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mwp invitational summer institute

Link to past summer institutes"Returning to writing and a writing group has reminded me of the passion I have always had for the power of the written word. I know that I will return to my classroom this fall inspired and ready to inspire my students." --Summer Institute participant

The institute is a three-week, intensive summer course held at the University of Minnesota. Teachers (K-college) are invited to share best practices, engage in critical discussions, conduct research into current theories of literacy and pedagogy, and improve their own skills as writers. Invited Fellows receive university credit, a stipend to help defray their costs, and the benefit of attending a paid, three-day retreat prior to the on-campus experience.

specifics

Dates: 
Retreat             June 27-28, 2012
Institute           July 9-27, 2012 

The MWP Invitational Summer Institute is the heart of the project. Its purposes are

  1. to identify successful teachers of writing across all curriculum areas who will be effective teachers of other teachers
  2. to identify approaches to the teaching of writing and the uses of writing-to-learn in all subject areas that have been successful in real classrooms and that add to the profession’s knowledge
  3. to involve successful teachers in their own writing so that they can better help their students
  4. to make current research in the teaching of writing available to teachers 

While the key elements of the Summer Institute: writing, teaching demonstrations, and literacy study groups, are introduced during the retreat, it is during the three-week institute that we further develop and follow through with this literacy work. 

the institute offers participants the opportunity to

learn from other teachers about the teaching of writing

anticipate challenges for teaching in the future: authentic assessment, multicultural writing concerns, computer-assisted instruction, collaborative learning, whole language, writing across the curriculum, the needs of diverse populations

discover more about your own writing process

become part of a community of teacher-writers

explore current theory and practice in the teaching of writing

consider ways you can share your strengths with other teachers as a consultant

spend a significant portion of time at the Institute honing your skills as writers (an anthology of creative and action research pieces is published)

earn graduate credit through the University of Minnesota; CEUs also available 

application information: 

If a current member of MWP is familiar with your teaching, that person may obtain a Nomination form from MWP for you. Otherwise, you may apply yourself by sending us, in a single envelope, all the items listed below:

1. A brief resume

2. Supporting letters from

  • a teacher colleague
  • a principal, supervisor, or department head

3. A letter of application in which you describe:

  • your beliefs about the teaching of writing literacy instruction, including attention to meeting the needs of diverse learners or writing in the content areas, if applicable
  • what goes on in your classroom that is evidence of your beliefs
  • your special interests and strengths in the teaching of writing
  • what you hope to gain from your participation in the Institute
  • how your experience will benefit your school, district, or college

deadline for applications:

Applications are now being accepted for the 2012 Invitational Summer Institute.
DEADLINE: March 1, 2012.
If necessary, interviews will be conducted in March.

mail applications to:

Minnesota Writing Project
10 Nicholson Hall, U of MN
216 Pillsbury Drive, S.E.
Minneapolis, MN 55455

For the Invitational Summer Institute, we can only consider applicants who are available for the entire program (July 9-27) and the Retreat (June 27-28).   

Download the 2012 Summer Institute brochure.

past summer institutes

Learn more about past summer institute participants, their writing, and their teaching.