November 2009, grade 4-7
advanced learners (sponsored by
MindStein)
"Life-changing! I learned more today than I
have ever learned..."
"...broadened my writing knowledge."
"...the writing skills offered were very exciting compared to skills
taught in school."
"...sparked my creativity and...skills."
"Fantastic!"
"Wish it was longer."
October 2009, grade 6-8
students from SD43 (Coquitlam, BC)
"A very intense workshop that sparked my
creative side."
"...learned how to be creative, imaginative, and free with my ideas."
"...will make me a better writer."
"...many writing tricks I had never heard of before."
"[Julie] was very encouraging and gave helpful advice. It's more
important to hear this from a professional writer."
October 2009, TALONS students, SD43 (Coquitlam, BC). A special version
for talented grade 9-10 students.
"Very clear, engaging, interesting."
"PLEASE come back!!"
"...pushed my limits."
"Amazing personality, straight-forward, captivating."
"...very inspirational."
"[Julie] is clearly an adept teacher..."
September 2009, teacher at
Myrtle Philip Community School, Whistler, BC
"I had the tremendous
pleasure of hearing you speak at Terry Fox school in August many years
ago and I still use the excellent resources and the invaluable
information that I received from you there. Your book
Writing With Power!! is still my favourite
writing resource book. ...from one of your biggest fans!"
February 2009, North
Vancouver Teachers' Association conference, Balance
"Great energy, enthusiasm, and
knowledge. Very 'real.'"
"Do a full day next time...!"
"Its power was in having to do the actual [writing]exercises."
"...succinct and concrete."
"Very positive, refreshing, and supportive."
October
2008, Quirien Mulder ten Kate, coordinator of the TALONS program
- The Academy of
Learning for Outstanding and Notable Students -
in SD 43
(Coquitlam)
Thanks,
Julie, for inspiring these young writers today. Your workshop flowed so
well and lots of time to write. See you again next year!
(This session, Rev-up Your Written Word, was
specially designed for the grade 9 and 10 TALONS .)
Some student reactions:
[Julie] is a very strong leader and her workshop left an
impact.
...opened me up to ideas I had never been exposed to before.
...really entertaining and interesting. [Julie] makes writing
fun.
...very interactive. Inspired me.
...gave me processes to build on. The leader did an amazing
job...
...nice balance of listening, generating ideas, and actual
writing.
...captured and involved me.
November 2007, grade 5-8 students from SD 43
(Coquitlam, BC)
"I loved how [Julie] interacted with us."
"...the leader was kind, supportive, and serious about her work. ...she gave
us positive feedback."
"...helped me get my imagination flowing."
"...a lot of fun to learn the [professional writing] techniques..."
"[Julie] made hard things seem easy. ...AWESOME! I loved it."
"Thank YOU for
a wonderful day. You would be very proud of the students from my school
who attended your morning session. They coached the rest of our
Challenge [gifted] group to create a [power word] triplet and then do a 5 minute
warm-up write. It was pretty cool to see the writing energy in our
small space!" Louise
Malfesi, Gifted Education Coordinator, SD 43.
August 2007, Okanagan-Skaha
Teachers' Union conference, Links to Learning
"I took away many useful ideas and tools to implement...."
"Good ideas to make writing more meaningful and powerful."
"I found the techniques probably the most useful I've seen!"
March 2007, Lee Thomas, a teacher in
Florida
"I am...a Power Writing fan! I have two of your books--use the
concepts ALL the time. In light of your studies, you may find the
following observations interesting. The children I teach are all home
schooled. ...It is interesting that the boys who have been "read-aloud
to" past the age when they can read fine by themselves (around 10)--have
excellent vocabulary skills, and freely express themselves. These
families don't watch a lot of TV.... The boys don't want to sit down and
write, but their heads are full of stories of valor, honor, and heroism.
I don't require my students to physically handwrite their own
assignments--unless they want to (most girls want to) The younger boys
(8-13) are extremely creative and use power words with very little
prompting if they are allowed to dictate their work. The high school
boys seem to thrive with prompts that require a persuasive writing
approach."
February 2007, North Vancouver
Teachers' Assn (SD 44) conference, Celebrating Empowerment
"Invigorating!"
"Very good leader."
"Great presentation - well thought out and interactive."
February 2007, Comox
District Teachers' Assn (SD 71, Comox, BC) conference.
"Very knowledgeable - I feel empowered!"
"...a wonderful workshop, immediately translatable to the classroom. I
will use all of this."
"...presented with passion!"
November 2006, teachers of Maple Green
Elementary (SD 36, Surrey, BC)
"Thought-provoking and timely connections from brain to pen and
the path between."
"Great tips and information specifically for boys..."
"Spoken from the heart and passionately."
"Super handouts."
October 2006, grade 5-12 teachers of
the Catholic Independent Schools Vancouver Archdiocese
'I enjoyed...the ways to tap into the writer within all
our students."
