into accessible mentors to help you inspire the next generation of writers and artists. We dive into the diverse creative processes of Gabbie Benda, Lauren Castillo, R. Gregory Christie, Julie Leung, Orit Magia, Àlàbá Ònájìn, and Mel Rosenberg. From demystifying graphic novel drafts to mastering the synergy between words and images, these experts share the practical "how-to" behind their craft. To bring this magic directly to your students, we share how you can enter to win exciting book giveaways and exclusive virtual author visits. Tune in to find the tools and inspiration needed to integrate professional artistry into your classroom writing time.

Preview the series on Two Writing Teachers.

Learn more and follow this year’s authors and illustrators on Instagram:

• Gabbie Benda: @patchysourkids
• Lauren Castillo: @studiocastillo
• R. Gregory Christie: @rgregorychristie
• Julie Leung: @jleungbooks
• Orit Magia: @oritmagia
• Àlàbá Ònájìn: @alabaonajin
• Mel Rosenberg: @writer_inventor_musician

Send us Fan Mail

Please subscribe to our podcast and leave us ratings/reviews on your favorite listening platform.

You may contact us directly if you want us to consult with your school district.

• Melanie Meehan: meehanmelanie@gmail.com
• Stacey Shubitz: stacey@staceyshubitz.com

Email us at contact@twowritingteachers.org for affiliate or sponsorship opportunities.

For more about teaching writing, head to the Two Writing Teachers blog.

Stacey is joined by beloved authors and educators Lily Howard Scott and Ralph Fletcher to explore how teacher language shapes students’ writerly identities. They examine what it means to make writing personal and joyful, even amid standards, rubrics, and formulaic structures like the five-paragraph essay. Lily and Ralph offer practical tips for using inclusive, encouraging language that welcomes every child and keeps their voices at the center. The conversation also explores the impact of AI, asking important questions about creativity, authenticity, and how we help young writers distinguish real writing from AI-generated text. This episode will leave you rethinking how your words as a teacher can help build or limit students’ confidence and independence as writers.

Ralph Fletcher has written over fifty books for writing teachers and young readers. His books include Fig Pudding, Flying Solo, Marshfield Dreams: When I Was a Kid, Joy Write, Craft Lessons, and Writing Workshop: The Essential Guide. His most recent book for writing teachers is Tapping the Writer Within: Practical Ways to Help All Students Claim Their Wri-dentity (published by Corwin).

Ralph visits schools and frequently speaks at educational conferences around the world, helping teachers find wiser ways of teaching writing. Check out his website, or follow him on Facebook or Instagram.

Lily Howard Scott, MSEd is an educator and author. She teaches graduate school at Bank Street College of Education and supports school leaders, teachers, and caregivers around the country with literacy learning and social and emotional learning.

For nearly 10 years, Lily taught elementary school in both independent and public settings. She is the author of The Words That Shape Us (Scholastic), selected by UC Berkeley’s Greater Good Science Center as a Top Book for Educators in 2025. Learn more about Lily from her website or follow her on Instagram.

Go Deeper

• More Than Words: How to Think About Writing in the Age of AI by John Warner + a related podcast
• The Mind-Expanding Ideas of Andy Clark

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Send us Fan Mail

Please subscribe to our podcast and leave us ratings/reviews on your favorite listening platform.

You may contact us directly if you want us to consult with your school district.

• Melanie Meehan: meehanmelanie@gmail.com
• Stacey Shubitz: stacey@staceyshubitz.com

Email us at contact@twowritingteachers.org for affiliate or sponsorship opportunities.

For more about teaching writing, head to the Two Writing Teachers blog.

Stacey spotlights a foundational principle of writing instruction: "Teach, don’t just tell." Inspired by Sarah Valter’s insights and rooted in educational research, she explores the impact of modeling: making the invisible processes of writing visible for our students. You’ll hear about the difference between simply giving directions and authentically showing your thinking and writing moves, and why this distinction matters so much for young writers. Stacey also discusses practical ways to shift from telling to teaching and offers reflective questions to help you examine your own classroom practices.

