Theodora Johnson, Literacy Intervention Coach7624 Burnelle Drive, Little Rock, AR 72209

501.960.8614 501.562.4215lambdamu7@aol.com tpjohnson@ualr.edu

Trent M. Kays, Assistant Grad CoordinatorUALR Department of Rhetoric and Writing2801 South University AvenueLittle Rock, AR 72204

Dear Mr. Kays:

My goal is to enroll in and gain acceptance to the UALR Graduate School of Rhetoric and Writing to pursue my Master’s of Art Professional and Technical Writing. To pursue a degree in this field is a natural progression for me because I love to write; I have taught writing on both the high school and junior college levels. As a high school teacher, I have taught writing for regular and Pre-AP English as well as for Journalism I and advanced journalism levels of newspaper and yearbook. I have written for and have been published by a few magazines, I dabble in fiction writing, I have published a song, and I write poetry.

Despite my writing experience, I feel a need to upgrade my skills. I desire to excel at a Master’s level for professional and personal reasons. Last year I became a Literacy Intervention Coach which requires a Master’s degree, but that is not the only reason I wish to pursue a higher degree. I want a higher degree and more education in this particular field to be better able to challenge students become better writers. The main area of deficiency for 45 percent of secondary-level students is responding to writing prompts. With higher writing credentials, I feel that I will be better equipped to go into a teacher’s classroom and assist her with more effective methods to teach her students how to write.

I have to date taken 18 hours of post-baccalaureate classes at UALR since the fall 2008 semester, and they have all been helpful in reorienting me to school. All of them have been writing classes: Film As Literature, Creative Writing, Persuasive Writing, Fiction Writing, Theories of Rhetoric and Writing, and Editing for Publications; but it was the Persuasive Writing class that convinced me that Rhetoric and Writing is the field for me to pursue. The class challenged me in ways that made me realize that I need further study to polish my skills. Professor Harris pushed me and others in the class to see that improvement is always necessary and in order.

One other reason I want to pursue my Master’s in this field is to diversify my post-retirement options. After retiring from teaching at the high school level, I would like to return to teaching Freshman Composition classes, and having this degree will enable me to do that.

Thank you for taking the time to read over my intent for graduate admission. Please notify me of your decision in this matter.

Sincerely,

Theodora Johnson, Instructional Facilitator

Cc: Dr. Karen M. Kuralt

Theodora Johnson, Literacy Intervention Coach7624 Burnelle Drive, Little Rock, AR 72209

501.960.8614 501.562.4215lambdamu7@aol.com tpjohnson@ualr.edu