Jane and I met in Dallas during the early 90s at one of her workshops that touted a nine-week unit called “Teaching the Multi-Paragraph Essay.” I was a neophyte at teaching high school English and eager to absorb any and all tips concerning methods in which to become a better teacher. Her presentation style and writing methodology changed my career. Not only did I aspire to become a consultant like Jane, but also I came to realize that her writing method provided a solution to many a struggling writer . . . many a struggling writing teacher, including myself.
I applied her writing techniques at all grade levels and with all types of students: On-Level, Pre-AP, and AP. A lifelong student, I have attended many other dynamic writing workshops and even earned my first master’s degree in Classical Rhetoric. Jane's technique, however, has been the bedrock of my writing instruction to students, especially to those who had a predilection toward the left-brain learning style. In my mind, Jane’s method provided those linear, symbolic, and sequential learning typologies with a place to start, a place to embrace what we right-brain types did intuitively and holistically. In addition, I found that struggling writers felt a sense of security with the method. Whether students are in the midst of analyzing Donne in a timed setting, refuting a controversial issue, or simply addressing a state test prompt, Jane’s method makes sense to those who yearn for logic or a “place to start,” which, by the way, has always been her philosophy about her program. Jane’s “weaving” technique moves beyond the formula.
In 2007, I began Louis Educational Concepts ("LEC") as a company committed to providing teachers with effective and innovative professional development through mentoring, instructional technology, and incentive programs. Always a mentor to me, Jane and I discussed the my new path and asked me to become one of her five national presenters. That request was a huge honor, and I readily accepted.
On August 22, 2010, Jane died of cancer, a devastating blow to her family, friends, colleagues, and our profession.
Of course, Jane’s most treasured legacy is her and Dan’s daughter, Sarah, and Sarah’s children, Noah and Sam. Before her death, however, she talked with me about her professional legacy and the natural progression of my moving that legacy forward. I view myself as the steward of The Jane Schaffer Writing Program.
That is why I am honored and thrilled to share with you that the Jane Schaffer Writing Program™ and the Jane Schaffer Curriculum Guides™ have become a new and integral division of Louis Educational Concepts, LLC, dedicated to Jane's memory and her life's work.
Deborah E. Louis
President
Louis Educational Concepts, LLC