"The modelling gave me empathy and insight into my students'
experiences."
"...an eye-opening workshop based on teachable strategies and
brain-based research."
"An excellent presenter with a good mix of hard facts, useful classroom
strategies, and personal anecdotes."
October 2006, elementary teacher, SD
36 (Surrey, BC)
"I started off my year with
the 'power' word approach with my grade 2/3 class... They wrote some'
powerful' pieces about 'Friendship.' They were in command of their
thoughts and feelings and their writing was succinct and conveyed deep
thinking that I have not read from this age group before. They wrote
with confidence. The idea of three words, [which] evoked an image of
their friendship, gave them a strong and safe place to start.
August 2006, the Central
Okanagan Teachers' Association Summer Institute
"Thanks for trusting our
professionalism and giving us the ideas, yet saying, 'Now you know how
to apply it in the classroom."
"...well articulated"
August 2006, The Literacy
Continuum conference
"The results with students are always so impressive. Thanks for
modeling such an empowering approach."
"Julie was simply delightful! Her
delivery of the material kept me hooked and wanting more. I am inspired
to revamp my writing program...."
"One of the best [presentations] I've attended in a while. I have many ideas
to implement now."
"Excellent presenter - very prepared, great modeling. Would go back to
her again."
April 2006, Craig Smith, teacher, SD
48 (Whistler, BC)
"...it is some of the best
writing "stuff" I have found."
February 2006, Coquitlam Teachers'
Assn conference
"Enlightening! Eye-opening! Enthusiastic!
"Nice to learn something new from professionals who bring something
new into teaching."
"...the power triplets is a fantastic way to get [students] going
and excited..."
"I appreciated that the session was presented by a published
[writer]."
March 2005, Abby
Middle School, Abbotsford
"...she pumped new energy into writing."
"Words are hard to find to say thank you...your approach is
innovative, exciting and inspiring. Students [are] in awe of what they
can [write] after your workshop and a few have said, 'All students
should do this!'"
"I can't wait to start! I have tomorrow's lesson ready. I can
see how to motivate my 'guarded' writers."
Grade 6 and 7 teachers.
"I might...be a
writer!"
"It was hard, but good." "She helped me write a good story."
"I felt joy that I could write [well] because I always thought
I was
bad at writing."
"Really, really cool!"
All boys grade 7 class
November 2004 -
Elementary and middle school teachers of
Tl'etinqox and Alexis Creek Schools, BC.
"I loved the visual work in the classroom
[with the students]."
"Very practical and easily transferable to the classroom."
"...very informative and insightful."

April 2004 - Middle Years Association
of BC
Convention, Penticton, BC
"The first thing I did
when I got back to the classroom was agree to scribe for the student I
work with. Instead of the usual one or two sentences, we filled an
extra long sheet of paper... single spaced. I could barely keep up with
his words once he got going....A rewarding day all around...thank you
very much."
February 2004,
SD 43 elementary and middle teachers
"I have
never [attended] a Pro-D presentation
that was so well worth the money.”
July 2008
I have
taken your Writing with
Power!!
course and you continue to be an inspiration to me. I will definitely be
purchasing a copy of the [second edition of]
Book Magic…thank
you for the advance notice of your new release!
Lorna Hall
March 2006
"Very reassuring approach. A sense of 'authority' about
the writing process and various techniques. A fine, balanced approach
for the beginner and the more experienced writer alike."
Barry
Hill
"...upbeat and factual."
"...the
first paragraph bully has been reduced to a well behaved assistant. I
gained a great deal...from the class, but for me, this has been a
special gift."
Loreen
Hutchison
"...incredibly useful tools, tips, and techniques - particularly
inspiration."
P. MacQuarrie
Students of Surrey's Creative Writing Diploma program.gif)
January
2005
"Very good clear communicator."
"Ms. Ferguson was enthusiastic and stimulating"
"I very much
enjoyed her style."
Students of
Vancouver Community College
April
2004
"Quick tactics to facilitate creativity."
"I was impressed with [the instructor's] teaching style, expertise
and willingness to share her experience."
"It works!!"
Students of Surrey's
Creative Writing Diploma Program
November 2003
"Julie is an exceptional instructor... and an absolute pleasure
to learn from."
"...very organized, motivational and encouraging."
"Material is excellent."
"I am so impressed with what I learned..."
"Julie's love for the written word and her
enthusiasm for teaching impressed me most."
Students of Surrey's
Creative Writing Diploma Program
October 2002
"Fast-paced and uplifting!"
"Calm, friendly, non-judgmental, and positive."
"...applicable right away."
Students of Surrey's
Creative Writing Diploma Program
October
2000:
"Excellent! What impressed me most was
Julie's organization, clarity, and faith in our ability
as writers."
"Fast paced, a non-threatening atmosphere, and a
professional leader."
Students of Surrey's
Creative Writing Diploma Program