Who We Are
Welcome to the Reading and Writing Room (RAWR), where imagination meets the power of the pen in a journey of discovery, creativity, and growth for young writers.
At RAWR, we believe in the transformative power of storytelling and the importance of nurturing this skill from a young age. Our mission is to nurture the seeds of creativity and literacy.
In other words, we want to inspire, educate, and empower children and teens to explore their creative potential, express themselves, enjoy reading, and build confidence in their writing abilities.
Our Story
RAWR was born out of a passion for reading, writing, and a deep-seated belief in the importance of creative expression for children.
We believe we all have stories worth telling, thoughts and ideas worth sharing. Now, more than ever, it’s important for our children to be clear and confident about how they express all those things. And not to overthink it—as us adults are prone to do.
That’s why RAWR first focuses on asking what the children want to say instead of correcting them on how they say things.
We then help them develop their vocabulary, their creative style, and their skills to make their voices heard.
About the Founder
A former literary agent in the children's and young adult book publishing industry, Samantha Bagood is now a book and writing coach for grown-ups and kids alike. She’s also a homeschool mom and a language arts instructor at a local afterschool academy in Irvine.
She uses her decade of children’s book publishing industry experience and her degree in both creative writing and technical writing to help transform people’s relationship with writing.
To learn more about Samantha's work with adults, visit www.samanthabliterary.com
Our Values
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Diversity, Equity, & Inclusivity
Representation matters. RAWR is a community where everyone belongs. We celebrate diversity in thoughts, stories, and backgrounds, ensuring every student feels valued and heard. Our program is designed to be accessible and welcoming to all, recognizing the rich tapestry of experiences that each child brings to their writing.
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Creativity
We believe in fostering an environment where imagination knows no bounds. Creativity is at the heart of all we do, encouraging students to play wieh words…and to explore, invent, and express themselves in new and unique ways.
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Empowerment
Empowering young writers to find their voice and use it confidently is central to our mission. We strive to equip our students with the tools and confidence to express their thoughts, ideas, and stories, knowing they have something important to say.
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Growth
We view writing not just as a skill but as a journey of continuous learning and personal development. Our program encourages growth mindset, celebrating progress and perseverance as much as achievements, and recognizing that every mistake is a step towards improvement.
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Joy
The joy of writing, reading, and storytelling is infectious, and we aim to ignite this passion in every child. We believe that learning should be fun, and we infuse our classes with activities and exercises that make writing an adventure, not a chore.
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Collaboration
Writing is often seen as a solitary activity, but at Write Wild, we emphasize the power of collaboration. Sharing ideas, giving and receiving feedback, and working together on projects not only enhance learning but also build a supportive community of young writers.
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Respect
Mutual respect forms the cornerstone of our interactions within the RAWR community. We respect each student’s individuality, ideas, and pace of learning, fostering an atmosphere where everyone feels safe and supported to express themselves.