Professional Development: Nebraska Writing Project Summer Courses

The semester is nearing an end; that means it's time to start thinking about summer professional development opportunities!

Hands down, the best professional development opportunity I've had as a teacher is through the Nebraska Writing Project (NeWP). The NeWP instilled in me the importance of professional inquiry, gave me a network of quality teachers around the state and country to consult with and learn from, helped me to improve my teaching skills in a way that puts students first, and has helped develop my leadership and writing skills. The NeWP has two courses this summer that are open to K-16 teachers in ANY content area:

1. The Lincoln Summer Institute will be held on UNL's campus from June 4-June 29. Participants may qualify for up to a $750 stipend to offset the cost of 6 UNL grad. credits in the Teaching, Learning, and Teacher Education or English department.

2. The Humanities Institute (which has a focus on social justice this year) will also be held on UNL's campus from June 4-June 22. This course counts for 3 UNL grad. credits in the Teaching, Learning, and Teacher Education or English department.

Interested in learning more? Check out this link or send me an email. Below is information about the Nebraska Writing Project.

About the NeWP:
The Nebraska Writing Project (NeWP) is in its 34th year of existence and is under the direction of Dr. Robert Brooke of UNL who is assisted by three co-directors: Mary Birky of Papillion La-Vista High School, Dan Boster of Ralston High School, and Beverly Hoisted of Pyrtle Elementary in Lincoln. The NeWP is the state affiliate of the National Writing Project, a federally funded network of teachers that works to improve students' writing abilities by promoting teacher development through summer institutes, year-long continuity and school in-service programs. (more about the National Writing Project)

Mission Statement of the NeWP:
The Nebraska Writing Project, a network of professional educators and affiliated writers, provides opportunities to improve, enhance and celebrate writing for classrooms and communities across Nebraska.