Leahy, Anna. Who Cares -- and How: The Value and Cost of Nurturing. Leahy, Anna, Ed. Power and Identity in the Creative Writing Classroom.

Leahy begins the chapter by agreeing with "writer-teachers like Robin Hemley and bell hooks wholeheartedly when they assert that pedagogy depends, in part, on nurturing" (13).Leahy quotes hooks, who said we must nurture and respect the souls of our students in order to provide an environment in which they can learn. However, we have to be careful to nurture, yet still provide an environment where they turn into better writers -- which means criticism.

"As Hemley rightly notes, praise makes students want to write more. However, focused criticism and guidance can make the student want to write better" (14). So there has to be enough praise that the writer does not become discouraged; however, all works should be treated as unfinished pieces, those that can get better through revision.

So the teacher must be willing to praise -- but to also be the authority, when necessary, and not "just" one of the workshop members.