TEACHING
Suzanne McConnell teaches writing and literature at Hunter College and is the Scholar/Facilitator for the Literature and Medicine program at the VA of New Jersey, and the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey. A veteran teacher and coach, she has taught at six universities, in an after school program for children, an Upward Bound program for teen-agers, at a spa, an arts facility, a hospital, and in private workshops.
PHILOSOPHY
I know, first of all, the craft of fiction writing can be taught. It is as magical as other kinds of learning, but not more so. I believe in teaching conscientiously, responsively, with compassion and honesty. In practice this means I give in-depth feedback (a written page on each story plus discussion) as honestly and sensitively as I can, and I direct students in a workshop to respond similarly towards others' work as well as their own.
WHAT STUDENTS SAY
- "Suzanne's a genius at getting the best out of all of us. Her classes are the reason I managed to finish a book."
- Anita Naughton, writer, Tea & Sympathy - "It's rare to find a gifted writer-teacher who cares intensely about the person and the work."- Noah Levin, painter/textile designer
- "McConnell knows both how to help fire up the artist and discipline the writer." - Jay Greenfield, lawyer
- "A workshop atmosphere that really works."
- Risa Denenberg, medical writer, practioner - "Suzanne's workshop is the most instructive I've ever attended." -Laren Stover, writer, Pluto, Animal Lover
