I spent a good part of the day yesterday at a leadership retreat for the Western Massachusetts Writing Project. We worked in collaborative groups to explore the varied programs we are offering for teachers and students, and then began to lay the foundation for a vision for the future of our site. The writing project is always looking ahead (not withstanding concerns about funding at the federal level, of course) and the visioning process is often done as a group, and not by an individual. It’ s so heartening to be in a room of such smart people, particularly as we discussed strategies for creating leadership opportunities for even more people in our network.
On the chalkboard, our site director had etched out all of the work of our site from last year and it covered the entire chalkboard. I jotted down what she had written because I am working on a redesign of our website and it seemed like very useful information.
See for yourself:
Invitational Summer Institute
Co-directors: Joanne and Dawn
(A four-week intensive summer program that includes writing, research and inquiry, sharing of ideas and connecting with other teachers in many content areas.)
● Orientation
● Post-Invitational Summer Institute Inquiry Groups/Projects
● Invitational Summer Institute Inquiry Task Force
Continuity
Co-director: Sherill
(Programs and offerings that allow teachers to remain connected to the work of the writing project site.)
● Digital Is technology resources developed by WMWP Technology Team
● Massachusetts Writing Project
● New England Writing Project
● Executive Board
● Teachers as Writers
● Writing Response groups
● Writing Contest (annual)
● iAnthology online network
● Writing Mini-Marathons
● Summer program: Teachers as Writers
● Retirees network
● Newsletter (twice a year)
In-Service
Co-director: Tracy
(Programs that support teachers through professional development sessions to learn more about literacy and writing instruction.)
● English Language Learners Network
● Technology Spring Conferences
● Content-area Literacy Inquiry
● School/district-based in-service/Professional Development
● Department of Youth Services Initiative
● Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education Summer Institutes
● Literacy/ Non-fiction Seminar
● Expository/Persuasive Writing Seminar
● MTEL Test Support Group
● Best Practices Fall Conference (annual Fall event)
● Certificate in Writing Program at UMass
● Living Holyoke Institute
Youth and Family Outreach
Co-director: Joanne
(Programs that reach young writers and connect with families through writing, technology and literacy).
● SummerWRITE for Youths
● Smith Voke (Claymation/Comics)
● UMass SummerWRITE
● Springfield YMCA digital storytelling
● Springfield Housing Authority digital storytelling
Peace (in the reach),
Kevin