What is the NWP Summer Institute?

The National Writing Project Invitational Summer Institute is a four-week professional development experience that allows K – college teachers to explore their own writing practices as a means of improving their writing instruction. The Institute is an opportunity to enter a community of teachers who are interested in exploring practices and issues related to process instruction. In the opening two weeks of the Institute, participants read about and create a workshop community. In this context, each participate is asked to draft and write an evocative piece. In the final two weeks of the Institute, participants receive organizational support and coaching as they create a 75-interactive presentation that addresses best instructional practice(s) that address a particular instructional problem associated with the teaching of writing.

Upon completion of the Institute, participants are recognized as Teacher Consultants who support our inservice, outreach, and continuity activities. In the area of continuity, our members participate in a bi-monthly writing group, an active online discussion forum, writing retreats, site receptions, leadership committees, and an annual Midwinter Writing Conference. In the area of inservice, our members offer their interactive workshops in the context of annual inservices series that we provide our school partners. For this, our Teacher Consultants receive competitive compensation. Finally, our members offer their workshops through the Office of Corporate and Continuing Education at Raritan Valley Community College, our outreach partner.

Who can participate?

Teachers of any grade level or subject area who seek a professional community that will support their writing and writing instruction.

Why should I spend part of my summer in a Summer Institute?

Writing is fundamental to learning in all schools, content areas, grades and ability levels. One guiding belief of the National Writing Project is that teachers, not external “experts,” best facilitate reform in writing instruction. Participation in the Summer Institute allows you career-long opportunities to engage with those who desire:

• sustained and meaningful exploration of writing for its own sake and of best practices for the classroom,
  
• opportunities to network with other dedicated professionals,
  
• access to a nationwide network of Teacher Consultants who write and teach writing.