Sondra Hall

Hi! I'm a seasoned wordsmith with an extensive background as both a freelancer and an on-staff writer. My projects are as varied as my interests and passions and include work for both nonprofit and for-profit organizations. Freelance writing clients include a food bank, a mental health practice, a University in Spain, a website catering to job seekers, a start-up focusing on school reform, and a private writers' retreat, among others. I've written email fundraising campaigns, donor cultivation letters, marketing collateral (print and online), e-newsletters, blog posts, and website content.


I'm also an educator and founder of "Take My Word For It!” an organization that brought the adventure of writing to elementary and middle school kids for thirteen years. We served thousands of students in the San Francisco Bay area, Boston, and northern Virginia. I also teach adult creative writing classes privately, as well as in community college programs.


I enjoy galavanting around in my imagination with pencil and paper in hand, and am currently at work on a memoir.

In Step PC •

Learning How to Learn

Advances in neuroscience have given us more insight into how the brain processes and retains information. We’re constantly understanding more about how we learn. But because education and cognitive science have only been cross-pollinating in the last decade or so, how we educate students has been slow to change. The way schools have delivered information to students for more than a century—learning by rote, spitting out memorized facts and figures and learning subjects in silos, disconnected from
Common Threads Project •

Our Work Matters Even More in 2022 (Madera Group client)

As the founder of Common Threads Project I’m immensely proud of the life-changing impact of our work. I’m also distressed that the Shadow Pandemic of violence against women, a dire result of COVID 19, makes our work even more urgent. With your support we are ready to respond. Even in the most challenging contexts, we know that recovery is possible. In this short video, learn about the courageous journey of healing that Common Threads girls and women are making.
Take My Word For It! •

Learning doesn't have to stop at the bell! —

Learning doesn't have to stop at the bell! "Take My Word For It!" is always rolling out lots of new, creativity-sparking writing activities! Our after-school enrichment programs feature a different curriculum for each session of the school year. We also offer summer camps! (Click for all of the details.) Classes are typically priced per session and range from $18 - $20 per class hour. (So, a 10 week session is between $180 and $200.) Here are some samples: Do you have a secret recipe for m
LiveCareer •

Strategies for Job-Hunting in Times of Uncertainty

Job hunting in a down economy can be a daunting prospect. You’ll probably need to work harder at it and you’ll definitely need to work smarter to find new opportunities. Comedian Milton Berle summed it up when he said, "If opportunity doesn't knock, then build a door." Here are six strategies to help you “build your door” and better position yourself to land a new job. Business Insider’s Gina Belli reports that “even when figures are broken down into different categories of job seekers and peo
In Step PC •

Making Life Easier for Kids with Learning Challenges

Having a kid with learning and behavior challenges requires a lot of learning on your part. What are the best treatment options, best learning environments, how do you locate the best support and resources for you, your child, and your family? Most importantly, how do you help your child learn? Technology to the rescue! There are loads of digital tools out there (some free, some for a reasonable fee) designed to help kids with all kinds of learning challenges. We’ve compiled a list, with link