Contributors
Lucia Brea is an ENL and STEAM teacher at Jefferson Elementary School in New Rochelle, New York. Originally from the Dominican Republic, she currently resides in Stamford, Connecticut, with her husband, Ramfis, and their cat, Theo. Outside the classroom, Lucía enjoys traveling, cooking and gardening. Lucía wrote “Wash Days” after her “neighborhood map” exercise, remembering spending Sundays listening to bolero and washing her hair with her mom. A memory of unspoken love. Lucía was in the 2023-24 HVWP Leadership in the Teaching of Writing cohort. Olga Choedron is inspired to write by her studies of Russian poetry as well as her travels, yoga, and meditation practices. She enjoys teaching ENL in New Paltz CSD and loves connecting with family and friends, exploring nature and all aspects of life. Olga was in the 2024-25 HVWP Leadership in the Teaching of Writing cohort. Lauren Cope is a second grade special education teacher in New Paltz, NY. Lauren is a fellow in the 2025-26 Leadership in the Teaching of Writing institute. Matt Gill joined the HVWP in summer 2025 and is a middle school language and literature educator at Chadwick International School in Incheon, South Korea. Matt lives with his partner, Keisha, in an apartment in Songdo on the 10th floor, where they overlook a newly planted forest of trees, each tree doing its utmost to take root amongst the wanting soil that is landfill. Edward Louis Gold taught English, screenwriting and creative writing at Monticello High School for 17 years and is now an Adjunct Professor in English at Marist University. He joined the HVWP in 2020. Jennifer Howard is a retired elementary teacher who loves reading, creating writing workshops, and encouraging others. She was in the 2017-18 HVWP Leadership in the Teaching of Writing cohort. Zelig Kurland , who is currently a fellow in the 2025-2026 HVWP Leadership in the Teaching of Writing Invitational Institute, teaches English at a public high school in New York's Hudson Valley.
HVWP COMMONPLACE 42
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