When we read Donald Murray’s reflection on the writing conference, I thought, “Wow. Wouldn’t it be great to have the autonomy to teach that way?”
Turns out, yes, it would — in theory, and with a lot of practice.
My student conferences were largely successful. I channeled my inner psychotherapist, bit my tongue, and tried to be “The Listening Eye”. I enjoyed talking to my students, and was gratified to see how seriously they were taking the class. It was fascinating to see the myriad and personal approaches they had to reading, drafting, and writing. Some of them were very, very self-aware of their limitations and strengths, and all of them were able to articulate a plan to achieve the “grade goal” they set for themselves.
It was exhausting. I don’t know how by 1979 Murray had managed 30,000+ student conferences — and 35 on the day about which he wrote.