Captivated by Movies
Our community outreach programs have officially launched this month. We’re thrilled to be able to deliver engaging, meaningful writing workshops in person again to the many classrooms, schools, and nonprofits we partner with.
So while our instructors are out in the field, we’ve asked them what’s keeping them energized and inspired to teach.
What are they reading, watching, listening to, eating, and more?
October 2021:
What we’re reading …
Colleen Doogan: “My oldest is beginning the college application process, so I’ve been reading Frank Bruni’s Where You Go Is Not Who You’ll Be. Bruni gives a new perspective on the brutal and very flawed competition in college admissions. His chapters take you down a road that helps you understand and maintain perspective during the college search. Bruno also promotes greater respect for the real promise of higher education.” Colleen teaches writing workshops for 4th and 5th graders at Red Bank Middle School.
Watching …
Pamela Major: “I’m watching Shine On, Reese Witherspoon’s series of interviews with women—an invitation to learn about amazing women who have done and are doing amazing trailblazing work—on Netflix. Every episode is absolutely inspirational! I especially loved the one with Ava Duvernay. While I have heard her story in the past, I never tire of hearing it and seeing her passion for what she does. Her respect for herself, her continued efforts to bring the stories of people to light, and her ability to engage a diverse group of excellent professionals to make the vision come to pass inspires me.” Pamela teaches workshops with 12 graders at Asbury Park High School.
Listening to …
Krysta Elora: “I listen to a lot of elemental music, like wind-chimes and waterfalls on YouTube. Go to YouTube, type in Koshi Chimes or Singing Bowls, and they’ll all come up. It relaxes me and takes me away from the past and the future. It keeps me in the moment.” Krysta co-teaches both in-school and after-school writing workshops for 6th-8th graders at RBMS and is also an instructor for the Spoken Word Project at Asbury Park High School.
Eating …
Jennifer Gaites: “Some people get excited by apple picking season, but I look forward to fall because it’s Mallomar season. I love seeing the stacks of yellow boxes in the supermarket … they remind me of my grandmother who used to pick up a box for my kids every time she went food shopping. And, of course, I love the cookies, probably because they aren’t available year-round.” Jennifer provides college essay coaching and facilitates workshops with the Alliance for Success Program at Red Bank Regional High School.
Miscellaneous …
Lisa: It’s my favorite season—spooky season! And I’m obsessed with all things Halloween. I’ve already hung the spiders and bats, welcomed the ghosts back into our haunted house (well, apartment), and the radio is only playing Halloween music from here on in. I’m watching only Halloween movies for the rest of the month (my all-time favorite has always been Beetlejuice) and I spend my free evenings driving through the neighborhood, looking for the scariest houses. Where are my fellow ghoulfriends? Lisa teaches at Shore House, a clubhouse for adults living with mental illness, co-teaches at RBMS, and runs all of our PWN Teen outreach.
What are you obsessed with this month? We’d like to know! Email your response to wi@projectwritenow.org for a chance to appear in an upcoming column!
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