“On a scale of one to ten, with ten being you want to be an author when you grow up, and one being you’d rather slither into the New York City sewage system than write anything, where do you land?”
Ashleigh loves posing this question to students the first time they meet—and it’s a good example of the openness, curiosity, and humor she brings to every coaching session.
But why “coaching” and not “tutoring”? Ashleigh left classroom teaching in 2014 to finish writing her novel (The Crocodile Bride, a 2022 New York Times Editors’ Choice) and support herself by tutoring—but “tutor” never quite felt like the right job title.
With positive, tuned-in, humor-filled guidance—or coaching—student learning goes far beyond specific homework assignments or grammar rules alone. Instead, students:
Gain both skills and also confidence.
Feel supported, seen, and heard—and therefore safe to learn, grow, and tackle challenges.
Access and express their unique voice and creativity.
Writing has transformed Ashleigh’s path in life. And after two decades in education (from high school classrooms to universities to writing workshops and retreats), there’s now nothing she loves more than coaching students along their own far-reaching paths of meaningful self-expression.
Ashleigh with a longtime coaching student in Austin, Texas, in 2017. (Used with permission.)
Personality is probably the most important factor in deciding on the right person to work with your kid or teen. You can get a sense of Ashleigh’s vibe in this video—along with a tip for writing procrastinators of any age.
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Can Write Well Brooklyn brag just a bit?
WWB student achievements are insanely impressive—and a testament to the skill, confidence, and authenticity students acquire through coaching:
Finalist in The New York Times Summer Reading Contest.
Entry into competitive NYC high schools, including Hackley, Beacon, Avenues of the World, Spence, LREI, Poly Prep, St. Ann’s, Dwight Englewood, Columbia Prep, Fieldston, Trinity, Berkeley Carroll, Grace Church, Riverdale, & more.
Entry & scholarships into competitive colleges, including Stanford, Boston College, Sarah Lawrence, Babson College, Washington University in St. Louis, University of Texas at Austin, NYU, Parsons, Savannah College of Art & Design, & many more.
Publication & awards in Stone Soup, a children’s literary magazine.
Completion of 20,000-60,000 word fiction & poetry manuscripts.
Scholastic Art & Writing Contest awards.