This ten-week college writing course shows the elements of backward design: I started with what needed to be learned, decided how it would be assessed, then developed the course with the end in mind.

While I have not taught this class as a 10-week unit, I have used many of these activities in the College Composition courses I do teach. These classes last a traditional school year (August/September to May/June) as they take place in a high school, but students are enrolled in the local community college and receive college credit.

Technically, I’m an adjunct of the college but employed by the public school system. It’s given me access to resources and training that has been invaluable. For example, the college enrolled me in the Program in Online Pedagogy in 2020, which allowed me to successfully plan, organize, and deliver engaging content in a virtual setting.