Spring Quarter 2024

Dear Writing Program Faculty and Staff,

The PDC wanted to take the time to thank you all for your dedication to our students and program. As a way to wrap up this intense year, we are celebrating our small joys. Thank you to all who participated in the end-of-the-year survey. We wish you all wonderful summers.

Lisa Schilz, PDC Chair

Steve Coulter

Dina El Dessouky

Contents

• Favorites Books, Podcasts, Movies, and TV Shows
• Summer Anticipations
• Accomplishments

Favorite Books, Podcasts, Movies, and TV Shows  

Elizabeth Abrams

Maggie O’Farrell, Hamnet. Also her book The Marriage Portrait.

Maggie Amis

Favorite book: April Daniels Dreadnought; Most amusing interesting podcast: KillJamesBond!

Dev K. Bose

Bridgerton, The Bear, and Yellowjackets were my favorite TV series this year.

Gail Brenner

Necessary Trouble: Growing up in Midcentury by Drew Gilpin Faust.

Steve Coulter

This is Happiness by Niall Williams.

Dina El Dessouky

Nnedi Okorafor’s Who Fears Death.

Joy Hagan

I ❤️ the Indigenous film and TV renaissance. Marvel’s Echo is completely phenomenal! Although Echo suffered under right-wing cancel culture and was unpopular with Marvel’s audience demographic, you should judge for yourself. Season 3 of Rez Dogs has a delightfully non-Western story structure. Although my favorite individual episodes are in the earlier seasons, the arc of season three is exceptional.

Daniel Joesten

The novel Desperation by Stephen King. My dad passed away earlier this year and he was a huge King fan. It has been ages since I had read any of his books. It was a great way to feel close to my dad and read a really cool story.

Robin King

Elsbeth

Madeline Lane-McKinley

I’ve devoured Karina Longworth’s Hollywood history podcast You Must Remember This — and am desperate for a new season!

Brij Lunine

Book: The Seven Moons of Maali Almeida, Shehan Karunatilaka; Film: Chimera.

Joseph Navarro

Language and Symbolic Power by Pierre Bourdieu.

Sara Nuila-Chae

I read Crying in H Mart this year (memoir). It was really moving, but super depressing.

Tina Osborne

So many…. good books about ADHD and anxiety to help my kids; historical fiction by Ken Follett; books for DEI; and books and movies about Alcatraz. 🙂

Sarah-Hope Parmeter

The Ghost Theatre; Three Fires; The Ice Harp; You Dreamed of Empires

Roxi Power

Fiction: Crossroads (Jonathan Franzen); Poetry: In a Few Minutes Before Later (Brenda Hillman); Criticism: A Long Essay on the Long Poem (Rachel Blau DuPlessis); Podcast: All the interviews at hivepoetry.org!

Kae Roybal

Either the Three Body Problem trilogy, though I think I actually finished it last year… and The Hundred Thousand Kingdoms by N.K. Jemisin (which I bought at Two Birds!).

Terry Terhaar

I read classic mysteries/detective stories in my spare time. Heywood Hill sends me a box (they select) every year and I’ve discovered some new gems! But I most enjoyed a piece of travel writing called The Salt Path. A “must read” for a walker like myself!

Amy Vidali

A few weeks ago I heard Michael McDonald interviewed on Fresh Air and fell in love with him (again?). I keep forgettin’ how awesome he is!

Tiffany Wong

The recent special three-part series on the Challenging Colonialism podcast by Martin Rizzo-Martinez and Daniel Stonebloom is phenomenal. Their podcast in general is excellent for anyone interested in indigenous Californian history: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/challenging-colonialism/id1612580017

Summer Anticipations 

Elizabeth Abrams

My tomato, plum, and apple harvests, and more veggies from the garden! More reading. Some college-related work.

Maggie Amis

Plums, glorious plums.

Dev K. Bose

Spending most of my energy on teaching and writing.

Gail Brenner

After a year apart, visiting son Josh in Pasadena & our engaging chats, walks, dining. Strolling stunning Huntington Gardens & LA Museums. Having time to write, think, garden, relax.

Steve Coulter

I will be teaching Writing 2 again in Ireland for 5 weeks in June and July. This year my wife Rachel Goodman will join me there to teach a podcasting course for Crown College. Then we are off to the Pacific Northwest for hiking and music campouts.

Dina El Dessouky

My kids finally meeting their other grandmother who is traveling from Europe.

Joy Hagan

No Zoom! (At least, very little Zoom. By contrast to the end of Spring, it might as well be none at all!) Catching up with some family I haven’t seen in over a decade.

Daniel Joesten

Spending time with my family! My wife started a new job in the fall as a special needs school nurse and this is the first time we have the summer off with our kids.

Robin King

Hanging out with friends and reading novels. Going to visit a college BFF in New Port Beach soon, before Summer Session begins. First I plan to stop by Two Birds to get a few books.

