Here are five reasons why teachers should attend our Weekend Writing Retreat:
NWP PD Works
National Writing Project professional development is among the most powerful and effective available today. National studies have shown that the students of NWP teachers outperform the students of non-NWP teachers on tests and are more competent and confident writers in general. These studies demonstrate that professional development programs designed and delivered by NWP sites have a positive effect on the writing achievement of students across grade levels, schools, and contexts. Ask the writing project teachers in your school for their personal testimonials.
KWP PD Improves Writing Instruction
NWP methods have also been proven effective here in Kentucky. A study performed by Terry Hibpshman and Kim Walters-Parker of the Kentucky Education Professional Standards Board (2012) found that “more effective teachers of writing were more likely to have participated in programs of the National Writing Project” and argued “it seems clear that participation in these activities may be the single most attractive mechanism for improving the quality of writing instruction, both for teacher candidates and for teachers already in the classroom.” Ask the writing project teachers in your school for their personal testimonials.
Practical Professional Development
Every weekend writing retreat includes writing activities that teachers can then take back to their classrooms. Teachers actively engage in these writing activities and create models they can use in their classrooms. Ask the writing project teachers in your school for their personal testimonials.
Writing Teachers Must Write
We must be the thing that we teach. If we teach writing then we must write. If we want to create writers then we must be writers. This position is endorsed by the profession, research, and reputable professional organizations such as NCTE and is aptly described in this 2012 Atlantic article “The Best Writing Teachers Are Writers Themselves.” Ask the writing project teachers in your school for their personal testimonials.
Teachers Need Renewal
Teacher burnout is a real and growing problem. Administrators and teachers cannot change the prevailing national and state focus on testing and accountability, but as we head into testing season we can help our teachers reconnect with their profession and purpose in powerful and meaningful ways. Ask the writing project teachers in your school for their personal testimonials.