Reviews

Parent Review
Harjit S. 

Working with Joanna G. has been such a wonderful experience for my son and for us. From the very beginning, she has been patient, supportive, creating a comfortable space for my son to share his thoughts and ideas openly. Joanna didn't just edit my son's personal statement--she took the time to  really get to know him and to understand his strengths, his passions, and the unique experiences that have shaped him. With her thoughtful guidance she has helped him organize  his ideas and craft a personal statement that truly captures who he is.  Joanna has an amazing way of drawing out the best in her students--she asks the right questions, gives gentle but insightful feedback, and always motivates with positivity. What could have been a stressful process has turned into a journey of self-discovery for my son. We are so grateful to the time, energy, and care Joanna has invested in helping him put together applications that reflect his authentic voice.

Student Review
Saskia E.

Not only has Joanna Goodman has been an invaluable mentor, helping me overcome  individual obstacles and planning for my post-graduate work.  Above all things, her devotion to her students as individuals is invaluable. She is extremely receptive and supportive.  I remember when one of my writing sessions left me frustrated at not  being able to clearly articulate myself. Someone else might have just told me not to worry and gone on with the rest of their day, but when I returned home I had an email from Joanna. The last line read: "I just wanted to let you know that you should be proud of  yourself  for digging down deep into the heart of what matters."

…It is rare to come across someone that talented who is also devoted to her students as individuals. She never hesitates to believe in her students, even when they cannot believe in themselves.

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Personal/Colleague Reference
William Kulik/ Adjunct Professor of English/Temple University
Contributing Editor,  American Poetry Review

I’m writing on behalf of my colleague Joanna Goodman, whose intelligence, language skills, imagination and ability to work collaboratively are in my experience simply unparalleled. 

I know her best as her collaborator on a literary project that brought into play all of her abilities—and more...as a clue to her character, one learns only very gradually—because she never boasts—the breadth of her experience as an editor as well as her literary talent and accomplishments.  She is also one of the very brightest, most talented people I’ve ever known. It gives me genuine pleasure to be able to recommend her as a coach for any type of writing. 

Grace Schulman
Distinguished Professor of English
Baruch College/CUNY

Teaching Review

 Joanna Goodman is a poet of extraordinary accomplishment. I've had the pleasure of reading her book, Trace of One, which succeeds far beyond a first collection in its technical mastery and accuracy of emotion. The book displays a range of knowledge both of the outer world and of the self.

As if her gift and her education were not enough, Joanna Goodman is a marvelous teacher. I know this at first hand. Before she won the Discovery-The Nation award, before I knew her, and quite by coincidence, I was assigned to observe her teaching. I had thought of the assignment as routine, having observed countless adjuncts for years on that enormous faculty. Not so with Joanna's class: She exhibited a rare combination of charm and knowledge, and the students responded to her with an energy I'd never seen.

In short, she is excellent.

Mercy College

Class Observation

"Each student was involved in the process (of writing), their enthusiasm a display of the love for learning and writing Ms. Goodman inspires in her students."