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The latest from Anne:
What it felt like to face the man who sexually abused me in court
It felt strong. It felt brave. It felt powerful. It also felt sad. Unexpectedly, desolately sad. I’ve always said “When I have an emotion, I’m usually last to know.” That’s not really true of me anymore, but for years I was always reacting to Big Feelings but almost never knowing which feelings, or why. I’m sure the reasons are as mixed as any other complex human thing… autism, toughness, pride, and shame are a few… but “Coach Mike” Spiller was the biggest reason to be sure. When you’re a kid, adults are supposed to be trustworthy and take care of…
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About Anne Elrod Whitney
Anne Elrod Whitney, Ph.D. is a writer and educator working at the intersections of literacy, learning, emotions, and being a human. By day, she’s Professor of Education at Penn State University, working with current and future teachers; on her own time, she has also worked with adults and children in families, workshops, churches, camps, and retreats using writing as a tool for reflection, learning, connection, and contemplation. Anne’s publications include books and articles for teachers, educational research, and occasional op-eds. Her latest book, Inkwell, guides readers through writing practices that help us connect to our spiritual selves.
Threaded through all of her work is a conviction that writing and other literacies are strong tools for reflection, learning, self-understanding, and healing. After all, everything she knows about how to be a person has in some way emerged from a lifetime of reading and writing.
A native Texan and lover of hot weather, Anne inexplicably now lives in central Pennsylvania with her two children, two parakeets, and piles and piles of books. When not writing, she can be found learning the piano as an adult beginner, singing in local choirs or in the shower, overcommitting to projects that sound fun but are then overwhelming, or reading next to a body of water (whether it’s the ocean or the neighborhood pool).