Madeline Lane-McKinley

Camping trips!

Brij Lunine

Some free time, seeing kids visiting from college, camping, remodeling our kitchen, warm weather.

Sara Nuila-Chae

I am looking to R&R!

Tina Osborne

Time to catch up on life.

Sarah-Hope Parmeter

Getting enough sleep

Roxi Power

Annual road trip through the long empty spaces of NE and WY to CO. Family trip to Hawaii. Working on two books.

Kae Roybal

Annual road trip through the long empty spaces of NE and WY to CO. Family trip to Hawaii. Working on two books.

Terry Terhaar

A vacation.

Amy Vidali

Not having to hear about middle school. And my van.

Tiffany Wong

Rest.

Accomplishments 

Elizabeth Abrams

Engaging in life outside of campus: planting a garden, renovating house, upholstering furniture. Watching my daughter transition to 4-year college. Serving as a trusted adult for beleaguered Hillel students.

Maggie Amis

Grew some riotous poppies on my sidewalk garden border.

Dev K. Bose

I have an article which was nominated to be in Parlor Press’s Best of Rhetoric and Composition. My kid is getting more comfortable in the water.

Gail Brenner

Getting myself and students through challenging spring term ’24; seeing my book on the shelves at Bookshop Santa Cruz; also following the growing success of son, Josh, reinventing himself in the LA music scene as promoter & band photographer.

Steve Coulter

I’m happy to be reducing my teaching and easing into retirement. I’m super excited about having more time to play music. I have a new duo project, myself on Celtic harp and an old friend on archguitar (something like a lute) recording a mix of Renaissance and Celtic music. And I love playing double bass in our Americana band, The Coast Ridge Ramblers.

Dina El Dessouky

Surviving! Volunteering a few times to coach Black Surf Santa Cruz! A successful Merit Review (Phew)! And watching my kid confidently deliver a speech at their promotion to middle school!

Joy Hagan

Despite a challenging couple of years, we made great progress restoring native habitat on the slope behind our home. It drains to a riparian area on Bear Creek upstream of the San Lorenzo River confluence. We’ve been rewarded with Pacific giant salamander sightings!

Daniel Joesten

Making it through the academic year and getting to know some truly incredible students along the way.

Robin King

Getting started on the WP DEI Coordinator position. Helping a friend get a teaching job for this ay so they could move from NYC to SC. Teaching a successful food politics course.

Madeline Lane-McKinley

My partner and I renovated our attic and now it’s my office. “Mad woman in the attic” jokes abound.

Brij Lunine

Developing Writing 2 curriculum. Keeping my sanity in hard times, helping students as best I can, winning a couple of bike races, helping my mom and kids (“sandwich” times).

Sara Nuila-Chae

Young Rhetoricians Conference is coming this June 20th.

Tina Osborne

Making it through the year!

Sarah-Hope Parmeter

Watching tomatoes grow.

Roxi Power

Publishing a poetry book, The Songs that Objects Would Sing; launch events at Bookshop Santa Cruz, San Francisco, Seattle, Kansas City, New Orleans, along with Neo-Benshi performances. Joined the Hive Poetry Collective and have been making podcasts (interviews with poets about their new books) and am on their Events Committee for local poetry readings at Bookshop Santa Cruz. New poetry book accepted for publication in 2024. Senior Continuing Appointment in the Writing Program (thank you, WP!). My daughter will be a senior next year! Always proud of her.

Kae Roybal

I led Reiki workshops at a local yoga studio, and also successfully completed a move to a new home in the middle of a very challenging term!

Terry Terhaar

I live in Bonny Doon, near the CZU burn scar. State Farm dropped all insurance policies in the area but I managed to get on the CA FAIR plan. It was not easy!

Amy Vidali

I saw my son through the first year of middle school. And I finished an article I had (somehow) been working on for eight years.

Tiffany Wong

Fellowship: Evidence for Equity, Faculty Fellowship Program, The Teaching and Learning Center, UCSC; Fellowship: UCSC’s Global Exchange (Global Classrooms/COIL: Collaborative Online International Learning); Conferences on College Composition and Communication (CCCCs), Grant for Contingent Faculty; Evidence for Equity, Faculty Fellowship Program Conference Grant, The Teaching and Learning Center, UCSC; Global Compassion Coalition: Compassion Corps, Cultivation Compassion Training (CCT) Grant; Presenter: “International Virtual Exchange: Equity and Inclusion for Educators and Students,” NAFSA: Association of International Educators Annual Conference, New Orleans, LA; Attendee: Conference on College Composition and Communication (CCCC) Annual Convention, “Writing Abundance: Celebrating 75 Years of Conversations about Rhetoric, Composition, Technical Communication, and Literacy,” Spokane, Washington; Proposal Reviewer: NAFSA: Association of International Educators, Annual Conference and Expo, New Orleans, LA; Proposal Reviewer: CCCC 2025 Annual Convention, “Computer Love,” Baltimore, MD

The PDC wanted to continue to spotlight some of our Writing Program faculty! We’re so glad to have you as part of the program! 

