Gretchen is a new teacher who is still trying to get settled. She is a pretty easy grader.

Gretchen can go on power trips but I found that if I said nothing at all during the class and just sat there and smiled, all was well. You get a lot of homework in this course but she grades very easily. Unless you're a complete idiot, you can pass this class. If you make an effort to meet up with her, she'll adore you.

Easily the best English teacher I've ever had. You have to read a lot and be prepared in class, but the class is fun and you get speak your mind. Don't worry about buying a book because she gives hand outs in class. Pretty easy grader, and very lenient on topics for essays. I would recommend this class to anyone

The mark of a good teacher is one who can keep a student coming to class even if said student hates the reading material. Gretchen accomplished this, making me see relevance in what was possibly the worst book ever. She is extremely personable on a one-on-one basis and her faith in my abilities was an inspiration. Take her! She knows her business.

Gretchen is such a sweetheart! People say her class is more like a 3rd grade class..would you call reading 10-20 (philosophy) pages every other day 3rd grade? She's just great. My only complaint is that when giving feedback, she is pretty repetitive. And it's not that she ignores what she disagrees with, she's just looking for something specific.

She expects a lot from her students in terms of homework. She stated straight up she believes writing a lot prevents writer's block. Which isn't a problem if you like writing - that's basically how you can summer Gretchen up. If you love composition, you'll love her class and it'll be easy. If you hate composition, you'll hate this class.

I wish I could take a class from Gretchen every quarter till I graduate, because she is seriously the best English teacher I have ever had. She's insightful, fair, very patient and always willing to help you on ANYTHING. Remember to cite like you've never cited before on your final paper!

Strong course in thinking, reading, and writing analytically and critically. Valuable for my future coursework. Gretchen really cares about the success of her students--and it shows.

Gretchen lights up a literature class! Her enthusiasm and passion for her subject and her students is awesome! I wish she taught more classes at WCC. This course feels like a book club--but with writing. Take it--you won't regret it.

I'm in this class because my advisor recommended it. I wasn't sure what it would be like. But I'm really glad I took it and Gretchen's a enthusiastic teacher. I don't really get the comments about her being opinionated. My experience is that she is open and cares alot about her students.

Gretchen is a great prof. I was really worried about coming back to school but she has encouraged me a lot. I don't get the comments about her being closeminded. She is really open and really respectful of student input. I'll bet it is folks who are really opinionated and not really open themselves. Take her. You won't regret it.

I was really nervous about this class. You don't get graded by your own teacher; it is by a panel of readers. Gretchen got everyone of us through to 101. She is tough, but she really cares about us. And I learned things I will use in many of my future courses.

I was told Gretchen Coulter was a really great teacher--but that you write A LOT. This is true! However, we read some of the most diverse readings I've experienced in college so far. Plus, she is truly committed to her students. She writes AWESOME letters of recommendation. I would take her again in a minute.

Gretchen really loves what she teaches and it shows. She was very clear about the assignments-the directions for the essays were pages long. The class was challenging and I am glad that it was. I grew in my writing abilities as well as analysis abilities and developed more of an appreciation of literature. I miss the discussions and the class.

This class is really challenging. The reading material is dense and the writing is nonstop. But I have to say that in spite of it being alot of work, Gretchen ensures that you leave the class as a better student than when you began. She cares about her subject matter and you. A+

Gretchen is by far the BEST instructor I have ever had. Yes, there is a lot of writing, but the material read is interesting and discussions are insightful! She will ALWAYS make herself available to you and also makes it clear that she makes herself available to assist in letters of reference and university applications! TAKE HER!!!!!!!

This is an anyalitical writing class, and people who don't want to do that are going to hate her. Gretchen is a brilliant teacher though, she gives clear guidlines, interesting readings, and is always open to new ideas. More so than anything though she wants you to approach her. I haven't had an instructer yet who was as kind and helpful as she was

Gretchen is an AWESOME teacher. I heard good reviews about her from other students and I was not disappointed. You read and write a lot, but she is very supportive and cares about student success. She also writes terrific letters of recommendation for her students. The whiners need to take someone else.

