West Tenn. Writing Project to host summer institute

Posted: Friday, March 23, 2012 12:17 pm

The West Tennessee Writing Project (WTWP) will host its 20th annual summer institute on May 12 and from June 4-14 on the main campus of the University of Tennessee at Martin. The registration deadline is May 7.
David Carithers, WTWP director and associate professor of English at UT Martin, will introduce participants to new strategies for teaching writing across the curriculum. Participating teachers will also attend two follow-up meetings during the academic year to share classroom results.
During the summer institute, teachers will share effective classroom strategies using writing across the curriculum, read and discuss current research in literacy practices in the classroom, and share new writing in small writing groups.
“Although this year’s summer institute is offered in a modified format, teachers will receive the same high quality professional development as those who have enrolled in the previous nineteen institutes,” Carithers said. “Teachers from all disciplines are encouraged to register.”
Carithers explained that teachers who complete the summer institute will receive the following benefits: new ideas to teach writing in their classrooms, increased confidence in their personal writing, free books on writing and reading pedagogy, 52 renewal points to be used toward recertification, and membership in a community of professionals who are interested in improving the teaching of writing in West Tennessee.
“Longitudinal studies show that students who are taught by teachers who have participated in National Writing Project programs outperform their peers on writing assessments,” Carithers said.
Past participants of the writing program highly recommend the institute to new registrants.
“I can say without a doubt that this has been the most valuable educational experience I have had the privilege of attending in my entire teaching career,” said Mary Lee Grossner of Martin Elementary School, a 2011 institute participant.
“I have learned more in the summer institute than I’ve ever learned in all the other professional developments I’ve attended combined,” said Linda Barclay, an Obion County New Teacher Mentor.
WTWP is a federally recognized professional development provider under the No Child Left Behind guidelines through its affiliation with the National Writing Project. Schools and districts can pay for the institute with Title I or Title II monies.
The registration fee is $350 and seating is limited to 20 teachers. Online registration is available through the UT Martin Office of Extended Campus and Online Studies. For information on billing, contact ECOS at 881-7080.
For more information on WTWP, contact Carithers at 881-7290, or by email at dcarithers@utm.edu, or visit the WTWP website at www.utm.edu/wtwp.
Published in The WCP 3.22.12