John has been privileged to work with thousands of students over the past 15 years – in workshops, classes, family workshops, and one-on-one tutoring. Below are some of the testimonials John has received from former students and their parents.
For student comments on the SAT essay prep workshop, click here!
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Ryan Payne, GPC
I was one of your writing students in high school around 2004-2006. I wanted to thank you for giving me a strong writing foundation. When I began an interest in journalism, you encouraged me by giving me challenging assignments and nurturing my curiosity. That curiosity has continued to grow. I remember the first technical writing assignment you gave our class: teach someone how to make a peanut butter and jelly sandwich. Who knew that that small assignment would lead to such big things? I’m now a software developer and the lead technical writer at Ramsey Solutions (financial expert Dave Ramsey’s company). I regularly blog about software development. And I’m a part-time songwriter. My life revolves around the written word. Thank you for investing in me. I would not be where I am today without you.
Olivia, STARS
Thank you so much for teaching this wonderful class. I have increased my writing ability greatly, and have learned so much this past year. Looking forward to taking American Lit in the fall.
Eli, STARS
I wanted to let you know that I will be part of the Grove City College class of 2022. I received a partial scholarship and I am excited to see what lies ahead. Thank you for your help with the application and for helping me develop my writing skills over the course of your class.
Mira, Skype student
Taking the Effective Writing class through Skype was so convenient – a unanimous opinion of my mom and me, I have really enjoyed our class and would like to thank you for your excellent tutoring as my writing skill has flourished. Enjoy a good summer!
The Notheis family’s story
- Mom: “There are at least four good reasons why you might well consider partnering with John Jenkins in your quest to provide strong writing skills for your homeschooled children…” (more)
- Caleb: “Mr. Jenkins classes have taught me so much and have shown me that writing is not as difficult as it seems. He has a unique approach…” (more)
- Naomi: “I learned how to properly organize my thoughts on paper, what college professors expect of their students, and how to compose a well structured essay on a variety of topics. I never once was bored in his class…” (more)
- Victoria: “I did NOT particularly enjoy writing essays when I started the class, but when I left, writing essays didn’t feel like it had to be a huge stressful deal anymore. The way Mr. Jenkins teaches makes you feel at ease…” (more)
Felix
I have been lucky enough to receive a great opportunity at Georgetown University. I have been given a fall 2013 tryout to try and make their D1 roster and play baseball there, something that has really been a dream for me. As it has been quite some time since I took the American Lit class with you, I want you to know that every class/assignment I take, I use techniques I learned from you. I really appreciate all you taught me.
Abby
I have been in two of Mr. J’s classes, Intro to Literature and Master Storyteller, and I love them! He is a great teacher and writer with a unique and effective way of grading. He is encouraging in his critiques, yet gives them honestly and straight-forward. My writing – papers, short stories, and novels – has improved since taking his classes. Thank you, Mr. J!
Andrew
I have learned a lot of different new techniques and styles of fiction writing in Mr. J’s class that I wouldn’t have done otherwise. He also makes his classes fun so that you do not feel the over-bearing power of homework.
George
During my first two years of high school I’ve taken three of your classes. Without a doubt, your classes have always been my favorite and you my favorite teacher. I really like your teaching methods and grading structure. Your approach to education is innovative and refreshing and I also enjoy your sense of humor. It makes class a fun experience. I’d like to personally thank you for all the opportunities to learn that you have provided.
From Kevin’s Mom
I want to thank you for the great job you did with the EW class. I see a huge improvement in Kevin’s writing skills. He seems to be way more thoughtful and confident in everything he writes and I know it stems from your teaching and influence.
Jerad
Before I took your class, I really had a hard time with writing assignments and never really enjoyed writing very much. Your class gave me a different view of writing and a much more effective approach to it. Your 23-point list and the supermap approach will be a huge help in the future. Thank you for the class!
Parent of Matthew and Rebecca
We so appreciate all you have taught us this year. See you in the fall!
Caleb
Thanks for teaching us some great techniques that will be useful for the rest of our lives. Have a good summer.
Parent of Tyler
Tyler really enjoyed your class and looked forward to it each week. He always came home with an amusing tale of the day’s discussions. I suspect you will remain one of Tyler’s favorite teachers well into the future. Thanks for making a positive and meaningful impact on Tyler’s life.
