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Westonite James Lomuscio didn't consider himself the teaching type when he became a journalist more than 30 years ago. But after he landed a job as an adjunct professor at Norwalk Community College in 1996, his thinking changed.
Lomuscio who has worked for Gannett newspapers, the New York Times, Connecticut Post, Stamford Advocate, Westport Magazine, Westport News and Westport Now said he got hooked his first year. A student from South America wanted to write a paper on immigration and prejudices that immigrants encounter. Lomuscio encouraged the student, helping him to create and edit the essay.
"One day he came in waving two newspapers in his hand. This fellow had his op-ed piece, extended letter to the editor, published in both The Advocate and Greenwich Time on Easter Sunday," Lomuscio said. "I actually helped him discover the power of words, so that got me hooked on teaching."
Lomuscio has been teaching ever since, taking adjunct positions at Sacred Heart and Western Connecticut State University until he was offered a full-time spot there two years ago.
"If I can help these students not just write that great essay, but to really help them discover their voice and have confidence in writing, that's what really matters," said the father of two Weston High School graduates.
He has also written two books: a book on the creation of the Saugatuck Reservoir called "Village of the Damned" and a textbook he uses in his courses.
Now Lomuscio is offering to coach high school seniors on their college application essays as well as anyone interested in improving writing skills for nonfiction books, memoirs and more. In a once-a-week lesson, he can guide clients through every step in the writing process, from brainstorming a topic, to developing a paper, to a polished product.
If you're interested in being coached, contact him at JamesJLomuscio@aol.com or call 203-454-4774.
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