It's useful for me to reflect on my own writing practice, which hasn't been all that active over the past few years. Aside form the occasionally long Facebook status, I really don't write much.
Recently, however, I felt a need to write an extensive document regarding teacher expectations, equity, and accountability. I shared that document at about the third-draft stage with my husband. He had this to say:
"I have been impressed for years with your ability to express complex, painful realities in writing with compassion and integrity, and this...is a focused, brilliant example of your ongoing energy in this arena."
Obviously, my husband's ability to give me useful and meaningful feedback is based, in large part, on our deep understanding of each other, and our commitment to supporting one another. We have been together seventeen years, and in addition to knowing me well, he has had ample opportunities to engage with my writing.
Some of this I cannot recreated with my students, but some of it I can. I can honor who they are as I know them at this point in time. I can respect their intentions. I can begin all of my feedback with a positive assessment of their attempt to convey meaning through their writing.