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center for writing | minnesota writing project | lake superior writing project | 2012 mini-institute

Lake Superior Writing Project 2012 Mini-Institute

We welcomed 12 regional teachers to join our strong and supportive teacher network here in northeastern Minnesota and northwestern Wisconsin. In fact, one 5th grade teacher, Kathy Notebloom, came all the way from Bayfield, Wisconsin. This would have to be our most diverse mini-institute so far, having a smattering of K-12 regional teachers, a math tutor who is crazy about writing, two education professors who “found their voice,” UMD’s art educator from the Tweed Museum, and a writing teacher from UMD.

Together, they created a rich collaborative of curious and engaged educators eager to find their writing voice again. Rocks and weather seemed to be thematic throughout our week of writing and presenting classroom practice. We also spend a day in the Tweed Museum of Art. While this was not an intended part of our week’s schedule, we all agreed it was a rich and valuable change in venues.

One highlight of our week was having our own Meridel Kahl (LSWP ’10) present ideas from her own classroom practice. Meridel currently teaches English Education and Writing courses at the College of Saint Scholastica. Prior to coming to higher ed, she taught middle and high school English for many years. Meridel took us through many valuable ideas to promote ownership and authenticity in the writing classroom.