Parent of Samantha
I want to thank you for this year. I have never seen my child love school so much. You have lit a fire in her heart for writing that I am certain will burn for years to come.
Sarah
“Okay this is random and a bit late, but I just wanted to say thank you for being such an awesome teacher! I learned so much and your classes were always the best. I remember Emily coming home and telling me about your classes and I was like, “I wish I could have him as a teacher.” And finally I did – lucky me! I’m really gonna miss having you as my teacher next year! So thanks for being awesome!
Parent of Susanna
John, thank you for a fabulous training session in writing today for my daughter. She had become so discouraged in her efforts to write, and your class gave her just what she needed to resume writing with enthusiasm. As we were leaving, Susanna said: “His passion is contagious. Because he cares so much about the subject and the student, it made me excited about writing again!”
Parent of Gerald
Gerald thoroughly enjoyed your class and learned many skills that will benefit him for years to come. You are a gifted instructor. May God continue to bless you as you serve others in this way. We will keep in touch and as soon as we have the schools and scholarship info for the letters of recommendation, we will send it to you.
Parent of Grace
I don’t know if Grace ever told you, but your Effective Writing class was her absolute favorite one of the whole year. She enjoyed it thoroughly, and you’ve made such a difference in her writing experience as well as her abilities. Thank you!
Parent of Christyanne
Thank you, Mr. Jenkins! You are a wonderful teacher – so upbeat, knowledgeable, funny, down-to-Earth. Chrissy learned so much from you – your experience as a published writer is excellent for the students!
Parent of Jonathan
Thank you so very much for teaching Jonathan this year. We are so grateful for your input into his life and academic studies.
Kristin G.
Thank you so much for taking time to write letters of recommendation for me. Thank you so much for helping me hone my writing skills and improve my appreciation for th world of literature. I have thoroughly enjoyed being your student.
Priscilla R.
Happy Thanksgiving! You are one of the blessings that I am thankful for. I really appreciate all that you do. Your class is one of my favorites and a lot of that is because of how you teach it.
Parent of Chris
Thank you so much for agreeing to write a reference for Chris’s college applications! In addition to the fact that you taught Chris Effective Writing, you are also familiar with his speech and debate efforts, and most importantly, you are a very experienced and talented teacher – so your reference means a lot to us!
John P.
I thought you’d like to a recent success story from one of your former Effective Writing students. Back in May, as the Bowie section of the class was wrapping up, I took the AP exam for World History. Today, I found out that my score from that test was a 5- the highest score possible. That success was largely due to your class. Teaching us to write SAT-style essays under test conditions was excellent preparation for the AP essays I had to write. There is no way I could’ve gotten a 5 unless the graders liked the essays. And I can safely say after your class, I know how to write those kinds of essays well. So thank you for your excellent teaching in Effective Writing! I’m sure as I enter college, those skills will continue to pay off.
John P. Update. The tricks and tools you taught me in effective writing are making my college papers much easier to handle. I already know the process for writing, and am following the techniques I’ve used before. It also allows me to focus more on the research for this paper, some of which is turning out to be very cool. My topic is the history of reconnaissance aircraft from post-WWII to present day. The really exciting part is that the instructor took at look at some of my sources already found, and helped me set up a meeting with someone in the Air & Space museum who specializes in strategic aerial reconnaissance. Because I know how to begin working on a paper, I now have the chance to work with a high ranking historian at NASM.
Parent of Hannah
My daughter took two writing courses from you in 8th and 9th grade. She was completely prepared for the AP Language and Composition course she took at Patrick Henry Prep. Academy this past year! She found the first semester a little bit challenging and the second semester to be boring. She shared with me many times how she already knew so much that the instructor was teaching in the AP class from what she learned in your writing classes. She also discovered that the timed essays in her AP course were very easy following the method you taught her for succeeding in timed essays. She scored a 5 on the AP exam! You prepared her well for college level writing. Thank you!
Ashley
I just now got the chance to read your e-mail and grades. I appreciate all of the effort you put into our class and especially into me. I’m very grateful for your heartfelt speech at the end of the year and your comments you said in this e-mail. I really learned a lot from your class. I will definitely use what you taught me as i continue into higher education. Thank you so much for everything.
Tia
Thank you so much for teaching me this year! I’ve really enjoyed both Effective Writing and Mock Trial. I really appreciate how you care about each one of us personally and how you make the classes lighthearted and fun. I hope to take more classes with you in future!