Madeline Lane-McKinley

How long have you been teaching in general? 

I started teaching as a TA in 2008, when I was a Literature grad student at UCSC.

When did you start teaching for the Writing Program?

Before I joined the WP faculty in 2016, I taught as a Graduate Student Instructor for a couple years — Heather taught me Writing 203! I really appreciate that she encouraged me to apply for a job after I got my PhD.

Have you taught at/do you teach for any other programs here at UCSC besides Writing? For any programs outside of UCSC? 

For a couple years I was a part of the Porter faculty as well.

What brought you to teaching (in general and/or here at UCSC)? 

I love reading, writing, and discussing ideas. Can’t think of a better thing to do with my life than teach! It never gets boring. 

What is your favorite spot here at UCSC? 

Chadwick Gardens 

What do you like to do outside of teaching?

I write. And I watch a lot of movies with my kid. And I’m a very slow long-distance runner.

Any fun facts about yourself?

When my book came out in 2022 it was included as one of the best books on comedy by Vulture Magazine. My book was listed between Kevin Nealon’s memoir and a book written by Steve Martin! Kind of a trip.

Do you have any human, fur, or plant babies? If so, tell us a little about them.

Besides my super rad kid who’s about to be a teenager (!!!!!) I’ve got a couple dogs (Stella and Mona) and a couple cats (Mega and Cosmo). And I’ve acquired way too many houseplants since the pandemic.

Do you have a website (of your art, writing, research, teaching, etc.) that you’d like to share? Or an announcement about any personal publications or presentations you’d like us to make?  If so, please include applicable information below.

I have a book coming out this year which I co-authored with my friend Max Fox called Fag/Hag (Rosa Press). Next year I have a book coming out with Haymarket Press called “Solidarity with Children: An Essay Against Adult Supremacy”.

Brij Lunine

How long have you been teaching in general? 

Over thirty years

When did you start teaching for the Writing Program?

Fall, 1998

Have you taught at/do you teach for any other programs here at UCSC besides Writing? For any programs outside of UCSC? 

American Studies, Environmental Studies, Literature, Stevenson, Cowell, Kresge & College Nine, UCSC Extension

What brought you to teaching (in general and/or here at UCSC)? 

I had a vague idea I wanted to teach when I was an undergraduate.  I worked at a junior high school before deciding to pursue a Ph.D. in American Studies. We came to UCSC for my wife to get her Ph.D. in literature.  Although Michelle grew up here we didn’t intend to stay.  Michelle ended up getting a CLIR postdoc at Berkeley, she then worked as a librarian for Stanford, Cañada Community College, and is now the head instructional librarian at Cabrillo (where she was a student). 

What is your favorite spot here at UCSC? 

Twin Gates–the crossroads where Chinquapin road crosses Empire Grade.

What do you like to do outside of teaching?

Read, bicycle, camp, hike, cook, spend time with my wife and children, work on our continual project of a house. Looking forward to traveling more! 

Any fun facts about yourself? 

Proud Berkeley High School (1986) & Evergreen State College alumnus (1990). I got to see a lot of musicians that I didn’t appreciate at the time but ended up becoming quite influential (Too Short, Digital Underground, Sleater-Kinney, Nirvana in the dorms, etc….Kathleen Hanna was in my core class).  Having moved around the country a lot as a kid I’ve always been interested in subcultures, their histories, and how they form and morph as a response to the dominant culture. 

Do you have any human, fur, or plant babies? If so, tell us a little about them.

Oscar, 22, lives in Happy Valley and works at Tomatero Farms in Watsonville; Neva, 20, is studying Spanish and Public Policy at UCLA; Burger the cat, 13+, Maine Coon, getting cranky but still full of personality.  Neva will be studying at the University of Barcelona Fall semester, 2024–we hope to visit her in December.

Is there anything else you want to share that would be fun to publish on The Rhetorical Situation?

When I started teaching here twenty-six years ago I thought a) it would only be for a couple of years and b) there was no way I could teach six or seven classes a year.  “Life is what happens when you’re busy making other plans.” 

Ellen Newberry

How long have you been teaching in general? 

Thirty years

When did you start teaching for the Writing Program?

Have you taught at/do you teach for any other programs here at UCSC besides Writing? For any programs outside of UCSC? 

What brought you to teaching (in general and/or here at UCSC)? 

What is your favorite spot here at UCSC? Or in the world?

What do you like to do outside of teaching?

Any fun facts about yourself?

Tina Osborne

How long have you been teaching in general?

24 years

When did you start teaching for the Writing Program?

I was hired about 2 weeks before the start of COVID.

Have you taught at/do you teach for any other programs here at UCSC besides Writing? For any programs outside of UCSC? 

