The Appalachian Writing Project is Now Accepting Applications

The Appalachian Writing Project is now accepting nominations for and applications from outstanding teachers in our service region who may be invited to attend the 2003 Invitational Summer Writing Institute to be held June 25-July 18 on the campus of UVa-Wise. The institute offers teachers resources and workshops for deepening their knowledge about the teaching of writing and literacy issues, as well as an opportunity to grow as writers. The core beliefs of the project are that: writing is pivotal to learning, academic achievement, and job success; writing instruction begins in kindergarten and continues through university; universities and schools in collaboration can provide powerful programs for teachers; effective teachers of writing regularly write themselves; exemplary teachers make the best teachers of other teachers; teachers are the key to education reform; professional development should continue throughout a teacher's career; writing is fundamental to learning in all subjects; real change in classroom practice happens over time.

Teachers who are accepted into the institute receive a choice between full tuition scholarship for six credit hours and/or recertification points, books, a modest stipend to defray expenses, and membership into the Appalachian Writing Project as Teacher Consultants trained to provide in-service to southwest Virginia teachers. We are affiliated with the National Writing Project, and serve as one of eight sites in the state of Virginia.

Certified teachers K-college in all disciplines may be nominated or may apply but only teachers in current positions will be considered. Applications may be found on the AWP web site at www.uvawise.edu/awp or by contacting the Center for Teaching Excellence at 376-4528. To nominate an outstanding teacher, please forward the teacherÕs name, school where he/she is employed, and an address (if you have one) to Amy Clark, 122 Zehmer Hall, UVa-Wise, Wise, Va. 24293 or via email at aclark@virginia.edu. We especially encourage nominations of teachers with teaching experience in the sciences, special education, math, and middle/elementary levels.

The deadline for applications is April 4, 2003.