The following is an op-ed from our Executive Director, Lynn Gerber, adapted from our most recent Fall 2025 newsletter. If you aren’t already subscribing, you can do so here to stay up on all things WCC.
As the fall season begins, there’s that unmistakable “start of school” energy in the air—students, teachers, and coaches all leaning into the spirit of new beginnings and optimism. And yet, alongside the excitement, I find myself wondering: what changes will the next decade—or even the next five years—bring to the way we teach our kids?
Schools, students, and WCC coaches alike are grappling with the rise of artificial intelligence and its impact on society.
Will teachers still be relevant? Will writing coaches still be relevant? Do students still need to learn to write?
I believe the answer is yes. AI is here to stay, and while it may bring some uncomfortable changes, I see its potential to benefit our communities in the long run, much as the industrial revolution once did. WriterCoach Connection will adapt—integrating AI where it makes sense—but the heart of what we do will remain vital.
Why? Because writing itself is more than generating text. Writing is a uniquely human process that builds skills students will carry for life. It strengthens critical thinking, sharpens decision-making, and cultivates the ability to analyze, reason, and solve problems. It also offers students a powerful outlet for reflection and self-expression, helping them process ideas and emotions. Most importantly, writing nurtures the growth of authentic voice—something no machine can replicate.
And then there’s the part of our program that no technology can touch: the mentorship and human connection between coach and student. That relationship—the encouragement, guidance, and belief in a student’s potential—is, as the MasterCard commercial says, “priceless.”
Here’s to another year of building skills, deepening connections, and empowering the next generation of communicators.