I’ve been teaching English at Cabrillo since 2003 and I taught English as a Second Language at various adult schools from 1999 until 2011.  I also taught business English in Germany for a year.

What brought you to teaching (in general and/or here at UCSC)? 

I was a banana slug back in 1994 when I fell in love with UCSC. I realized I was meant to be a teacher while hiking the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu.

What is your favorite spot here at UCSC? In the world?

I love exploring and biking around in the woods behind campus.  My favorite spot in the world is swimming in a lake in a secret place called the “lost sister” to Tuolumne Meadows.

What do you like to do outside of teaching?

I’m usually with my kids – watching them play baseball or water polo or hiking, biking, and playing on the beach with them. When I get me-time, I like to do yoga, read, jog or swim.

Any fun facts about yourself?

My daughter and I are hoping to swim from Alcatraz to San Francisco on June 16 – come cheer us on!

Do you have any human, fur, or plant babies? If so, tell us a little about them.

I have two kiddos. My 10-year-old son, Denali, loves baseball and scaring me with crazy jumps on his bike or scooter.  My 12-year-old daughter, Skylar, plays water polo, loves hiking with me, and is glued to books on tape.

Sarah-Hope Parmeter

How long have you been teaching in general?

Since 1982

When did you start teaching for the Writing Program?

Fall 1985

Have you taught at/do you teach for any other programs here at UCSC besides Writing? For any programs outside of UCSC? 

Lots of things over the years: Central California Writing Project; PVUSD, SCCS, and various education and credentialing groups, including the Ed. Dept. at UCSC; COSMOS; Summer Bridge.

What brought you to teaching (in general and/or here at UCSC)? 

The joy of trying to figure out how someone’s brain works so I can explain a concept to them effectively. I stopped working on a Lit. degree and switched over to focusing on teaching college comp. One of the best choices I’ve ever made.

What is your favorite spot here at UCSC? In the world?

My office at Merrill; my (rather chaotic) home.

What do you like to do outside of teaching?

Read, commune with cats, cook and eat delicious food, post-carding for political campaigns, planting veggies in the spring, napping.

Any fun facts about yourself?

Favorite musical genres: Early Music and Metal.

Do you have any human, fur, or plant babies? If so, tell us a little about them.

Three cats: Darla, who rules the universe and compels us with the power of her mind; Charlie, who is very nervous and loud; Salty, who teaches me about joy every single day.

Is there anything else you want to share that would be fun to publish on The Rhetorical Situation?

Retirement plans: fostering kittens and making dark chocolate barks with savory/spicy ingredients.

Nirshan Perera

How long have you been teaching in general?

Since about 2005!

When did you start teaching for the Writing Program?

As a GSI in Fall 2011!

Have you taught at/do you teach for any other programs here at UCSC besides Writing? For any programs outside of UCSC? 

I have taught at Oakes Core since 2012 but I am switching over to just working for the WP starting next year.

What brought you to teaching (in general and/or here at UCSC)? 

I did my graduate degree in the Lit Ph.D. program here at UCSC and I applied to be a GSI towards the end. Brij was one of my mentor teachers in Writing 203 before I started teaching as a grad student instructor for the WP! After I graduated, I took a little break but I reapplied to the WP’s lecturer pool around 2017 and it’s been wonderful to be a part of this colleague community!

What is your favorite spot here at UCSC? 

I love running in the trails off the fire station–I sometimes get lost!

What do you like to do outside of teaching?

I run, spend time with my kids, and have been learning to surf for some time now.

Any fun facts about yourself? 

I used to be a journalist. I also teach high school English in town.

Do you have any human, fur, or plant babies? If so, tell us a little about them.

I have two teenagers. My daughter Zadie is going off to college next year! My daughter Zoe loves drama. Both are bookworms.

Do you have a website (of your art, writing, research, teaching, etc.) that you’d like to share? Or an announcement about any personal publications or presentations you’d like us to make?  If so, please include applicable information below. 

This is a piece I wrote recently about my high school teaching: https://muse.jhu.edu/article/862654/pdf

The PDC would like to extend a sincere thank you to all who helped make our 3rd-annual Writing Program Mini-Conference: Lightening Talks Edition a success–particularly our wonderful presenters:

• • Dev Bose
  • Steve Coulter
  • Dina El Dessouky
  • Lindsay Knisely
  • Phil Longo
  • Brij Lunine
  • Joseph Navarro
  • Tina Osborne (with Andrea Seeger)
  • Sarah-Hope Parmeter
  • Brenda Sanfilippo
  • Tiffany Wong

We know that preparing a talk takes time and effort during an already-busy season, and we are grateful for your contributions to our conference and our Writing Program community.

Copies of all shared materials are available in the WP Teaching and Program Archive under the Spring 2024 PDC Mini-Conference Folder.  If you would like a recording of the conference, email Lisa Schilz at lschilz@ucsc.edu.