GO DEEPER:

• Read “Teachers Model and Think Aloud: Practices of Great Writing Teachers” by Sarah Valter

Use these reflective questions:

1) Do you mostly give directions, or do you model your thinking and writing?

2) In one-on-one conferences, do your questions and feedback help students try new strategies, or do you just tell them what to do next?

3) When you use mentor texts, are they published works, curriculum samples, or your own writing?

4) If you use your own writing, do you show your process? That is, do you let students see your thinking, mistakes, revisions, and decisions?

5) Are you only sharing the finished product, or also the rough drafts and your thoughts about them?

6) What chances do you give students to see your real process, and do you invite their questions or encourage them to notice your writing moves?

Send us Fan Mail

Please subscribe to our podcast and leave us ratings/reviews on your favorite listening platform.

You may contact us directly if you want us to consult with your school district.

• Melanie Meehan: meehanmelanie@gmail.com
• Stacey Shubitz: stacey@staceyshubitz.com

Email us at contact@twowritingteachers.org for affiliate or sponsorship opportunities.

For more about teaching writing, head to the Two Writing Teachers blog.

In this episode, we talk with Two Writing Teachers Contributing Writer Jess Mazzone about using AI to scaffold and gamify test prep. By generating model responses, encouraging analysis, and adding elements of play, AI can help shift test prep from routine practice to more engaging, meaningful learning for students.

Go Deeper

• Scaffold and Gamify Test Prep With AI

Send us Fan Mail

Please subscribe to our podcast and leave us ratings/reviews on your favorite listening platform.

You may contact us directly if you want us to consult with your school district.

• Melanie Meehan: meehanmelanie@gmail.com
• Stacey Shubitz: stacey@staceyshubitz.com

Email us at contact@twowritingteachers.org for affiliate or sponsorship opportunities.

For more about teaching writing, head to the Two Writing Teachers blog.

In this episode, Melanie shares three ways to inspire and scaffold students with exemplar and mentor pieces of writing.

Go Deeper:

• Reimagining Immersion
• Immersion in Writing Workshop is Always Worth the Time

Send us Fan Mail

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You may contact us directly if you want us to consult with your school district.

• Melanie Meehan: meehanmelanie@gmail.com
• Stacey Shubitz: stacey@staceyshubitz.com

Email us at contact@twowritingteachers.org for affiliate or sponsorship opportunities.

For more about teaching writing, head to the Two Writing Teachers blog.

This episode features Doug Kaufman and Tracey-Ann Lafayette talking about student activism, voice, and writing as a tool for social change. They explore how students move from personal concerns to purposeful action through inquiry, research, and dialogue.

• Books mentioned in the podcast
• Article by Doug Kaufman

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Please subscribe to our podcast and leave us ratings/reviews on your favorite listening platform.

You may contact us directly if you want us to consult with your school district.

• Melanie Meehan: meehanmelanie@gmail.com
• Stacey Shubitz: stacey@staceyshubitz.com

Email us at contact@twowritingteachers.org for affiliate or sponsorship opportunities.

For more about teaching writing, head to the Two Writing Teachers blog.

Two Writing Teacher Co-author Jessica Carey joins Melanie to talk about the power of read alouds with tips and strategies that you can use right away in literacy instruction. Jess is a literacy coordinator in Westport, CT, and she is inspirational in the work she does every day with young learners.

Go Deeper:

• Owen Davey
• No More Chairs by Dan Gill
• Teachers Read Professionally- a blog post from Jess Carey

Send us Fan Mail

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You may contact us directly if you want us to consult with your school district.

• Melanie Meehan: meehanmelanie@gmail.com
• Stacey Shubitz: stacey@staceyshubitz.com

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For more about teaching writing, head to the Two Writing Teachers blog.

In this tip for tomorrow, Melanie talks about why morphology is so important as students learn and use words. She also offers strategies for how to build students' skills in this critical area.

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You may contact us directly if you want us to consult with your school district.

• Melanie Meehan: meehanmelanie@gmail.com
• Stacey Shubitz: stacey@staceyshubitz.com

Email us at contact@twowritingteachers.org for affiliate or sponsorship opportunities.

