Cynthia Fassbender

she/her

Primary Genres: I write poetry, short stories, essays, school-improvement plans, and the occasional input into grants or other types of YCHS-related writing in addition to the the daily writing living and teaching in 2022 requires.

My favorite type of writing has to be writing with another person. I enjoy the energy and ideas that come with co-writing. Finding the absolute best and most concisely accurate way to communicate in writing is more fun when I get to talk through the process with other people. Writing together allows me to learn about other people and creates an understanding between or among co-writers that is unique. There are always moments in the process that I get to illuminate the other writers' strengths and creativity while conversely, co-writers make me better.

What might you like people to know about you as a writer? What you like people to know about you as a person?

I love my job. I love my students. I love my family (dogs included). I know that everyone can learn every skill I teach. ELA is for everyone. But, it is hard work and I am tired. I hope change is coming in the way our country educates our children. I would like to be able to teach for 20 more years.

YpsiWrites' theme this year is "Write for Change." Given this theme, what type of change do you think your writing inspires and what are your reasons for doing this writing?

I believe that writing is still the best vehicle for change. Despite all other forms of media available, the written word still translates easiest into other languages (compared to other media), costs the least to create, and can deliver the most meaning while taking up the least amount of space. The written word is economical and accessible to many. One of my responsibilities as a teacher, it to make sure that my students gain access to the power that writing can yield. Reading powerful literature, analyzing and critiquing the "cannon" and textbooks, and developing their own voices. I believe in the power of poetry, in particular. "Poetry is not a luxury" (Audre Lorde).