Rick Kreinbring is a 26 year veteran and teaches AP language and composition and AP literature and composition at Avondale High School in Auburn Hills Michigan. Rick worked with the Henry Ford Institute to develop his practice of using design thinking in the classroom. We talk about how he emphasizes to his students the critical importance of the role of empathy and audience in producing effective writing. We also talk about this work with the National Writing Project. To learn more about the NWP, you can watch this short film about Elyse Eidman-Aadhal.