Creative writing students from KPU teach in Surrey and Delta<\/p>\n
Published 4:00 pm Tuesday, April 7, 2026<\/p>\n
A creative writing teacher from Kwantlen Polytechnic University (KPU) turned the tables on her students for an unusual role reversal project.<\/p>\n
Instructor Jen Currin from KPU had students embark on a project that put them at the head of the class instead of seated in one.<\/p>\n
Currin dispatched her students in teams of two to Surrey and Delta high schools with one assignment in mind: teach writing to a class of teenagers you\u2019ve never met before.<\/p>\n
\u201cI can\u2019t say it wasn\u2019t daunting going from being a student to suddenly having students,\u201d third-year KPU creative writing student Nicole Opong-Agyare says in a KPU news story.<\/p>\n
Opong-Agyare says the process went a lot smoother than she anticipated. \u201cIt was inspiring seeing the students have so much fun with writing, and it reminded me a lot of myself when I first started at KPU.\u201d<\/p>\n
Currin mentions that her goal was to give upper-level students a chance to practise their teaching skills while building connections with high school teachers and students.<\/p>\n
Currin says experiential learning has become more effective for many types of learners.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe learn by doing, and this new partnership allows students to get a taste of what it means to teach,\u201d said Currin.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe students have been really excited to get into classrooms and start sharing what they have learned in the creative writing program with younger students,\u201d shared Currin.<\/p>\n
Opong-Agyare says this experience allowed her to apply her knowledge from the program in a practical setting, which helped boost her confidence.<\/p>\n
\u201cGoing into the classroom, I reminded myself that my skill or confidence as a teacher wasn\u2019t as important as simply coming together to celebrate the craft of writing. Once I shifted my perspective, everything was a lot less nerve-wracking and immensely more enjoyable,\u201d shared Opong-Agyare.<\/p>\n
Opong-Agyare taught a class along with her teammate, fellow KPU creative writing student Cypher Neri, at Tamanawis Secondary School in Surrey.<\/p>\n
They taught students how to define the elements of a story before leading the group in a discussion. After the discussion, Opong-Agyare and Neri shared a short guide with the students that drew on ideas discussed in that class.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt was a pleasant surprise to find out that the class still actively participated with our plans. It was great to see the students\u2019 motivation to learn,\u201d shared Neri.<\/p>\n
Neri said the experience reaffirmed how valuable it is to connect with the world beyond the classroom.<\/p>\n
\u201cOne will never know what it\u2019s like out there until they experience it for themselves,\u201d said Neri.<\/p>\n
Neri mentioned that this experience strengthened their skills, built connections and created memories. \u201cIs that not a great way to learn as a university student?\u201d<\/p>\n
Another third-year KPU creative writing student and aspiring teacher was assigned a class at Burnsview Secondary School in Delta.<\/p>\n
Isabelle Reader said studying at KPU has helped build her confidence and offer opportunities to try out teaching techniques.<\/p>\n
\u201cThese experiences are tremendously valuable,\u201d said Reader. \u201cThey allow us to apply concepts learned in the classroom, and figure out what works, what doesn\u2019t and where you want to apply changes.\u201d<\/p>\n
Reader said she feels better prepared for the day she is given her own classroom to run.<\/p>\n