Why teach?
I started teaching 4-year-olds when I was fresh out of college. Then I started teaching undergraduates when I was getting my MFA in writing. (There are interesting similarities between those two populations, FYI.)
I love teaching because I get to help students find confidence in their voice, in what they have to say and how they get to say it. No matter how shitty I feel, I always feel better when I get out of the classroom.
“Tira Palmquist: Asskicker, nametaker, writer with both pedigree and mad skills.”
Teaching Resume
Orange County High School of the Arts, September 2007 to present:
Playwriting, Advanced Playwriting, Core Creative Non-Fiction, World Theater, Pulitzer Prize Plays,
Zombie Lit, Vikings and Norse Mythology, Experimental Playwriting, Women in SciFi, etc.
In addition to teaching weekly classes in playwrighting to gifted high school students,
I have also been the faculty advisor for the yearly 10-minute Playwriting Festival
selecting scripts, producing the festival, etc.
University of California, Irvine, Course Director, Fall 2013 to 2015:
WR 39B: Argument and Research
Primary duties include the development of course curriculum, maintaining
staff websites and listservs, developing and maintaining online writing
environments, choosing course texts and mentoring graduate teachers.
University of California, Irvine, Course Director, Fall 2007 to Spring 2013:
WR 39C: Argument and Research
Primary duties include the development of course curriculum, maintaining
staff websites and listservs, developing and maintaining online writing
environments, choosing course texts and mentoring graduate teachers.
University of California, Irvine, Course Director, Fall 2012:
WR 39A: Introduction to Writing and Rhetoric (Instructor)
University of California, Irvine, Assistant Course Director, September 2004 to present:
WR39B: Critical Reading and Rhetoric
Primary duties included the mentoring of new graduate teaching assistants,
running weekly staff meetings, and assisting in curriculum development.
University of California, Irvine, Lecturer, September 2001 to present:
WR39A: Fundamentals of Composition
(The first of three required lower-division writing courses)
Introduced students to college writing in order to help them do well in college
courses that require writing and to prepare them for the more advanced writing courses.
WR39B: Critical Reading and Rhetoric
Introduced students to the kinds of academic writings expected across the
curriculum, focusing on analysis and argumentation.
WR39C: Argument and Research
Introduced students to research methods and argumentation strategies.
University of California, Irvine, Instructor, August 2003, June and July 2004:
UCI Writing Project – Writing Programs for school-aged children
Three-week session for grade school students, teaching creative and expository writing.
OSU Marion Summer Institute, Theatre Coordinator, July 1999, 2000:
A one-week, intensive program in theatre arts. We worked with young actors
on voice, movement, improvisation, cold reading, scene work, etc.
Coe College, Cedar Rapids, Iowa, Visiting Instructor, January 1999:
WTR-119( History Transformed: Women’s Lives on Stage )
A cross-curricular course in history, women’s studies and creative writing.
Students read play based on famous (or infamous) women, discussed the
implications of writing about historical figures, and studied the basics of
playwriting. In addition to a scholarly essay, each student began a short play.
Ohio State University at Marion: Visiting Instructor, Fall 1998-Winter 2000:
110C: English Composition
An intensive course in college-level essay writing. In addition to making
sure students master the kind of writing required for their other college courses,
this course required revisions for each paper, and instructed students in proper
research writing.
109.01 and 109.02: Basic Reading and Writing
Introduced students to academic reading and writing. Throughout the
class students work at improving communication skills (reading, writing,
speaking and listening) while honing their critical thinking skills.
Ohio Arts Council, Artists-in-Residency program, 1997-2000:
1998-98 residencies:
A five week residency in creative writing with the Bexley, Ohio school district
1997-98 residencies:
A three week residency in poetry for fourth graders inthe Russia, Ohio schools
A three week residency in creative writing with the Bexley, Ohio school district
Special Programs in the school (private contract), 1998 to 2001:
In the spring of 1998 and 1999, I created and directed a special program in creative writing and
performance for sixth graders at Cassingham School in Bexley, Ohio.
OSU Summer Institute, Instructor, July 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001:
A two week, intensive program for gifted high school students. I taught with a
team of creative writers, which included Terry Hermsen, Steve Guinan and Stuart
Lishan. I taught both poetry and playwriting.
University of California, Irvine, Teaching Assistant, 1986-1989:
The Art of Writing Poetry
A workshop class of upper-division undergraduates, and evaluation of original
work, written responses to readings and one critique of a book of poetry.
Fundamentals of Composition (WR39A and WR39A PASS)
The first in a series undergraduate writing courses designed to improve writing and
critical reading skills, beginning with personal essays and working toward academic
analysis. WR39A PASS was a section reserved for students who required additional help
Expository Writing
The second in the undergraduate writing series. The students wrote 4 to 5
analytical essays, using a variety of essay styles as models.