Lauren’s school-based workshops are founded on the belief that all students are creative and have experiences and stories to share. The aim of the workshops is two-fold: to pave the way for students’ creative self-discovery and confidence-building and to help students lose the anxiety when it comes to setting ideas down on the page.
Through the course of a two-hour or half-day workshop, students will
- Create original writings
- Learn valuable literacy and editing skills
- Use the world around them as inspiration
- Turn life experiences into creative writing
- Engage in literacy-building activities
Workshops are tailor-made for each class to incorporate curriculum expectations and to ensure that everyone gets involved. Teachers can request specialized workshops or pick from a range of available workshops including:
- SUBWAY TRAINS, HOT DOGS, BIG NOISE!
Writing about the City - REWIND, REMIX, REPLAY
How to Edit Like a Pro - PAINTING EVERYDAY LIFE
Writing with Five Senses
An Ontario-Certified teacher involved in arts education since 2005, Lauren has led writing workshops in numerous Greater Toronto Area schools including Royal St. George’s College, East York Collegiate, Jarvis Collegiate, Barrie North Central High School, The Rosedale School, Paris District High School, Sir Robert Borden BTI, and University of Toronto Schools. She has also been a creative writing facilitator for organizations including Sistering, The Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Harbourfront Center, The Toronto Council of English Teachers, Neighbourhood Diaries, Luminato, Diaspora Dialogues, and The Parkdale Street Writers.
For more information about workshops, drop Lauren a line here.
"Lauren inspired my students by providing practical suggestions on how to use their raw experiences and observations and turn them into pointed narratives, conveying their emotional truths and epiphanies. She connected to my students with her honesty and humour.”
- David Reed, Teacher, Jarvis Collegiate, Toronto
“Thank you so much for your excellent presentation – the students certainly gained a lot from it.”
- Laura Letiec, Teacher, Chippewas of Rama First Nation
“Lauren's commitment to providing a safe and accessible space for women at Sistering to explore their creative writing talents has fostered magical awakenings in women, many who are telling their stories for the first time. Lauren's workshops have inspired and cultivated new found creativity and bravery. The creation of Roots To Branches is testament to the power of voice and story telling as part of recovery and definition of self.”
- Jane Kali, Director of Programs, Sistering