Jeff Anderson

Jeff and his dog, Allison

For the past twenty years, Jeff has taught at large, urban Title I schools in Houston, Austin, and San Antonio. He recently left the classroom to write and consult with schools and school districts on a full-time basis.

Jeff grew up in Austin, where he learned to love writing "through journaling, a bit of positive reinforcement, and writing stories and dramas to entertain my friends on the phone." He wanted to become a teacher early on, but his parents tried to convince him otherwise. "They wanted me to have more money."

During an internship visit to a local elementary classroom, he made up his mind. "When I saw those curious eyes, kids raising their hands, asking questions, I lost all track of time and from that moment on, I was a teacher. I want to create environments that feel safe for learners at the elementary, middle, and university levels and during professional development for teachers. Working together we figure out things, surprise each other, find our strengths, and experience the joy it is to be a learner and teacher. We are students and teachers to each other."

Jeff's areas of specialty are writing; using mentor texts to teach writing, grammar, editing, and revising; and integrating reading and writing. "I love the ability to spark curiosity and creativity and to support students in finding their voices. That's pure joy."

When it comes to his own professional development, he wants to explore things that have meaning to him in the classroom. "I want to find out things I didn't know, be affirmed or reminded of what I do know, and be energized by thinking and action, reflection and application. Since that's what I want, that's what I give teachers. Something they can take, shape, and make their own. Something they can use right now."

Jeff's book, Mechanically Inclined, came to life from what he didn't know and what he needed to know. "I read, tried things out, played in my head and in my classroom, and read some more, permutating and refining. I thought about what worked and what didn't, as well as what sound pedagogical principles are used in other disciplines."

In his free time, Jeff loves to ride his bike, watch mystery/crime shows on TV, and read realistic fiction or memoirs. He lives near downtown San Antonio.

Listen to an audio interview (podcast) with Jeff

Read Jeff's award-winning article:
Zooming In and Out: Putting Grammar In Context Into Context
Copyright 2006 by the National Council of Teachers of English. Reprinted with permission.

Helping Writers Find Power
Copyright 2006 by ASCD. Reprinted with permission.