Abington Teacher Wins Bob Costas Grant for Work on Writing
Mar. 2010
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At the New England Regional Forum, Patricia Pflaumer, an English Language Arts teacher at Abington High School in Abington, Mass., was awarded one of six College Board Bob Costas Grants for the Teaching of Writing for using innovative methods to inspire her students to write.
Pflaumer received $3,000 to help expand her writing program. Winners were chosen from each of the College Board’s six regions and were recognized at the annual regional forums.
The award was created to support teachers and to thank Bob Costas, the Emmy Award–winning broadcaster and author, for his generous public service work on behalf of the National Commission on Writing.
“We are honored to recognize these exceptional teachers for their innovative practices and for the powerful impact they are having on the lives of young people,” said College Board President Gaston Caperton. “Writing is a difficult subject to teach, but a critical skill for success in college and the workplace. We applaud these teachers for going above and beyond the call of duty to demonstrate the value of strong writing skills.”
Pflaumer leads an effort called Students Write to Be Heard, or SW2BH. The goal she sets for her students is for them to have written work published during the school year, whether in a literary magazine, school newspaper or writing conference or contest.
“Whether students are gifted writers, those who struggle, or teens who have low self-esteem, I have found that when they have their work published, they feel validated and value writing more,” she wrote in her application.
Through Students Write to Be Heard, Pflaumer’s students learn about the query and editing process. They develop writing skills as well as confidence and pride in their talents.
Pflaumer plans to use the award to buy a digital camera for her students’ use, to pay for events such as open mic nights, and to cover entry and application fees for a variety of contests and conferences.
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