How can reflecting on my teaching help me ask questions to improve my practice?
Summer Leadership Institute
Summer Leadership Institute July 8 – July 26, 2024
The Western Massachusetts Writing Project’s annual Summer Leadership Institute will bring together outstanding teachers who work with students in all academic content areas and at all grade levels, PK–college. Supported by the WMWP facilitators and each other, these teachers will spend three weeks immersed in writing, reading, and teacher inquiry, ultimately returning to their schools as WMWP Teacher-Consultants. In this capacity they may contribute to the professional growth of their colleagues; earn extra income leading workshops and courses in area schools for WMWP; and present their research in local, regional, and national venues. In this way, the Summer Leadership Institute represents the first leg in what thousands of National Writing Project teachers around the country have described as a career-transforming journey.
As participants, teachers will engage in their own writing to explore ways to use writing more meaningfully in their classrooms. They will participate in a collaborative inquiry community: reading current theory and research, engaging in classroom-based action research, and presenting a professional workshop.
Inquiry will focus on the following themes:
CLASSROOM INQUIRY:
REFLECTION AND IMPLEMENTATION:
How do I navigate unfettered student access to technology such as ChatGPT in my teaching practice? How can teachers use technology productively to encourage equitable outcomes?
LANGUAGE AND POWER:
How can language be used in a classroom to empower or disempower students? How can students’ native languages be valued in school?
LITERACY AND LEARNING:
How can I help students become more confident and effective writers and readers? What writing-to-learn and critical reading strategies can I use to help my students develop their content knowledge and understanding?
2024 SLI Facilitators
Jen DiGrazia and Joe Courchesne.
Fast Facts
Orientation Day: Tuesday, June 4 via zoom from 5-7
Summer Institute: Monday–Thursday, July 8-11 and July 15-18
Monday–Friday, July 22-26 from 9:00 a.m.–3:00 p.m.
School-year Follow-up Meetings: October, January, and April, dates to be determined.
YOU GET: 135 PDPs (total for summer and school-year program) $750.00 Or
6 graduate credits (at $1,194 per 3 credit course=$2,388 for both SLI and Action Research courses)
COST: We encourage you to work with your school district to cover this registration fee and invest in you as a teacher leader. Please reach out to discuss economic need if it prohibits you from participation.
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WHO
PK through college teachers & content specialists in all disciplines
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WHAT
The best professional development you have ever experienced
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WHERE
Westfield State University
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WHY
To grow as a writer, researcher, and presenter
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Membership
in the WMWP and National Writing Project educator networks
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Preparation to lead
professional development programs as a paid teacher-consultant
“This program made me feel more confident as a teacher, writer, and presenter.”
“This was the best PD ever. I think it really elevates the profession… teaching is not a 9-5; it is a vocation. Some educators might lose sight of that when they are bogged down with the politics of their schools. This institute was just a great opportunity to talk with other educators and reflect on our profession. This is vital to our practice.”
“I have concrete strategies to try in the classroom. It was amazing to have a chance to really reflect on my work outside of the school year. I am so glad I did the SLI!”
“I would tell others that no matter what their subject area is, they would benefit … SLI is helpful for all teachers."
— Past SLI participants
Ready to grow as a teacher-leader?
Are you eager to strengthen literacy practices in your classroom to enable students to understand the content more thoroughly and express themselves more effectively? If so, apply to the Summer Leadership Institute today!
Contact Us
Joe Courchesne
Co-Director