RUTH CULHAM, Ed.D., is the president of the Culham Writing Company and former Unit Manager of the Assessment Program at Education Northwest in Portland, Oregon. Ruth was English Teacher of the Year in Montana, the highlight of her 19-year teaching career. She holds specialty degrees in Library Science and Elementary, Middle, and Secondary English Education. Ruth is the recognized expert in the traits of writing field and author of over 40 teaching resources published by Scholastic, including 6+1 Traits of Writing: The Complete Guide, Grades 3 and Up; 6+1 Traits of Writing: The Complete Guide for the Primary Grades; and Traits of Writing: The Complete Guide for Middle School, winner of the 2011 Teacher's Choice award. (Not surprising, however, since middle school is her true love.) She has a new book for principals, What Principals Need to Know About Teaching and Learning Writing (2014), and another exciting new blockbuster text from IRA: The Writing Thief: Using Mentor Texts to Teach the Craft of Writing (2014). As the author of Traits Writing: The Complete Writing Program for Grades K-8 (2012), she has launched a writing revolution. Traits Writing is the culmination of 40 years of educational experience, research, practice, and passion. There's always more-in her heart and on her mind. Her connections to teachers and students keep the work fresh. Her home office keeps her comfortable. Her friends keep her in wine. Her cats keep her company. Life is pretty good.