The PDC wanted to continue to spotlight some of our Writing Program faculty! We’re so glad to have you as part of the program! 

Anthony Breakspear

How long have you been teaching in general? 

10 years

When did you start teaching for the Writing Program?

Fall 2015

What brought you to teaching (in general and/or here at UCSC)? 

A series of fortunate events: I had many supportive undergraduate mentors who showed me how a pedagogy of liberation could empower a marginalized person like myself to belong in the world. After graduating, I took that agency and went to law school, but quickly realized how much I missed a learning community of collaboration, so I dropped out/flunked out and went to grad school — where I started teaching.

What is your favorite spot here at UCSC? Or in the world? 

Chadwick Gardens at UC Santa Cruz; Mazunte, Mexico.

What do you like to do outside of teaching?   

Throwing clay and propagating plants.

Any fun facts about yourself?

I speak Korean and I’m learning Arabic (if anyone is looking for a language partner)

Do you have any human, fur, or plant babies? If so, tell us a little about them.

Sadly, we just said good-be to Winston, a pug fur baby who lived 15 wonderful years.

Roxi Power

How long have you been teaching in general? 

35 years

When did you start teaching for the Writing Program?

Spring, 1999

Have you taught at/do you teach for any other programs here at UCSC besides Writing? For any programs outside of UCSC? 

In the past: Crown College, Kresge college, Porter College, Literature, Creative Writing, Community Studies

What brought you to teaching (in general and/or here at UCSC)? 

I was brought to teaching, as many are, by the requirements of my graduate school at Cornell for funding.  Then I was brought to it, more like Denise Levertov says in her “Notes on Organic Form” that we are “brought to speech” when writing a poem, by more organic means. Compelled to write from inner provocations. I loved helping students feel the same way–that they were being brought, rather than forced, to write, through their own purposes for which they found pathways in corresponding genres, often trans-genres, they made up to suit these purposes. I’ve been teaching 35 years, and here at UC Santa Cruz, over 25 years. Yikes. I don’t feel that old!

What is your favorite spot here at UCSC? In the world?

It changes all the time.  I’m kind of a meadow-with-a-view person, having grown up with the vistas of Wyoming, so Porter meadow and that crazy view of the ocean from the top of the entry meadows: wow!  Now that my office is in the cool new Kresge building, I’m also loving the combination of contemporary architectural lines and the yellow pop of buildings against the soft green forest around Kresge.

What do you like to do outside of teaching?

I love spending whatever time my teenage daughter lets me spend with her before she zips off to college, writing poetry with my friends, listening to jazz, performing Neo-Benshi (live film narration), doing poetry podcasts, going on longish road trips on lonely roads through the Rocky Mountains to clear my mind, kayaking on Lake Tahoe. 

Any fun facts about yourself? 

Um, I hate horror movies. I’ve been trying to practice Mahayana Buddhism since the late 80s, not always perfectly, for sure.  I called myself Steve when I was 5 and really would wear lumberjack boots with the required dresses for holidays in elementary school.  Never owned a Barbie and still confused about the new movie fuss. Sorry (literally) everyone who loves the movie!

Do you have any human, fur, or plant babies? If so, tell us a little about them.

Emma Joy Power-Perkins is my 17 year old daughter who is the light of my life. Artistic, sensitive soul. On the other hand: our dogs, Shadow and Ollie. Barking, crazed maniacs as far as our neighbors are concerned, but we love them so!

Do you have any personal publications or presentations you’d like to share?   

My new book, The Songs That Objects Would Sing, available at Finishing Line Press, and you can find my (and all of our) podcasts and upcoming Bookshop Santa Cruz Hive Live! Events at https://hivepoetry.org/.

Here’s a clip from a Neo-Benshi on A Streetcar Named Desire at The New Orleans Poetry Festival last year (starts 41.32). 

Taylor Kirsch

How long have you been teaching in general?

I started teaching outdoor education with summer camps, field trip groups, recreation trips etc. when I was a teenager.  I also tutored as a teen.  My first classroom teaching experiences were in grad school at UCSC. 

When did you start teaching for the Writing Program?

Winter 2018

Have you taught at/do you teach for any other programs here at UCSC besides Writing? For any programs outside of UCSC? 

I’ve taught in the History department and at the UCSC Rec.

What brought you to teaching (in general and/or here at UCSC)? 

In general, I’ve always felt deep satisfaction helping other people learn.  It’s a great feeling to grow in knowledge and experience in so many areas of life. Facilitating that for others and learning new ways to do so effectively just never gets old.  Our program has been a really supportive place to do these things.

What is your favorite spot here at UCSC? In the world?

This is tough!  I have many favorites.  At UCSC I love the koi pond in the Pogonip, and the bridge leading from Hahn to the Mchenry library, especially on a misty morning.  In the world, maybe Three Rivers, CA.  My family has a special connection to the river there and it’s where I got married. 

What do you like to do outside of teaching?

