2010 KMWP Summer Institute Video Reflection
2009 KMWP Summer Institute Video Reflection
Dear Colleagues,
I would like to tell you about a wonderful experience that has permanently changed my attitude toward writing and the teaching of writing: the Kennesaw Mountain Writing Project. The KMWP is part of a larger organization called the National Writing Project. The NWP serves educators in grades K-20 in promoting excellence in writing and the teaching of writing. The site at Kennesaw State University serves not only those of us who live in the north Georgia metro area but also Atlanta and rural areas, such as where I live in Cherokee County. The inaugural 1994 KMWP Summer Institute of which I was a part included twenty teachers, some with little experience and some with many years. Before the weeks of daily meetings were over, we twenty fellows, along with our leaders, had formed strong ties. There we were, interested deeply in writing and teaching, many feeling they were the only ones in their schools who were interested in going a step beyond the curriculum. We wrote. We watched our leaders demonstrate their best practices in the teaching of writing, and then we did our own presentations. We published a book of our summer’s work. We became Teacher Consultants in the field of teaching writing. We also laughed a lot and cried sometimes at the sharing of someone else’s feelings or of our own. As a member of the rural teaching community, it is invaluable to know that I now have a network of colleagues who share my excitement about writing and teaching. I have shared with fellow teachers in my building the ideas and attitudes I learned at the KMWP, and I continue to grow and learn as a writer and a teacher. I invite you to share in this wonderful experience by participating in the Kennesaw Mountain Writing Project.
Sincerely,
Ruth Cipolla, 1994 KMWP Fellow
Comments From Recent Summer Institute Fellows
"I am most proud of my growth as a writer, the collegial support in this institute, and [affirmations] of my demonstration lesson. The experience has already impacted me personally as I have seen myself grow in the way I look at myself as a writer, a teacher, and a person. The goals I am setting for myself are to continue to stay positive about my teaching despite the negativity that may surround me at my school, to continue reading professionally, to continue reflecting and journaling."
"Through my [summer] experience, I have learned many wonderful writing strategies that I believe will greatly impact my teaching practices starting next school year."
"I realized that I could write! Now I need to apply all that I’ve learned [from my KMWP experience] to my teaching. I feel energized and ready to go."
"Writing for my peers will bring more authenticity to my teaching, and I can see how writing for the public (publishing) could be a paradigm-shifting experience."
"I'd like to be working in a leadership position, not restricted to [grade levels]; to be published; to learn to do teacher in-services; to be important to others as a mentor."
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Kennesaw Mountain Writing Project
Building 27, Box 2701 | Kennesaw State University | 1000 Chastain Road
Kennesaw, Georgia 30144-5591
Phone: (678) 797-2170 | Fax: (770) 499-3203