Ever wondered what it takes to be a Master Writing Instructor on our Maine Coast College Essay (MCCE) trip? I can tell you it takes much more than being an Appalachian Trail through-hiker and an excellent swing dancer (although our instructor does happen to meet those “requirements”). It takes years of experience as a published writer and an educator, and past experience working with college-hopeful students. Our Master Writing Instructor, Elise Wallace, checks all of those boxes and more!
Before she started helping our students achieve their college admissions goals, Elise started her own college career at Wake Forest University, graduating magna cum laude in 2011. After college, Elise engaged in a variety of pursuits. She not only gained extensive teaching experience, working as a Writing Instructor for students aged 13-17 with the nonprofit Authoring Action, but she also spent time through-hiking all 2,191 miles of the Appalachian Trail! It’s no wonder she’s the perfect fit for the blend of adventure and writing that the MCCE program offers.
After conquering the AT, Elise returned to the academic world, earning a Masters in Fine Arts in Creative Writing from the University of New Hampshire in 2023. During her time at UNH, Elise spent two years teaching introductory writing courses to undergraduates, developing her curriculum around three major essay assignments: critical analysis, researched persuasive, and personal essays. After UNH, Elise became a faculty member at the White Mountain School in New Hampshire, teaching English and advising juniors and seniors on their college prep course, including advising their college essays. In the fall of 2024, Elise took a job teaching at Vermont State University.
In addition to her experience as an educator, Elise has numerous published works. Her writing explores how the changing climate impacts our individual and collective emotional landscapes. Her work has been published in Flying South and the Sierra Nevada Review. Her recent essay “Pilgrimage” was a runner-up in the Waterman Fund essay contest, and was published in the Appalachian Mountain Club’s journal Appalachia.
Elise has been our Master Writing Instructor for the Maine Coast College Essay program since 2023. Her pedagogy centers on multiple drafts, revision and research. Elise spends her first couple of sessions with our groups working on topic development and writing exercises with the full group, focusing on the big-picture idea of a “successful” college essay. As the week continues, Elise incorporates one-on-one writing conferences in order to provide each individual student with tailored guidance on their personal essay. Her wealth of teaching experience, her writing prowess, and her love of adventure make her the ideal writing instructor for our MCCE students!