I love to spend time outside especially near rivers and oceans, hang out with cats and dogs, read, drink tea + cook and eat with family and friends.

Any fun facts about yourself? 

I’m the oldest of six kids and we all grew up with musician parents.  I’m the only one in my family with essentially zero artistic ability. 

Do you have any human, fur, or plant babies? If so, tell us a little about them.

My house looks like a jungle because I can’t stop adopting plants.  No fur or human babies currently but I’m lucky that nearly all my friends have kids, dogs, and/or cats whom I love dearly.  

CONTENTS:

• Faculty Spotlight
• PDC Mini-Conference: Call for Presenters 

Faculty Spotlight

The PDC wanted to spotlight some of our Writing Program faculty! We’re so glad to have you as part of the program! 

Sandy Archimedes

When did you start teaching for the Writing Program?

Spring of 2004

Have you taught at/do you teach for any other programs here at UCSC besides Writing? For any programs outside of UCSC? 

I taught College Nine Core for many years, and I was the Writing Coordinator for College Nine between 2004-2018.

What brought you to teaching (in general and/or here at UCSC)? 

I went to some wonderfully eccentric alternative schools as a child and adored my teachers. I was so inspired by them and by the supportive environment that I set my sights on teaching and writing … and here I am today!

What is your favorite spot here at UCSC? Or in the world?

Being mostly a city girl, walking from my office at Crown through the woods to College Nine (pre-pandemic) was a soul-restoring experience, even during some blustery storms. Besides encountering turkeys, deer, and various other critters, I’ve slogged my way through rain, mud, and rushing rivers — much more energizing than merely walking on the sidewalk!

What do you like to do outside of teaching?

I’m generally interested in anything related to health and well-being, so much of my non-teaching time is spent reading, cooking, doing yoga & meditation, going on city walks (in San Francisco, where I live, but also when we travel), and mostly being with friends and my long-time partner.

Any fun facts about yourself?

I’m retiring in June!

Do you have any human, fur, or plant babies? If so, tell us a little about them.

I love animals, and usually have one or two kitties, but sadly, our most recent and beloved fur-baby (Christabel) passed away a few months ago after a long, happy life. She was very affectionate and wanted to be by my side constantly, even when I was trying to work at the computer. There will be other fur-babies in the future (maybe even a pup!), but I’m giving myself a little time before then. 

Mark Baker

How long have you been teaching in general? 

About 27 years

When did you start teaching for the Writing Program?

Fall, 1999

Have you taught at/do you teach for any other programs here at UCSC besides Writing? For any programs outside of UCSC? 

Yes: Oakes College, HSI (WORD), EOP (Bridge), LALS

What brought you to teaching (in general and/or here at UCSC)? 

This, I’m sure, is an evolving and changing list. But in short: I’ve always appreciated those moments when students gain a greater sense of themselves through their learning, when they see their own agency. I always enjoyed being a student, so this has been something that has consistently kept me on that pathway.

What is your favorite spot here at UCSC? In the world?

UCSC: the view from the lawn at Oakes! The world: Cadaques, Spain (at least for this moment!)

What do you like to do outside of teaching?

Read, listen to music, cook, outdoor activities, travel, look at architecture, see friends.

Any fun facts about yourself? 

I grew up listening to a lot of punk rock bands in the 80s and 90s, and still listen to many of those same bands today.

Do you have any human, fur, or plant babies? If so, tell us a little about them.

Yes: Zoe (an 18 year old Persian/Siamese cat)

Gail Brenner

How long have you been teaching in general?

38 years

When did you start teaching for the Writing Program?

Fall 2015

Have you taught at/do you teach for any other programs here at UCSC besides Writing? For any programs outside of UCSC? 

Yes, for the Department of Languages and Applied Linguistics. Outside UCSC, in the past: UC Extension ELI (English Lang. International); ELS (English Languages Services); INTRAX (Int’l. Training and Exchange); Santa Cruz Adult School – ESL Program; Santa Cruz High School – ESL; privately at companies:Silicon Systems, Borland, Seagate. 

What brought you to teaching (in general and/or here at UCSC)? 

I’ve always been curious, and from a young age, intrigued with linguistic & cultural diversity (once I found out such a thing existed.) I loved school, and a favorite childhood pastime was “playing school” –  giving little lessons, creating tiny textbooks & exams for my (doll & stuffed animal) students. But the root of what drew me to teaching was my discovery, at age 6, that thousands of languages exist in the world besides the one that I and everyone I knew spoke. This stunning revelation sparked a vast new level of inquiry in my young mind – and, fast-forward, ultimately led me to studies in Anthropology and Education with a focus in ESL. So, here I am today, still “playing school” – for real now – still intrigued and inspired by academic engagement, my (much livelier) students, and my fabulous colleagues. 

What is your favorite spot here at UCSC? In the world?