For more about teaching writing, head to the Two Writing Teachers blog.

Conferences don’t always go as planned, but you can quickly get back on track with a simple reset. Whether a student shuts down, you start over-teaching, or time runs out, each situation has a quick recovery line to try. Pause to rebuild trust, return control to the student, or end with a clear next step. These small pivots help students feel supported and keep your conferences productive. Pick one reset to try in tomorrow’s writing workshop.

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Please subscribe to our podcast and leave us ratings/reviews on your favorite listening platform.

You may contact us directly if you want us to consult with your school district.

• Melanie Meehan: meehanmelanie@gmail.com
• Stacey Shubitz: stacey@staceyshubitz.com

Email us at contact@twowritingteachers.org for affiliate or sponsorship opportunities.

For more about teaching writing, head to the Two Writing Teachers blog.

In this episode, Stacey talks with Melanie Meehan and Maggie Roberts about their book, Foundational Skills for Writing: A Brain-Based Guide to Strengthen Executive Functions, Language, and Other Cornerstones for Writers. The discussion highlights the "Conversations with a Colleague” sections, which bring expert voices to teachers and promote classroom collaboration. Melanie and Maggie explain how graphic organizers serve as thinking tools that support executive functioning and make writing more accessible. They also discuss the connection between gross motor development and fine motor writing skills, sharing strategies for learners of all ages. The episode offers practical tips on topics like cognitive flexibility and playful sentence combining.

ABOUT TODAY’S GUESTS

Maggie Beattie Roberts is a national literacy consultant, author, and highly sought-after professional learning facilitator. As co-author of DIY Literacy: Teaching Tools for Differentiation, Rigor, and Independence (2016; with Kate Roberts), Maggie continues to empower educators with tools that enhance student learning and independence. Her forthcoming book, Unboxing the Curriculum, helps educators and school leaders navigate prepackaged curriculum and tailor it to their students’ needs. Learn more about Maggie's work at http://kateandmaggie.com

Melanie Meehan opened The Writing Clinic, an in-person and online center for inspiring and nurturing competent, confident, and joyful young writers, after retiring from her public school position as an Elementary Curriculum Coordinator. Melanie’s published works include Every Child Can Write (2019), The Responsive Writing Teacher (2021), and Answers to Your Biggest Questions About Teaching Elementary Writing (2022), all published by Corwin Press.

GO DEEPER

• Landmark College in Putney, VT
• Purchase Foundational Skills for Writing: A Brain-Based Guide to Strengthen Executive Functions, Language, and Other Cornerstones for Writers.

Send us Fan Mail

Please subscribe to our podcast and leave us ratings/reviews on your favorite listening platform.

You may contact us directly if you want us to consult with your school district.

• Melanie Meehan: meehanmelanie@gmail.com
• Stacey Shubitz: stacey@staceyshubitz.com

Email us at contact@twowritingteachers.org for affiliate or sponsorship opportunities.

For more about teaching writing, head to the Two Writing Teachers blog.

This week’s TFT episode shifts the conversation about conferring from technique to equity. Even with solid conferring routines, some students, especially multilingual learners, students with IEPs, and quieter voices, can miss out on meaningful conferences. Learn how a quick equity scan of your conferring notes can help close these gaps. You’ll hear practical strategies to ensure every student benefits from your best teaching moves. Tune in to see how a few simple shifts can make your conferences more equitable and impactful for all writers.

Send us Fan Mail

Please subscribe to our podcast and leave us ratings/reviews on your favorite listening platform.

You may contact us directly if you want us to consult with your school district.

• Melanie Meehan: meehanmelanie@gmail.com
• Stacey Shubitz: stacey@staceyshubitz.com

Email us at contact@twowritingteachers.org for affiliate or sponsorship opportunities.

For more about teaching writing, head to the Two Writing Teachers blog.

