[Alexandra's] literary knowledge, her sharp editor's eye, and her writer's psyche made for a powerful impact on me and generally on all of Alexandra's students. Since taking that first New School class,  I have come to know many of ''Alexandra's writers'' through a community she nourishes intellectually and socially through readings, meetings and the sharing of celebrations as stories then collections then novels are accepted for publication. Her combination of a highly intellectual approach to writing, when combined with her strong practical bent, perhaps account for her success; she often requires students to draft submission letters as part of her class and to partner with a fellow student to identify potential agents for approach.

But it is her passion for writing that sets her apart from other teaching writers. She has that rare ability to imbue her students with her own confidence and enthusiasm; so much so, that it is difficult to be serious about writing, attend one of Alexandra's classes and be unchanged as a result as a writer. She insists, in her firm and gentle way, and always only by implication, that her students commit themselves to a writerly life; not one of penury and struggle but rather simply of thoughtful, consistent writing. And she is successful: her students have gone on to the MFA programs at Iowa, Columbia, NYU and of course, (including in my case) the New School and routinely, to publication.

-Joy Rhoades
Author, The Woolgrower's Companion