A Lasting Influence

Communal Pen workshops are at the heart of what we do. Each workshop has a facilitator team and thoughtful prompts with the goal of creating community connection. Read more of our details below of this workshop.

Follow this link to register for the event

In this reflective writing workshop, facilitator Sandra Rouse invites participants to explore the lasting influence of the educators who shaped their lives. We spend a significant part of our formative years in school, and the teachers, coaches, and mentors we encounter often leave impressions that stay with us long after we’ve graduated. Some educators inspire and encourage; others challenge us in ways we only come to understand later.

Through guided reflection and personal storytelling, participants will consider questions such as: Who were the most memorable? Who was your favorite, or least favorite? Which educators pushed you the hardest, or offered support when it was most needed? This workshop provides a welcoming space to explore and give voice to those experiences. Writers of all levels are encouraged to join as we reflect on how educators have helped shape who we are today.

Guest Facilitator

Sandra Rouse is a higher education administrator with nearly 30 years of experience who recently completed her MFA in Creative Writing at Liberty University. A lifelong dreamer of stories, she is now actively pursuing her passion for writing alongside her career in academia.

Event Details

Date:
September 24, 2025 6:30 pm

Duration:
2 Hours

How:
Virtual

Location:
on Zoom

Follow this link to register for the event

Stories from this Collection

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  • I enjoyed this experience very much. I enjoyed meeting people and other writers and being able to hear their stories. This is a great opportunity to cold write and get something done off the cuff and, in many ways, has helped me reconnect to writing.

    Rob McManus

  • I appreciate the freedom of expression, the community, the sharing, and the encouragement the Communal Pen offers. It goes beyond just the individual writing or putting things down on paper… it allows you to be inventive and to see things in a different way.

    Janice Johnson

  • The facilitators really cared about what everyone had to say. They really cared, and I feel like that was unique. They give everyone space to share their stories from our community. The black culture is so strong in tying stories together and handing things down over the generations, and I am excited that this workshop seems to share that goal. Connecting to a community that wants to listen to stories and share them like that is powerful.

    Patricia

  • I love folklore, and sharing stories of people’s families. The family stories that may or may not have been embellished over the years… it made me think back on my family stories. Hearing the stories of other attendees made me realize that we have such a rich history of folklore and stories in South Carolina. Listening to the stories gave you a wonderful front porch feeling. It was immediately so comfortable and welcoming.

    Eden

  • No matter what the topic is, the Communal Pen makes you go deeper and share the stories that inspire you. I loved going a little deeper with the other writers, then going deeper into what people see and think. There are no barriers to stop us from expressing ourselves. I learned how to relax and tell my stories to the people in my community.

    Sandy

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