About the author

Dr. Martha Joseph Watts an educator with more than two decades experience of teaching at all levels, ranging from elementary to university both in the Caribbean on the United States mainland. Her diverse experiences in teaching make her a strong voice as a student advocate. Her passion for teaching students to read and write non-fiction was exhibited at a Kids Count conference in 2003 where she presented to parents on “Children as Non-Fiction Writers”.

When Dr. Watts observed the reluctance, and sometimes apprehension of students’ reaction to written tasks, she was motivated to develop the Writing to Respond Process as a non-threatening way to engage students in writing to respond to text. The positive reaction from her students, and fellow teachers who utilized the process within her school setting significantly impacted her continued advocacy for students in the area of reading and writing.

After four years of utilizing, and introducing the process to teachers in other districts, the results were positive. In 2013 Dr. Watts expanded the Writing to Respond process to include writing in response to test prompts, and after three years of usage with a diverse group of students, the results were eye-opening. Dr. Watts has published resources to facilitate the use of the process at schools and at home. See products

Dr. Martha Joseph Watts.

Presentations:

ASCD presenter 2015, 2016 USVI: Public, private and parochial schools: 2013 to 2018
Dominica- 2017 (130 educators 60 from schools and 5 districts)
Virgin Islands Writing Project: 2009-2013; Daytona Writing Project, Florida, 2014
Caribbean Studies Association 2011
Brevard County Authors for Authors 2019

Philanthropy

From 2017 to present, Dr. Watts continuously provides online support to school and parent educators who utilize the WTR process
In April of 2019, one barrel of over 200 pounds of used children’s books were shipped to Delices, Dominica to start a community library. She continues to collect used books though her church New Life Christian Fellowship, and other willing donors.
In 2018 with the help of donors, family, and friends Buddinwriters raised $5,000.USD to provide WTR resources to 12 elementary schools in Dominica.
In 2017, Dr. Watts and her colleague, Mrs. Nurseen Davis, made a voluntary trip to Dominica and presented professional development sessions to administrators and literacy coaches from 60 elementary schools over a three day period.
During that same trip Dr. Watts and her colleague were able to present over $6,000 USD worth of resources to the 120 educators. This was made possible with the help of family, friends and generous donors.

Donors are welcome to make contributions towards meeting the cost for providing resources to schools or for shipping used books to communities that need them.