Meet Our Instructors: Abbie Tuschman

Name: Abbie Tuschman

Majors: Writing Seminars, Natural Sciences

Minor: Spanish for the Professions

What has teaching writing taught you about your own writing?

Leading a weekly Writing Club has shown me how to find the fun in writing again. When I was a fourth grader, I used to play make-believe with friends during recess and document our outlandish ideas in short stories. Any wacky thought could be encouraged, expanded upon, and made a fixture of our imaginary worlds. Though I have loved majoring in writing at Hopkins, the constant assessment of my creative work has made me more hesitant to write about the bizarre. I would rather stay in my comfortable, safe lane, writing about people and experiences I know. But in Writing Club, I see fourth graders’ enthusiasm for stories about slime-stealing monsters or talking chicken nuggets. They have reminded me how delightful the ridiculous can be.

What’s something you really like about the school where you teach?

I love the sense of community at Furman Templeton. It’s clear that the staff and faculty care about supporting not only the students but also us Writing Club instructors. No matter how hectic their days might be, there is always someone willing to lend a hand or a piece of advice if asked. When I started leading Writing Club, I was intimidated. You can study a lesson plan all you want, but you can never truly know how a writing prompt will be received or how a group activity will go. Yet, the warmth and helpfulness of the Furman Templeton community have made me more comfortable teaching each week. They are constants I can count on.

What are some things you love?

Puzzles, garlic knots, greeting cards, iced matcha lattes, romantic comedies, Envy apples, funny bumper stickers, HGTV, memoirs, cookie dough ice cream, podcasts, and spicy noodles.

What would a perfect afternoon look like for you?

A perfect afternoon might look like meeting up with friends on a sunny day to get lunch in Mount Vernon and then walk around the neighborhood. Or, on a rainy day, staying in, making coffee, and reading a whole book.