I believe that effective teachers share two key qualities: a thorough understanding of their subject matter and a sincere
desire for students to succeed. In composition, a skill-building class, knowledge of the subject matter goes beyond an understanding
of spelling, punctuation, grammar, and syntax; it also involves an appreciation for the different ways in which students come
to writing. A composition teacher must have experience with writing—most adults do—but she must also be attentive to the writing
process, and the multitude of ways in which students can approach a writing task. Helping students to succeed means aiding
them in the discovery of their own most effective writing practices.