Honestly, I’d have to say that the UCSC campus is one of my favorite spots in Santa Cruz, along with any location in Santa Cruz where one can look across meadows, surrounded by redwoods, out to the stunning expanse of the Monterey Bay. In the world, I’d say Granada, Spain with its multi-ethnic, religious, linguistic and cultural history & influences — still very much evident.

What do you like to do outside of teaching?

I love to dance (ballet, folk, or any free-form movement to music); I enjoy various genres of music; love to read, sit in the morning sun with a cup of tea & a good book, especially poetry, which I write a little (with uneven success); and love long weekly phone chats with my son, Josh, who lives in Pasadena. 

Any fun facts about yourself? 

Hmm…ok: For some years I belonged to a Polynesian Dance Troupe; we performed at the welcome ceremony at Crissy Field in SF when the Hokule’a made its first voyage from Hawaii into San Francisco Bay in 1995.

Do you have any human, fur, or plant babies? If so, tell us a little about them.

The aforementioned lovely son, Josh Harris, and lots of unruly plant babies out in the yard.

Do you have any publications you’d like to share?  

Inglés for Dummies, 2nd ed. (2024); Webster’s New World American Idioms Handbook, (2003); Arco Master the TOEFL, (several editions); Master the TOEFL, CBT, both TOEFL books with co-author, Patricia Sullivan; a few random poems published here and there.

Susannah Carney

How long have you been teaching in general?

25 years

When did you start teaching for the Writing Program?

I taught Writing 1 as a GSI in 2003/2004. Then I was hired as a Lecturer Winter 2023.

Have you taught at/do you teach for any other programs here at UCSC besides Writing? For any programs outside of UCSC? 

I have taught for years at Hartnell and Cabrillo Community Colleges. I also have taught several semesters at CSUMB.

What brought you to teaching (in general and/or here at UCSC)? 

In general, I love language, think that everyone should understand what it can do and how to use it, and want to keep learning about it forever. Teaching allows me to do that in my work.

What is your favorite spot here at UCSC? In the world?

My favorite spot (that I have been to) in the world is Yosemite.

What do you like to do outside of teaching?

All the outside, open space things: being in/on/near the ocean, mountains, deserts, wildflowers. At home I garden, spend time horsing around with family, and watch period dramas by myself (nobody else wants to).

Any fun facts about yourself? 

I’ve never been a sports fan, but much to my own surprise, I am a Warriors fan. (Really it’s Steph Curry.)

Do you have any human, fur, or plant babies? If so, tell us a little about them.

We lost our beloved canine family member, Kuma in June last year. I am still grieving. I have 3 human children who are all grown up!

Call for Presenters! 

The 3rd-Annual Writing Program Mini-Conference:

Lightning Talks Edition

Friday, April 26, 2024, 10am – 1pm 

On Zoom, link to be disseminated

In Spring 2022, the PDC inaugurated our first annual Writing Program mini-conference. Over the last two years, WP faculty have shared “recycled” or upcoming writing-related talks or presentations. This has been a wonderful opportunity for our colleagues to share and learn from each other! 

We are looking forward to our third-annual Writing Program mini-conference this spring quarter! This year, we’ve decided to change it up a bit. More information below: 

Spring 2024: WP Mini-Conference Lightning Talk Edition

• All Writing Program Faculty are invited to give a 10-to-20-minute lightning talk (including time for questions) where you share some aspect of your teaching–an assignment, an activity, a pedagogical strategy, etc.–that you think other faculty members might like to try. 
• You’ll be invited to bring some sort of artifact (a copy of the assignment, directions, a handout, etc) to disseminate to attendees. 
• We envision this conference as a time to share all the great work we do in a very low-effort (but Biobib-able) free event. 

Sign up to present here! 

CONTENTS:

• Faculty Spotlight

• Teaching Circles

Faculty Spotlight

The PDC wanted to spotlight some of our newer Writing Program faculty! We’re so glad to have you as part of the program! 

Dev Kumar Bose 

When did you start teaching for the Writing Program?

Fall 2023

Have you taught at/do you teach for any other programs here at UCSC besides Writing? For any programs outside of UCSC? 

Currently I’m only teaching here for the UCSC WP (as well as serving on many interesting projects, such as the writing minor) after working in writing program administration at University of Arizona for 9 years. I have also taught professional/technical writing and communication at Iowa State University and Clemson University, as well as dedicated time to teaching first-year writing at community colleges across the country.

What do you like to do outside of teaching?

Outside of teaching, I enjoy hiking, reading, and cooking. I’m also working on a couple writing projects on disability and writing, including a soon-to-be published book by the National Council of Teachers of English.

Any fun facts about yourself? 

I am the proud owner of several instruments, including a 6-string bass, a 5-string bass, and a didgeridoo. I’m not as well practiced as I would like to be, however.

Do you have any human, fur, or plant babies? If so, tell us a little about them.