I loved Gretchen. She has a great passion for English, and uses her own experiences as an English student to try and help students avoid common pitfalls. Her class was very fun to go to, and the texts were all very interesting. There's a fair amount of writing, but honestly it really isn't that much for a 200-level writing course.

This teacher is amazing. She really opened my eyes to a topic I knew very little about prior to taking this course, and now I am absolutely in love with that subject. Very kind and understanding teacher with a world of knowledge! Highly recommended.

I loved Gretchen's class. Her work was challenging but fun and easy to keep up with as long as you don't slack off and you take the class seriously. She will definitely work with you. Not tolerant with excuses for late work so don't bother. If you're a beginning English major I'd definitely recommend her.

Gretchen is highly knowledgeable and a very enthusiastic teacher. She purposefully strives to make her courses relevant to a student's perspective. This class taught me that there is way more to Children's literature than whether you like it or not. I'll never read that same again.

Gretchen is the BEST. Not only is she sweet as can be, she is very knowledgeable and organized. There is a good amount of homework, but it's easy once you start. No tests. End of quarter research paper. Two presentations. My favorite class I've taken at WCC so far and wish I could take it again. Going to the ChildLit Conference was wonderful.

Gretchen is a passionate instructor. She cares about her students and her subject material. I learned to dig deeper and to stop skimming the surface of my reading and thinking. She has a great sense of humor and is very open to ideas that stretch or expand or connect to things outside her curriuclum. You have to back stuff up, but she is great.

It was clear from the first day that Gretchen was meant to be a teacher. She's enthusiastic about what she teaches, and I personally found all of the material very relevant and thought-provoking. Gretchen was extremely lenient on late-work, as long as you would communicate and show an effort to catch up. Plus, she's super approachable, and funny

Gretchen is definitely enthusiastic about teaching. She really enjoys her job which makes you enjoy the class. Be prepared to work this class is a lot of reading and writing. At least three papers per week single-spaced and a full page. Occasionally she seems annoyed when you ask her questions, but everyone has off days.

Teaching style is different than other English/Lit courses you'll take. Enthusiastic, knows her stuff, and pretty open to new ideas. Expect to work hard with little guidance, but she's not as tough on grading as you'd think & you'll come away from the class a better writer.

Management assignment outside class. Very good professor if one is planning a degree at Whatcom Community College. Had her in 2009.

Gretchen is not a tough grader if the work you produce is fairly well done. She does assign a lot of reading and along with the reading you have a page plus reading responses.

While I've seen some reviews complaining about Gretchen, I really enjoyed her for my English 201 class. She was kind and very understanding of some special circumstances I had. Keep in mind though- she gives a LOT of homework. There's stuff due every day. It's a brutal load for the first half of the quarter, but it eases up towards the end.

I read through many of these comments and I think that the nay-sayers must be whiny and lazy students. This instructor is amazing. She will go far and beyond what you ask of her, and the course content really connects with real life. She also makes (and keeps) her commitment to write outstanding letters of recommendation. Well worth the money.

Gretchen makes it clear that she doesn't accept late work and absences aren't excused because she wants her students to pass. She is clear on criteria and as long as you follow it, passing the class is not a problem. Lots of readings and responses. The class is discussion based as well, so there aren't any lectures. Would take again.

Expect to spend most of the quarter reading and responding to texts. Homework can take a long time and there is an assignment every night. But if done according to the rubric and you talk to her, you will do great. She is inspiring and reinvigorated my love of writing and reading.

CL is amazing! Gretchen sets it up so that students get to contribute to the course content. We chose books for presentations. I loved learning how CL is not just about touchy/feely stuff. We learned about theories of literature and how CL has evolved over many decades. The discussions were amazing and G knows her stuff--and it was super fun!

If you want an easy A dont take this class. Gretchen assigns homework every night and spends classtime with discussion about readings she assigned. She has helped me grow as a writer and I really like how she was very specific with her grading criteria. You can genuinely tell Gretchen cares for all her students and wants to help them succeed.

I took this class as an elective credit. It was AMAZING. Gretchen helps you to read and connect literature to real life. She tries to make each class a safe place where you get to explore your ideas, and on the whole, students really bond in her classroom. I loved the reading selections, and the writing assignments were reasonable. Great prof

It's a good thing I didn't pay attention to the naysayers on this site. Gretchen is OUTSTANDING. The readings, assignments, class discussions, and 1 on 1 meetings, made this this class one of the top 3 I've taken at WCC. She is smart, clearly dedicated to students, and she's hilarious! She challenges opinions--not reasoned arguments. Love her!

