In early September, as a former writing teacher/writing coach, I addressed the elementary and middle school teachers of a nearby school district on teaching writing from a writer's perspective. To begin with, I honored them as teachers of writing, a task that becomes more and more challenging in our test driven school culture. Then, to honor some writers, I shared with the teachers a few key statements about writing and the teaching of writing from writers whose writing I respect.
Here's a sampling of what I shared. You might want to make a collection of your own:

1. From Alexander Pope, 18th century English poet and essayist:

"True ease in writing comes form art not chance,
as those who move easiest have learned to dance."

2. From Toni Bentley, author and former dancer:

"...good writing is not about knowing words, grammar or Faulkner, but having the rare ability to tell the truth, an ability that education and sophistication often serve to conceal." (in a NY Timesbook review

3. From Leah Hager Cohen, author of fiction and non-fiction, and a writing instructor

"It just seems practical to me that good writing instruction, especially with young children, ought to begin with play and pleasure, and when the child is already engaged, has a personal stake in the poem or story or whatever it is, then he or she would move more naturally - would WANT -
to learn and employ all the technical skills, in the service of the piece of writing, and in the service of what might by then feel like passion."
(from a personal email)