It started with a question. Every year our daughter Grace poses the question “What is on your bingo card this year?” Instead of New Year’s resolutions, she encourages goals, fun experiences, and opportunities to learn and grow all wrapped up in a bingo card for that particular year. For me this was the year I put Accomplished IEW Instructor on my bingo card. I had the desire to further myself professionally as a teacher and a writer. As an accredited IEW instructor for several years, I was constantly asking my own writing students to level up. It was my turn. I wanted to grow as a writer and an instructor. Honestly, the process seemed daunting. At the first small break in my schedule, I decided to go for it.
As an IEW fan for many years, I loved that I could become trained and accredited by IEW as an instructor. Using their accreditation process, my skills were honed, and my abilities were confirmed by a Master IEW Instructor. This process helped me launch into teaching after my own homeschooling experience. Each instructor follows the same path through the IEW Units and stylistic techniques. This way maintains continuity. My own journey started with the first tier of accreditation: Trained IEW Instructor. Several years passed, and I achieved the tier of Experienced IEW Instructor. This year I wanted to strive even more to excel in writing instruction. Even as I get older, I hope I never stop wanting to improve my skills as a teacher. This was my time to act.
After filling out the application for Accomplished IEW Instructor, I had to complete two major tasks. I had to submit examples of grading with my own notes attached to exhibit what kind of feedback I was giving to students. Fortunately, I had plenty of examples to pull from. If you are contemplating becoming accredited in the future, start holding copies of student work with your comments throughout the new year. The other task of submitting a Unit 7 essay was not as seamless. I did not have this so readily available. While I considered myself a skilled writer, I found myself quite nervous about that task.
Revisiting my previous essay I submitted for my original accreditation took me back to the position of the student-writer. I struggled a little. This experience gave me a fresh perspective from a student’s position. I also had to study to make sure I was including the stylistic techniques as asked of me. I used the IEW Writing Toolbox app for examples and reference points. Challenging the status quo of my own skill, the advanced style took more thought from me. I pulled out my original Seminar Workbook from IEW. Was I perfect? No! This is where completing the Guided Review required during the accreditation process helped exponentially. I submitted my essay using a student portal IEW Gradebook account provided by the Accreditation Team. This took me through each component of the checklist. A Master IEW Instructor evaluated my submission and provided feedback with a list of changes. This feedback made the editing process clear. I loved that I could email the Accreditation Team directly with questions. The feedback was quick and concise. I looked at the comments and made the needed adjustments before resubmitting. After my second submission, I waited. Nervously my mind wondered if my skill was up to the task. Several weeks passed before I could shout, as if at a bingo night, “Accomplished!” The overwhelming sense of pride and true accomplishment was priceless. The fresh perspective I gained as a student helps me be a stronger teacher. Realizing that we all need to sharpen our skills, I am thankful I put becoming an Accomplished IEW Instructor on my bingo card. With the launch of the third edition of Teaching Writing: Structure and Style, maybe it is time for you to put IEW Accreditation on your card too.
by Kelley Hafner
