Birmingham teacher offers summer camp to help boost students’ writing and public speaking skills
Denise Miller is working to make a difference in the way students express themselves.
Through her Writing for Winners Academy Summer Camp, she focuses on creating stronger and more effective writers and speakers through grammar, writing, public speaking, budgeting and art classes.
“I didn’t want a camp where students just played and not do enriching activities,’’ said Miller, who teaches creative writing at Carver High School in Birmingham. “I wanted to offer a program that helped grow the student, improve their skills and prepare them for their next grade level. Writing well and speaking well are important, which is why I decided to focus two of these areas.’’
Students are required to write in a journal every day, which helps erase the fear of writing and strengthen the way they express themselves on paper. At the end of the program, they’ll each walk away with their own writings in a bound book. She will celebrate their achievements and published works during a Young Authors’ Tea on Aug. 2 at 5 p.m.
“At first, some of the children dreaded writing. But weeks into the program, they are more comfortable with it,’’ she said. “You should see the pride they have in looking at their work and saying, ‘I actually wrote this.’ It’s a powerful feeling.’’
The camp started in June and will end Aug. 2. There is a registration fee and camp fee, which covers cost to run the camp. But Miller said she’s also putting in her own money to make the camp happen.
“It’s hard but it’s necessary,’’ she said. “My son and I split the cost of buying sno cones for all of the students one day. Things come up and we cover it,’’ she said. “We just do what we have to do to help the students have a memorable summer. Right now, these kids come first. Their education comes first.’’
“When you are an effective speaker and an effective writer, you build confidence and security. If you can speak well and write well, you can do anything,’’ she said. “We call the participants in this camp, winners. It motivates them to reach their fullest potential.’’
The camp is held Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute. After camp childcare is provided from 2 to 5:30 p.m. Lunch and snacks are provided. Gardening, dress etiquette and more are also addressed in the camp. For more information, please contact Miller at 205-370-8803 or or send emails to writingwithwinnersacademy@gmail.com.
