Coach Training

“When I read about this program, it sounded like a good fit but I had no idea it was going to be so well organized and effective. The training is very impressive.”—Dorien Ross, WCC coach

Welcome! You don’t need to be a teacher, writer or editor to be a great writing coach. Our WCC volunteers come from many walks of life—from college students to retirees. If you have an interest in education, you value good writing and clear thinking, and you want to foster success in public school students, then WCC coaching is for you. Parents and guardians will gain skills they can use at home to help their own children.

Before you begin to coach, we will prepare you to identify writers' strengths, to encourage their efforts, and to make specific, memorable suggestions for improvement. During coach training we share innovative methods for guiding young writers. We also encourage you in role-play exercises to help you develop consistent responses to students' needs.

Prior to coaching you will:

1. Complete a WCC training--two 3-hour workshops.
Trainings run from September to February. Register for a WCC training.

2. Observe experienced WCC coaches.
Before you begin coaching, you will observe an experienced WCC coach during a coaching session. You will observe your coach, then take over the coaching role, with continued mentoring by experienced coaches.

3. Berkeley coaches only: Complete the Berkeley School Volunteer (BSV) orientation.
The BSV orientation is 90 minutes and is required only for coaches volunteering in Berkeley schools. It is not required for Albany or Oakland coaches. View BSV orientation schedule.

Once trained, volunteers work about two hours a week (usually two or three weeks per month) in assigned classrooms throughout the academic year. In winter and fall, coaches are invited to participate in supportive coach “refresher” clinics for feedback, reflection, and review.

Volunteer Now!