My son is currently in first grade and adjusting well to life in a new city. The beach certainly helps! While my dog recently passed away at the ripe age of 18, my partner and I recently began fostering a kitten. We don’t see any beach trips for her in the future, however!

Daniel Joesten

When did you start teaching for the Writing Program?

Fall 2018 as a GSI, Fall 2023 as a Lecturer

Have you taught at/do you teach for any other programs here at UCSC besides Writing? For any programs outside of UCSC? 

I have taught a world history summer course at UCSC in the past. Since Fall 2022 I have been teaching history at Monterey Peninsula College (World History, Western Civilizations, and U.S. History).

What do you like to do outside of teaching?

I enjoy listening to and creating music (piano, guitar, and bass). I also like to garden, though space is limited in my backyard. I recently resurrected a couple of sad looking crepe myrtle trees by adding some good old fashioned nutrients to the soil. I love playing video games when I have the time. The Legend of Zelda series is by far my favorite. I also like to jog on the wetland trails behind my house in Watsonville.

Any fun facts about yourself? 

I have been to six world capitals (London, Dublin, Belfast, Paris, Ottawa, and San Jose, Costa Rica) but never Washington D.C. I don’t know how fun that is, but I sort of think it’s interesting. 🙂

Do you have any human, fur, or plant babies? If so, tell us a little about them.

Yes! I have a son, Henry (11 years old), who loves to collect plushies and make gingerbread cookies no matter what time of year it is. I have a daughter, Emma (8 years old) who loves to sing rock music and went to her first rock concert at the age of 6. I also have two cats. Allie is the oldest and spends half the day outside in the backyard catching mice. Luigi is still a kitten(ish) and is more like a dog than any cat I have ever met. I have too many plant babies to count, though my favorite is my Japanese maple.

Alexandra M. McCourt

When did you start teaching for the Writing Program?

Fall 2023

Have you taught at/do you teach for any other programs here at UCSC besides Writing? For any programs outside of UCSC? 

I have taught at North Carolina State University and Durham Technical Community College.

What do you like to do outside of teaching?

I like to make my own wine and watch Grey’s Anatomy (sometimes at the same time).

Any fun facts about yourself? 

I can speak Portuguese, French, and Spanish.

Do you have any human, fur, or plant babies? If so, tell us a little about them.

I have a human baby ☺️. Her name is Eduarda, she is 11, and she LOVES candy and Billie Eilish. I have a dog named Dean Winchester and I have three avocado trees that are growing 🥰.

Don Miller

When did you start teaching for the Writing Program?

Fall 2023 (though I did teach WRIT 26 in Fall/Winter of 2016/7)

Have you taught at/do you teach for any other programs here at UCSC besides Writing? For any programs outside of UCSC? 

I also teach courses in Languages and Applied Linguistics (primarily courses toward our TESOL certificate).

What do you like to do outside of teaching?

Hiking/backpacking, trail running, cycling, gardening, photography…

Any fun facts about yourself? 

I’ve been tattooed in the traditional Samoan way–ink made from candle nut soot tapped into the skin with a boar’s tusk.

Do you have any human, fur, or plant babies? If so, tell us a little about them.

We’ve got two cats. 5-yr-old siblings named Huck and Meimei.

Daniel Pearce

When did you start teaching for the Writing Program?

Winter 2020 (eek!)

Have you taught at/do you teach for any other programs here at UCSC besides Writing? For any programs outside of UCSC? 

Kresge, and before that I taught at Columbia and San Quentin State Prison.

What do you like to do outside of teaching?

Write and play music!

Any fun facts about yourself? 

I play the drums 🙂

Do you have any human, fur, or plant babies? If so, tell us a little about them.

I have a dog Rudy, an adorable chihuahua–terrier–aussie mix—he often sits in my lap during Zooms and will pop his head up to say hi to my interlocutors.

Kate Ross

When did you start teaching for the Writing Program?

Spring 2022 (lecturer); I taught Winter & Spring 2019, and Winter 2020 as a GSI.

Have you taught at/do you teach for any other programs here at UCSC besides Writing? For any programs outside of UCSC? 

I also teach at Rachel Carson. 

What do you like to do outside of teaching?

Hiking/backpacking, cooking, reading, cards.

Teaching Circles

This fall, the PDC once again facilitated the opportunity for Writing Program Faculty to join a teaching circle. In teaching circles, faculty with similar teaching schedules and modalities are paired so that they can informally talk about teaching–successes, problems, strategies, assignments…. Faculty are encouraged, but not required, to take the opportunity to visit one another’s classrooms (or Canvas sites) in a non-evaluative, low-stakes visit. Past participants have spoken of the positive impact of these connections.

We encourage you all to join a teaching circle in the Winter or Spring Quarter. It’s a low stakes, low commitment way to feel connected and get support in this challenging time of teaching. 

Plus, teaching circles are something to add to your Biobib. We’ll send you a certificate when you’ve completed one. 

Look for an email in the Winter to sign-up for a teaching circle!