Stacey and Melanie dive into the transformative power of the Slice of Life Story Challenge, a writing initiative that has connected educators since 2008. Stacey shares the origins of the challenge, emphasizing the importance of community and daily writing. The discussion highlights how participating in this challenge not only enhances writing skills but also deepens empathy and understanding among teachers, impacting their overall teaching practices. Melanie reflects on a recent meeting with fellow educators who revealed that the challenge has been a game-changer in their careers, enriching their approach across various content areas. Join them as they explore the profound insights gained from being authentic learners within a supportive writing community.

Go Deeper:

• Building on “Rallying a Community of Writers”: A February Support System by Ana Valentina Patton
• Embracing Imperfection as a Teacher-Writer: A Conversation With a Colleague - Stacey Shubitz and Ana Valentina Patton
• Mattering: The Secret to a Life of Deep Connection and Purpose by Jennifer Breheny Wallace
• On a Thought by Ona Gabriel
• One Writer at a Time: Fostering An Adult Writing Community by Jessica Carey
• Rallying a Community of Writers by Jessica Carey
• Writing: The Gift We Give Ourselves by Jessica Carey
• Essential FAQs for First-Time Slice of Life Story Challenge Participants

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Send us Fan Mail

Please subscribe to our podcast and leave us ratings/reviews on your favorite listening platform.

You may contact us directly if you want us to consult with your school district.

• Melanie Meehan: meehanmelanie@gmail.com
• Stacey Shubitz: stacey@staceyshubitz.com

Email us at contact@twowritingteachers.org for affiliate or sponsorship opportunities.

For more about teaching writing, head to the Two Writing Teachers blog.

While interval training shouldn't take the place of process writing, there are potential benefits to writing in short spurts. In this episode, Melanie shares some reasons to give interval writing a try, as well as some strategies to get you started.

Go Deeper:

• Interval Training With Writers

Send us Fan Mail

Please subscribe to our podcast and leave us ratings/reviews on your favorite listening platform.

You may contact us directly if you want us to consult with your school district.

• Melanie Meehan: meehanmelanie@gmail.com
• Stacey Shubitz: stacey@staceyshubitz.com

Email us at contact@twowritingteachers.org for affiliate or sponsorship opportunities.

For more about teaching writing, head to the Two Writing Teachers blog.

This episode features Ana Valentina Patton, an Instructional Coordinator at KLA Academy in Miami and a contributing writer for the Two Writing Teachers blog. Together, Stacey and Ana tackle the challenges teachers face during the mid-year slump, when energy dips and the pressure of test scores can overshadow the joy of writing. Ana shares practical ways to reclaim presence and authenticity as a teacher-writer, focusing on small shifts that make a big difference in the K-6 classroom. Drawing on her global teaching background, Ana offers strategies for connecting and making writing a more joyful, meaningful part of daily classroom life.

GO DEEPER:

• A Teacher's Guide to Mentor Texts, K-5 (The Classroom Essentials Series) by Carl Anderson
• Building on “Rallying a Community of Writers”: A February Support System by Ana Valentina Patton
• Morning message ideas from Responsive Classroom
• “Persistence and Pedagogy” by Amanda Potts
• Rallying a Community of Writers by Jessica Carey
• Sign up for the 19th Annual Slice of Life Story Challenge on Two Writing Teachers
• When Teachers Write: Three Shifts Toward Becoming a Present Writing Teacher by Ana Valentina Patton
• Writing Tools: 55 Essential Strategies for Every Writer by Roy Peter Clark

Ana Valentina Patton, the Instructional Coordinator at KLA Academy in Miami. With over 20 years of experience across the globe—taught in Venezuela, Egypt, and now the U.S.—Ana is an expert in literacy coaching and writing workshops. She’s passionate about the 'reciprocal power' of teaching and learning, and she’s here to help us cultivate stronger writing communities in our schools.

Instagram: @anavpatton

Blog: https://anavpatton.org

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Send us Fan Mail

Please subscribe to our podcast and leave us ratings/reviews on your favorite listening platform.

You may contact us directly if you want us to consult with your school district.

• Melanie Meehan: meehanmelanie@gmail.com
• Stacey Shubitz: stacey@staceyshubitz.com

Email us at contact@twowritingteachers.org for affiliate or sponsorship opportunities.

For more about teaching writing, head to the Two Writing Teachers blog.