Parent of Jesse
I was talking with Jesse the other day and he mentioned to me that the Mock Trial course you teach is superior to his college speech class, and Effective Writing is superior to his English III because you cover the material more thoroughly.
Parent of Holly
By the way, Holly took the SAT 2 subject test for Literature (without studying) and got a 720. Thank you for preparing her for that test!
Haleigh
Hey Mr. J! I go to NOVA now, and my English teacher LOVES my papers and I’ve been getting A’s on all of them…and it’s all thanks to what you taught me in your class last year! You’re also a harder grader than he is, and he’s a college prof! Haha! So thank you so much!
John B.
Thank you very much Mr. J for teaching this year. I had a great time in the Mock Trial class. It was fun, lively, and a lot better than I was expecting. Also, I think your teaching was a big help in making the class enjoyable. Thank you for the comments you had about me, I’m glad you saw me as a good student and not a hard-to-deal-with one. I look forward to taking some of your other classes next year.
Parent of Naomi and Caleb
Let me say a hearty and HEART-FELT thank you for your very kind comments. . .It’s so wonderful and encouraging to hear such positive feedback from someone who has worked somewhat closely with them. But also, may I say that your gracious words reflect your own gracious heart. You were a lasting example to me, the couple times I sat in, of manifesting the fruit of the Spirit in teaching. I mean it. A lasting example. Thank you for that!
Parent of Jonathan
Thank you so much, John, for another wonderful class! I’m so appreciative of the time and talent you give to each of your students. Jonathan had a great year and we are fortunate to have you in our homeschool teaching community.
Parent of Elizabeth
We will miss not having you as a teacher next year. She LEARNED SO MUCH! We have such confidence in her writing abilities that I don’t hesitate having her take any class that requires writing. Thank you for your investment and giving my daughter something that will be with her for life!
Parent of Josh
Thank you, Mr. J! We appreciate you…and hope certainly hope he keeps up the skills he has learned! I’ve recommended this class to 3 others this year, so sure hope they will pursue it. You are one of a kind.
Parent of Jordan
You are such a blessing to Jordan and the other kids! Your classes provide an atmosphere that encourages the love of learning. What a gift! Thank you for helping Jordan to develop her writing skills, as well as helping her to mature in some other critical areas. She has really learned to appreciate the importance of planning ahead and organization as means for success and peace.
Parent of Taylor
Thank you for all that you did for Taylor and his learning this year. While the writing class was a bit of a challenge for him, and he asked to withdraw. . .in the end he commented to me that he was glad to have taken it. He sees now how it has really prepared him for the maps he’s preparing for his WWII class, the Carroll County Times paper he hopes to write for the contest, and any future writing in the years to come. Now there’s a glimmer of maturity peeking through!
(Aug 2011) Just thought you’d like to see how your effort in teaching Taylor writing skills has begun to pay off for him! Thank you! http://www.carrollcountytimes.com/100th_anniversary/
Parent of Derek
We wanted to take the opportunity to thank you for being part of our educational journey this past year, and for your continued support as we finish out the year. You are a consummate professional, a truly gifted and dedicated teacher and a man of wonderful character and (quite clearly) boundless patience.
Parent of Bonnie
Thank you for all you do for your students. Bonnie has truly enjoyed her classes with you. Bonnie would have signed up for the Published Student class if she wasn�t graduating! Thank you also for the letter of recommendation you wrote for Bonnie. We really appreciate your help. I must tell you that Bonnie was not awarded that scholarship. But she was awarded a different $20,000 scholarship to the Art Institute and a $16,000 scholarship to the Delaware College of Art and Design. . .I wanted you to know about the scholarships because I believe they reflect so highly on the high academic standards of CHESS. Thank you!
Parent of Monica
Thank you for this evaluation. Thank you, also, for your kind words. We recognize that Our Lord has given her a talent. We are hoping that He will show her how He wants those talents used to glorify Him. You have had such a fabulous effect on Monica, and we are grateful that we found you!
Parent of Ryan
My son took your class two years ago and thoroughly enjoyed it. He is currently attending Seton Catholic School in Manassas. He recently mentioned how helpful your class has been to him in school. Thank you for providing Ryan with such a great foundation in business writing.