About
Nicole De Coux-Manners is a Cum Laude graduate of California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in English, Creative Writing emphasis. She has spent much of her life immersed in words and has no plans to change. Sharing her enjoyment of the English language with young people is one of her greatest delights. Since 2014, she has taught writing and literature in local homeschool co-op settings, and has home educated her own two children for over a decade. She is an accredited instructor with the Institute for Excellence in Writing (IEW) and the owner of Manners Writing Services, which is an approved vendor for South Sutter, Inspire, Pacific Charter Institute (PCI), and Visions Charter Schools. More information can be found at www.mannerswriting.com.
It brings me great delight to guide young people toward the belief that they are writers! They see that their thoughts may be hard to put down on a page, but once they are there, the magic begins! When students begin to independently and naturally use the tools I've taught them, I am thrilled that the their "writing toolbox" has been strengthened and will serve them well as they progress in their education.
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Frequently asked questions
What is your typical process for working with a new student?
I often ask for a writing sample in order to assess the student's current writing abilities before I meet with him or her. Depending on the age of the student, this can range from a paragraph to an essay. Once I have determined a few areas to begin addressing, I meet with the student for an introductory session and Writing Survey to determine whether our partnership will be a good fit. From there, I design lessons that enhance the student's current aptitude while strengthening weaker areas.
What education and/or training do you have that relates to your work?
I attended Cal Poly, SLO and received my B.A. in English with a Creative Writing emphasis. My original goal was to earn my Single Subject Credential in California and become a secondary English teacher. However, that goal changed from English teacher to homeschooling mother once we started a family. I have home educated my children from the beginning, and have been the principal educator in their reading and writing skills. Additionally, in 2014 I became an accredited instructor with the Institute for Excellence in Writing (IEW), and have taught in multiple venues since then. I have since become an approved vendor for several area charter schools, and though I work primarily with home educated students, I have also worked with several students in the traditional school system.
Describe a recent event you are fond of.
I told one of my younger students that it was time for a test - he had to teach ME how to limit information from a source text, create an outline, and write a paragraph. He was so tickled that he was able to give me so many instructions, and I was pleasantly surprised at how detailed he was. He did a fine job remembering the process we had worked on all summer!