Stephen Kotok is an associate professor in the Department of Administrative and Instructional Leadership at St. John’s University in New York City. His research focuses on the opportunity gap for low-income and minoritized PK-12 students, and how school context affects these disparities. Specifically, Kotok examines equity-based school improvement strategies related to school climate and detracking, as well as policy-level issues such as school choice and segregation. Prior to joining St. John’s University, was a member of the administrative team at Hope Academy Charter School in Asbury Park, NJ, and was a social studies teacher with the School District of Philadelphia.

Is your research mostly qualitative or quantitative or other?

Quantitative

Describe your writing process/routine?

I usually write with colleagues, including academics and graduate students. Together, we can develop a research plan, brainstorm an outline, and set deadlines for each other. The conference calendar also helps to keep writing on track as we clarify our thoughts for a proposal, complete a draft for the conference, and then use the feedback from conference to make the final touches on the manuscript. When it comes to my own writing time, I usually like to write at a public space like a public library or coffee shop. Towards the end of the project, I love to print it out on paper so I can take a final look with pen to paper. 

When did you develop your writing process/routine?

I was fortunate to have amazing teachers and mentors. My high school English teachers first taught me the keys of organizing and arguing. During undergrad, I pulled all-nighters to write. But, in graduate school I eventually realized writing was more of a process, and required a longer time for the writing to breathe and develop.

Why did you develop your writing routine?

I developed my routine because I need organization and accountability. 

How did you improve your academic writing skills?

I improve my academic writing skills by frequently serving as a reviewer and collaborating with peers who provide a different perspective on communicating. 

What time of day do you find you write best?

Night (7pm – 12am)

What resources helped you become a better writer (books, mentors, writers, etc.)?

My mentors were the best. They taught me the importance of deadlines and being able to communicate your argument in an accessible way. I look to other scholars who I enjoy reading to help me think about how to write as well. 

How do you make time for writing with all the other commitments you have?

This is a major challenge. I have weekly writing groups where I can block off at least a couple of hours to keep projects moving. I also try my best to make boundaries for other commitments so that I am free during the breaks. 

What are your strategies for staying productive and for maintaining momentum with your writing?  (get specific and concrete)

I utilize my peer networks such as writing groups and working with peers who I know will be committed to the project. 

What is the best writing advice you have gotten?

My adviser told me writing comes in waves. If the words start flowing, ride the wave and keep writing. The next day the wave may ebb and you might regret not riding that wave of creative juices. 

What writing tools do you suggest? (Apps, books, etc.)

I’m pretty old school. 

What are some specific practices and rules for writing within your discipline that other researchers and graduate students might not be aware of?

When writing for educational leadership, it must be explicit about the role of leadership. There are other journals that focus more widely on education such as Teachers College Record or American Journal of Education. 

Who are some writers you particularly admire, and what about their writing seems most admirable to you?

Erica Frankenberg, Huriya Jabbar, Sarah Diem, Anjale Welton, Chris Lubienski, and so many more. I find their writing to be thorough and tell a clear story. 

What advice would you give to fellow writers (Make this concrete. i.e.: Read widely – what does that look like in practice? How does that benefit the process? What should the writer be looking for when reading?)

Read from different disciplines such as sociology and economics, as well as different formats such as practitioner journals. Also write different formats, case studies and op-eds for example. It opens up different types of writing skills. 

You can check out Dr. Kotok’s work on Google Scholar!