Nourishing Your Teacher Soul
When your “to-do” list is super long at back-to-school time, should you take time for poetry, writing and friends? A resounding yes! How are you making time to nourish your teacher soul during these challenging times?
Out of the Classroom and Into the World: Workshop by Katherine Schulten
What are the educational issues calling your name? How can you use writing to share about your teaching experiences? A Long Island Writing Project workshop, facilitated by Katherine Schulten, inspired me to keep sharing my teaching stories.
Finding Your Voice, Telling Your Story
In what ways have you pushed yourself to try a new type of writing or to share your ideas in a public way? In July, I pushed myself to write a keynote speech and learned lessons along the way.
Today is a Great Day to Learn Something New
So, as I enter the start of my school year, I am proud to identify as a lifelong learner in every sense of the word. I am a professional who continuously strives to grow in my craft. I surround myself with people that inspire me to be the best I can be and I actively seek out opportunities to do so as well. I modify and implement what I learn to better my teaching. I learn from my mistakes, take in the advice of others and adjust accordingly. Additionally, I am a curious minded individual who seeks out new experiences, new people, new places and is willing to take risks to better myself. I am leading by example to my students as I follow the mantra hanging in the front of my classroom- “Today is a great day to learn something new!”
Pursue a Passion Project!
How might you use writing to tap into your personal passions? Are you writing a piece that makes you “ache with caring”? And in a chock-full, busy-every-minute life, how can educators find time for writing that is deeply meaningful, with the lens of replicating this experience for students?
Are You Ready For The National Day on Writing 2016?
Next Thursday, October 20th, is the National Day on Writing! Are you ready? Read on for some ideas on how to mark this day with your writers.
Writing: A Path to Become an Intentional Educator
What if there was a way to build in opportunities to reflect, in writing, about my teaching right in the place where the lesson plans reside? And what if that place could also offer daily inspiration and opportunities to set positive intentions for the week ahead?
When Revision Doesn’t Work
I used to think professional workshops were where you would go to get answers, but now I know that the best ones are where you find more questions.
Should Educators Be Writers?
Is it important that teachers who teach writing actually write?
Heartfelt Gifts: Writing Presents
My favorite gifts to give are the ones that have come from my heart and my pen!
Many Ways to Use “I am” Poems!
Don’t shy away from the formulaic “I am” poem! There are so many possibilities…
In Thanks: Books That Built a Writing Teacher
What are the books that have shaped you as a teacher of writing? Reflecting today, in thanks, for the authors and books that have influenced my life as a teacher.
A Tale of Teachers: Collaboration, Community, Connection
Once upon a time, there was a teacher who became a better teacher by connecting with other passionate educators…
Give Heart Maps a Rest! Try Writing Territory Maps
The heart map is a great tool for helping students find personally meaningful topics, but used year after year, it might feel a little stale. Writing territory maps is another option!
Independent Writing: 10 Ways to Get Students Published in the Real World
Some students want to write more than what is required of them in writing workshop. Enter independent writing projects! But how do you go from being another set of eyes on some additional writing a student does to helping him/her go public with their work?
NWP: Call for Action
The education funding bill that relates to the National Writing Project (NWP) will be marked up in the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee this week. Please contact your senators to request continued … Continue Reading NWP: Call for Action
Save the NWP!
On February 1, the Obama administration released its 2011 budget proposal. In this proposed budget, funding for the NWP is consolidated with five other literacy programs under a new … Continue Reading Save the NWP!
Stimulus Dollars + Writing Instruction
I, clearly, love the idea Mary Tedrow proposes in her article about investing money in quality writing instruction for our Nation’s students. Please read this article about spending stimulus dollars … Continue Reading Stimulus Dollars + Writing Instruction
Letters to the Next President
FYI: The National Writing Project and Google are sponsoring a letter-writing campaign for high school students to send letters to the presidential candidates. (WHY NOT ELEMENTARY AND MIDDLE SCHOOLERS? I … Continue Reading Letters to the Next President
Great Resources at NWP.org
I was perusing the National Writing Project’s Website and came across several pages, all under the heading of “Encourage Writing” which you might find as useful as I did with … Continue Reading Great Resources at NWP.org
TWO WRITING TEACHERS 