Would you like to improve your writing and learn more about the teaching of writing? Do you see yourself as a teacher of teachers or would you like to be? The Maine Writing Project, a site of the National Writing Project, welcomes applications for our 2008 class of Fellows.
We are an association of 260 educators from across the state of Maine. Each year we invite sixteen (16) educators to join our ranks by participating in our summer institute. Our membership includes kindergarten teachers and college professors, physics teachers and principals. Many of us teach English language arts and others work as literacy specialists. We all feel deeply about learning-centered classrooms and schools. We are National Board Certified Teachers, authors, award-winning educators, songwriters, doctoral students, artists, editors, poets, actors, and musicians. The common thread: all of us know the importance of writing in our personal and professional lives, and in the lives of our students.
Fellows who complete the summer institute become teacher-consultants (TCs) of the National Writing Project/Maine Writing Project. This past year MWP teacher-consultants staffed our eleventh Summer Institute, five Young Authors’ Camps, an Adolescent Literacy Institute, and several grant-funded opportunities. Scores of TCs presented professional development workshops and inservice days across the State of Maine and beyond.
The National Writing Project is the premier effort to improve writing in America. Through its professional development model, NWP builds the leadership, programs, and research needed for teachers to help their students become successful writers and learners. The project fosters an interdisciplinary community and support system of teachers, administrators, and specialists from all grade levels and content areas. We encourage applications from all grade levels, K-University, and from all subject areas. We particularly encourage applications from secondary science and math teachers.
After reviewing applications and conducting interviews, our board of directors (made up of local educators) will invite up to sixteen (16) educators to participate as Fellows.
The Summer Institute is a six-credit graduate course. School districts typically pay the University of Maine tuition (approximately $2380) for their teachers, specialists, or administrators. In addition, each Fellow receives a stipend of at least $250. The stipend may be used to pay for books, housing, conference expenses, or travel.
The Invitational Summer Institute is an opportunity to look closely at your own writing and student writing; to talk with colleagues about issues and ideas in the teaching of writing; to work toward becoming teacher leaders; and to share classroom practices or activities.
- Testing is Not Teaching by Donald Graves
- Teachers at the Center by Gray
- Teaching the Neglected "R" by Kent and Newkirk
- Because Writing Matters by NWP and Carl Nagin
A list of recommended titles will be supplied; select one book for each category below:
(Please make as many copies of this form as you like.)
Name of Applicant: __________________________________________________________
Applicant Home Address: _____________________________________________________
Applicant Home Phone: ______________________________________________________
E-mail Address: _____________________________________________________________
School Name: ______________________________________________________________
School Address: ____________________________________________________________
School Phone ______________________________________________________________
Teaching/Administrative Assignment and Grade Level: _____
On a separate sheet the Applicant should respond to the following:
Please include a letter of recommendation by someone who knows you as a teacher.
Send to: Cindy Dean, University of Maine, 205 Shibles Hall, Orono, ME 04469-5766 or send an electronic application to cindy@umit.maine.edu.