In Jean’s Space: The Life, Death, and Rebirth of an Academic Writing Group

Authors

Keywords:

scholarship, collegiality, support, loss, writing group

Abstract

Four faculty members across disciplines relay the story of an inspiring senior faculty mentor who organized an academic writing group for junior faculty members during the COVID-19 pandemic. This exceptional mentor, who facilitated the weekly academic writing group, provided a safe and supportive respite for junior faculty members navigating the tenure track during a difficult and frightening time in our history. The writing group, who bonded personally and professionally, provide not only our individual stories, but Jean’s story, as she experienced personal hardships throughout this time. We hoped that others may find solace and inspiration in Jean’s story and may experiment with a similar writing group.

Author Biographies

Jean Whitney, University of Southern Maine

Jean Whitney, PhD was Professor of Teacher Education, School of Education and Human Development, University of Southern Maine, Gorham, ME.

Melinda S. Butler, University of Southern Maine

Melinda S. Butler, EdD (she/her) is Associate Professor of Literacy Education, Department of Literacy, Language, and Culture, University of Southern Maine, Gorham, ME (melinda.butler@maine.edu).

Emily McRobbie, University of Southern Maine

Emily McRobbie, EdD is Instructor, School of Education and Human Development, University of Southern Maine, Gorham, ME (emily.mcrobbie@maine.edu).

Larissa Malone, University of North Carolina Wilmington

Larissa Malone, PhD (she/her) is Associate Professor, Department of Instructional Technology, Foundations & Secondary Education, University of North Carolina Wilmington, Wilmington, NC (malonel@uncw.edu).

Nicole Siffrinn, Pennsylvania State University

Nicole Siffrinn, PhD is Assistant Teaching Professor, Department of Applied Linguistics, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA (nzs5803@psu.edu).

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Published

2025-12-28

How to Cite

Whitney, J., Butler, M. S., McRobbie, E., Malone, L., & Siffrinn, N. (2025). In Jean’s Space: The Life, Death, and Rebirth of an Academic Writing Group. Reflections: Narratives of Professional Helping, 31(4), 61–70. Retrieved from https://reflectionsnarrativesofprofessionalhelping.org/index.php/Reflections/article/view/2134

Issue

Vol. 31 No. 4 (2025)

Section

Table of Contents

License

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