I'm SO glad I took this class. I've grown as a thinker and a writer, and I now know how to confidently ask questions about things I may not know. Gretchen is smart, caring, supportive, and creates relationships that last beyond her class. The coursework is relevant to the subject, but also to real life. Love her! English 201, WCC

I don't know how anyone could give Gretchen a poor rating. She's extremely sweet and passionate about literature, which makes class more enjoyable. I will say there is A LOT of reading and writing in here though. 10 chapters of textbook, the entire book "Boy" by Roald Dahl, a young adult novel- all need to be read with reading logs to follow.

Such a great professor. Assigns good material and knows how to get students to engage in class. Definitely reading heavy. Attendance is important but if you have good reason and let her know ahead of time she will work with you. I had to miss a few days for surgery and she was very accommodating.

Gretchen is one of the best profs I've had. What I found really annoying were the number of RS students who complain about her and the work load. She was patient, but kept to her standards. Excellent course, well-designed, and would gladly take her again.

This is the second class I've taken from Gretchen. She was really understanding about some personal issues that came up in the quarter. She is prepared, professional, expects students to act like adult college students, and creates a safe space for us to explore things. She came recommended, and I wasn't disappointed.

This was a good class, but it was a lot of work. The only reason I wouldnt take it again is the work. Mrs. Coulter is really smart, deeply caring, and I liked her. But SO. MUCH. WORK. Hah!

Loved Gretchen! She was so kind and became one of my favorite teachers, she even offered to write me letters of rec for whatever I need in the future! Talk to her and get to known her and do the homework and youll do great! I didnt do any of the readings for the Circle but she drops the lowest grades so I still got an A!

Gretchen is an outstanding professor. She makes it clear that taking a CC course must be equal to University. She prepares you to write after her classroom, unlike most English classes. I had personal challenges during the qtr and she worked with me. Would take her again.

Great class. Do not forget to read the class book and prompts(for me it was Cirlce). She shows respect to all of her students and she is a great listener. Theres a lot to learn in the class so if you miss class without letting her know ahead of time then you bound to driz-own( drown). If you want technique and engaging conversations take this clas

Gretchen created an amazing online class, and reduced the number of assignments in order to really help students succeed. She was fully available, and guided us through a tough time. Her care, compassion, acceptance of late work up until the end of the quarter, and constant messages of support, helped me in her class and all my other ones. AMAZING.

Really a nice person!

This professor was the most kind hearted teacher I have ever had. If you communicate with her about being late to turn in assignments, she is so understanding and caring. When we would schedule a zoom meeting to talk, I couldnt wait to chat because I always knew I would leave the call feeling so much better about school and just stronger overall!

Honestly one of the nicest teachers I've ever had, as long as you communicate with her she'll understand why you might turn in an assignment late. A lot of the reading is really enjoyable and she actually got me back into reading more books again because of her passion for reading and teaching. I appreciate her feedback and overall attidude.

Very considerate when it comes to grading especially with covid which is always appreciated. Reading heavy class but thats expected since thats literally what the class is about. Enjoyed taking the class and would definitely recommend it to others!

Gretchen was such a caring and genuine professor. She always provided nice feedback and was very encouraging. You have to read and write a lot, but it's an English class so that's not exactly a surprise! I really appreciated the course material and the leniency she gave for your writing.

Gretchen is a true professional. She creates engaging curriculum, is highly organized, and grades work promptly and fairly. She is available for conferencing, and cares about the whole student. I wish I could take more classes with her!

Sweet professor if you start off on the right foot, she has great feedback but a lot of her assignments were busy work. If you stay on top of it you'll be successful in the class.

Great english professor. I felt my writing skills went way up in her class because she really does want to push you to success. Also the readings were great and very current to today. If you love to read and be informed take her class!

She has an interesting grading system, and its a bit scary how she presents it. She says if you meet the criteria you get a B grade, and in order to earn an A you have to have gone a bit above standard. However, shes a very fair grader and if you are genuine in your writing you'll do great!