About the Western Pennsylvania Writing Project
This teacher-centered, teacher led professional development program serves teachers, schools and students in eight counties in Western Pennsylvania. It is a site of the National Writing Project and a program of the University of Pittsburgh's School of Education. Each of the nearly 200 sites of the National Writing Project is based in a college or university and is designed for collaboration between universities and classroom teachers. Since 1984, WPWP has served teachers and students in 50 school
districts across Western Pennsylvania and has partnered with over 150
local schools and community organizations in its efforts to strengthen
academic and public literacy.
“...the National Writing Project inherently trusts and believes in teachers. NWP knows, and puts into practice, the profound idea that the best teacher of a teacher is an accomplished and thoughtful colleague.”
—Mark St. John, President, Inverness Research Associates
Recent research shows writing improvement for students of Writing Project Teachers. Results of nine studies in five states demonstrate positive effects on the writing achievement of students of writing project teachers across a range of grade levels, schools, and contexts. Read more.
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Mission Statement
Project Leadership
Programs
How to Get Involved
The Western Pennsylvania Writing Project (WPWP) works to improve the
teaching and learning of writing in area schools and communities. The
Project engages teachers in their own writing and professional growth
and increases opportunities for young people to develop their writing
abilities. Our programs reflect the following principles:
• Teachers who write are the best teachers of writing
• Successful practicing teachers are the best teachers of other
teachers
• Real classroom change happens over time and requires ongoing sharing and reflection on teaching practices
Here are a few faces of WPWP's leadership in alphabetical order. If you'd like to reach any of the following people, contact us at the WPWP office.
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Nancy Addy
Project Co-Director
(Summer Institute 1998) |
Don Biaslostosky
Project Co-Director & Summer Institute
Co-Director
(Summer Institute 2005) |
Beth Voltz
Project Co-Director
(Summer Institute 1985) |
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Cj Coleman
Summer Institute
Co-Director
(Summer Institute 2000)
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Barbara Dahlberg
Chair, Publications Working Group
(Summer Institute 2001)
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Ellen Smith
Council Member
(Summer Institute 2006) |
Jen Ernsthausen
Continuity Coordinator,
(Summer Institute 2000) |
Kathy Giegel
Council Member
(Summer Institute 2006)
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Susan Gradeck
Continuity Coordinator
(Summer Institute 2001) |
Nancy Junker
Coordinator, Young Writers Institute at
Mt. Lebanon
(Summer Institute 2003) |
Matthew Luskey
Director
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Pam McCune
Fellows Council Member, Rural Sites & Rural Continuity Coordinator
(Summer Institute 2004) |
Lucy Ware
Continuity Coordinator
(Summer Institute 1987) |
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Fellows Council members not pictured:
- Marnie Arnold, At-Large Council Member (SI 2003)
- Daniela Buccilli, Dissemination Coordinator, Project Outreach 3 (SI 1995)
- Melissa Butler,Continuity Coordinator (SI 2002)
- Jane Dorman, Political ActionCoordinator (SI 2007)
- Elisa Greb, State Network Team (SI 2008)
- Nicole Homich, State Network Team (SI 2008)
- Kellee Jenkins (SI 2007)
- Kathy Giegel, Council Member (SI 2006)
- Linda Konczal-Evans, Council Vice-Chair (SI 2005)
- Mara Linaberger, NWP Technology Liaison (SI 2005)
- Dana Mackey, Summer Institute Group (SI 2008)
- Laurel McMahon, Vice Chair (SI 2004)
- Kathy Moran, At-Large Council Member (SI 1999)
- Natalie Pleczynski, Inquiry Groups (SI 2002)
The Western Pennsylvania Writing Project offers four main programs:
Summer Institute for Teachers
The Summer Institute for Teachers is an invitational fellowship program
for experienced teachers to enhance their professional growth and develop
their skills as teacher-leaders. Through personal interview, SIT coordinators
choose twenty teachers drawn from all disciplines and levels, kindergarten
through college. In this intensive four-week course, worth six graduate
credits from the University of Pittsburgh, teachers share their expertise, pursue their own inquiry questions, and reflect, write and develop as teachers and leaders. SIT is traditionally held during the month of July.
School-Based Professional Development
Through workshop series and partnerships with local schools, WPWP’s
professional development programs work with districts to develop strategies
for using writing to strengthen learning in the classroom.
Continuity
Ongoing professional development activities designed and led by Writing Project Fellows sustain a community of teachers, learners and writers. Activities include writing retreats and marathons, publications, inquiry and study groups, site leadership, inquiry and study groups, courses, discussions, celebrations. Additional professional development opportunities are offerred by the National Writing Project and the Pennsylvania Writing Project Network.
Young Writers Institute
The Young Writers Institute is a two-week summer writing camp for students in grades 4-12
in the Pittsburgh area. Students focus on their writing with experienced
teachers and writers.
Teachers enter the Writing Project by completing the invitational Summer Institute.
Through the Summer Institute, teachers become Fellows
(members) of WPWP and members of the National Writing Project network. Fellows
bring enhanced practices and resources to their school districts. They have ongoing opportunities to continue their professional development through WPWP through writing workshops, courses and other writing activities, teaching in the Young Writers
Institute, classroom inquiry and reflection, providing professional devlopment services to teachers, and guiding and shaping
WPWP’s programs through working groups and Fellows Council. Most importantly, they become part of a professional community centered on teaching and writing to improve learning and student achievement.
